Lesson Plan #1: Plotting a Point on the Cartesian Plane

Introduction

9th Grade

40 minutes

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to take a point of the form: (x, y), and graph it on the Cartesian Plane.

Put a point on the whiteboard with its coordinates and put a point on the graph without its coordinates.
- Ask the students to identify the x and y components of the point on the board.
- Ask the students if they can still identify the components of the point that is on the graph.
- Survey the students that already know how to graph a point.

Make sure all students know how to put a point on the number line. If they do not re-explain the procedure.
Start by explaining that a single point has two different coordinates or components.
- The x part or the first number goes with the x-axis or the horizontal axis.
- The y part or the second number goes with the y-axis or the vertical axis.
Show how to plot a point with just an x component. For example plot (3, 0).
Show how to plot a point with just a y component. For example plot (0, 3).
Finally, show the students how to plot a point with both an x and y component. For example show them how to plot (5, 2).

Divided class into two person groups.
Give each set of students about 5 points to graph between the two of them on their own paper.
Ask each group to come up to the board to graph at least one point and explain why they graphed it there.