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Background

Applying coordinate planes to physical VEX GO pieces will give students the ability to visually see mathematical concepts and apply those same concepts to a real world challenge. In this Unit, students will construct the Battle Boats game plotting pins and beams onto a coordinate plane. Using the VEX GO pieces, students will apply mathematical concepts to an authentic challenge that allows students to be a participant in learning about this math concept.

What is a Coordinate Plane?

A coordinate plane is a two-dimensional plane formed by the intersection of a vertical line called y-axis and a horizontal line called x-axis. These are perpendicular lines that intersect each other at zero, and this point is called the origin. The axes cut the coordinate plane into four equal sections, and each section is known as quadrant. In the VEX GO Battle Boats build, the coordinate plane has a Y axis that is labeled with letters A-E and the X axis is labeled with 1-5.

The front of the Battle Boats build, showing the paper addition of the points on a grid, with boats added with VEX GO pieces on the left, and pins indicating guesses on the right. Across the top an arrow pointing to the right is labeled X Axis. Down the left side, an arrow pointing downward is labeled Y Axis.

How Do I Plot Points?

Using both the top of the coordinate plane display 1-5 and the left side displaying A-E, you can plot a point such as A1 on the VEX GO build using a Red Pin, Green Pin, or Blue Standoff. Coordinate planes use numbers, letters or other symbols for people to describe a location without using words. Plotting points using VEX GO pieces allows students to see how you can describe a location using a pin instead of words. Using different colored pins also allows students to visually see how they missed a calculation by using a standoff piece or using a Red Pin if they correctly plotted a point. Using different colors and shapes, students will visually implement their knowledge of a coordinate plane.

 

To the left, a red pin from the VEX GO Kit, and to the right a blue standoff from the Kit, indicating using different colored pieces to denote hits and misses when playing the game.

 

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions About Coordinate Planes

  • When learning coordinate planes, students find the order of plotting a point to be the most challenging aspect. A reminder of the order in ordered pairs will help students when plotting points on a coordinate plane. In labeling points on a coordinate plane, the x-coordinate is given first, and then the y-coordinate. With the Battle Boats game, the x-coordinate 1-5 is first and the y-coordinate A-E is second. An example of labeling is 3C or 2E. Adding additional practice and discussion for students will help strengthen the application of these coordinate plane skills.