Teacher Notes
Overview of Coordinate Grids (45 minutes) > Print/View All Notes
On this page students will learn about coordinate grids. They will use their new knowledge during their simulation as they place pieces of their settlement on the map. You will want to check for understanding and reteach if necessary before moving to the next page. Students will practice using a coordinate grid by completing the activity on pages 10 – 11 in their Engineering Portfolios. Note that page 11 should be printed for students so that they can mark points on the grid.
On page 10 of the Engineering Portfolio, students are asked to plot points on a coordinate grid. An alternate to this activity is to set up your own online graph using the Create a Graph 
website.
Directions for the Create a Graph website: To set up a blank grid, select the XY graph. On the next page, use the side tabs and go to Data. At the bottom of the data page are fields for Minimum and Maximum values for x and y. Put 0 for the minimum and 10 for the maximum for both x and y. Use the Preview tab to see the blank graph. Working with students, help them use the Data page to plot points on the grid. Toggle between Data and Preview to see the grid.
On page 11 of the Engineering Portfolio, students are asked to identify coordinates of symbols on a map. For this activity, consider partnering students or work with students to provide verbal descriptions of the map.
You may also wish to link lessons in your math curriculum on coordinate grids to this activity for further reinforcement and practice.
