Coordinate map: signs tell a story

Grade 6 mathematics · 15 minutes · Coordinate plane

Plot points in four quadrants and use coordinates to reason about horizontal and vertical distances.

Classroom activity

Use squared paper with axes from −5 to 5. A park is at P(−3, 2), a library at L(4, 2), and a cafe at C(−3, −4). One grid unit represents one block.

1. Plot and label each place. Explain what each coordinate tells you.
2. Find the distance from the park to the library along the horizontal street.
3. Find the vertical distance from the park to the cafe.
4. Mark a point reflected across the y-axis from the park. Describe what changed and what stayed the same.

Check each plot with a partner before calculating distances.

Check understanding

Plot A(−2, −1) and B(−2, 3). How far apart are they? Which coordinate stays the same?

Teacher guide and answers

P to L is 7 blocks; P to C is 6 blocks. The reflection of P is (3, 2): the x-coordinate changes sign. In the check, the distance is 4 units and x = −2 stays fixed. Support by tracing x first, then y. These tasks concern aligned points; they do not require diagonal-distance formulas.

You may use, print, adapt, and share this example for teaching. Keep the ClassLattice attribution when redistributing the original.

Grade 6 topic reference. Confirm your adopted standards; topic guidance does not certify alignment.