Pattern Block Coordinates

Curriculum Goal

Compare and order integers, decimal numbers, and fractions, separately and in combination, in various contexts.

Plot and read coordinates in all four quadrants of a Cartesian plane, and describe the translations that move a point from one coordinate to another.

The single player (Hider) secretly places various pattern blocks on their game board (Figure 1). The group of two (Guessers) know which shapes have been used, but not where they have been placed.
The group uses rational numbers (whole numbers, decimals, and fractions) to guess the location of the pattern blocks’ vertices or any point on the coordinate grid that is covered by the pattern block. The goal is to determine the exact location of the shapes.
- The group will mark correct guesses with a red pen, and incorrect guesses with a black pen (Figure 2).

Do students plot and read coordinates in all four quadrants of a Cartesian Plain?
Do students use rational numbers (whole numbers, decimals and fractions) correctly when talking with their partners?

Students practice reading letter-number coordinates by playing a battleship game with a partner.

Students practice performing reflections and translations, whilst using cardinal directions.