How to Use the Coordinate Plane
An ordered pair (x, y) tells how far over and how far up a point is from the origin.
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How to do it
- Start at the origin, (0, 0).
- Go over (right) the first number, x.
- Then go up the second number, y.
Teaching tip
Have your student trace the path with a finger, over first and then up, before putting down the dot. This sheet is aligned with Common Core 5.G.A.1.
About this chart
The x-axis, the y-axis and the origin, with (3, 5) plotted by going over 3 and up 5, and (5, 3) shown to see why order matters.
What kids practice
The coordinate plane is a grid made by two number lines, the x-axis going across and the y-axis going up. They meet at the origin, (0, 0). An ordered pair like (3, 5) tells how to find a point: go over 3, then up 5. Students name and plot points, graph two patterns as ordered pairs, and use a grid map to find places and distances.
Watch for
- Going up first and then over, so (3, 5) lands at (5, 3).
- Counting the lines from 1 instead of 0.
- Putting a point in a square instead of where two lines cross.
- Forgetting that a point on an axis has a 0, like (4, 0).
It's free to print, as many copies as you need. See the full the coordinate plane guide for 5th grade.
More sheets in this set
2. Name the PointLettered points on a grid to name with ordered pairs. Fewer has 6 points on a 0 to 6 grid, Standard has 8 on a 0 to 10 grid, and More has 12, including points on the axes. Includes an answer key.
3. Plot the PointsOrdered pairs to plot and label on a grid. Fewer has 6 points on a 0 to 6 grid, Standard has 8 on a 0 to 10 grid, and More has points to connect in order to make a shape. The answer key shows every point.
4. Two Patterns, One GraphTwo number patterns with different rules, like add 2 and add 4, to finish, turn into ordered pairs and graph. Fewer gives the first three terms, Standard gives the first two, and More gives one and has six terms. Includes an answer key.
5. Map ProblemsA park map on a coordinate grid with questions about where places are, what is at a point, and how far apart two places are. Fewer has 4 questions, Standard has 6 and More has 8. Includes an answer key.