Technology-Connected
Lesson Plan
Title:
Coordinate Graphing with Leaves
Grade Levels:
4th – 8th Grades
Curriculum Areas:
 Math
Measurable Objectives:
 TLW find and identify coordinates of points in a drawing
on graph paper
 TLW solve a graphing puzzle created by another student.
LA Content Standards:
Technology Standards:
Technology Connection:
Procedures:
 {MA.7.29} See Above - Plot points on a coordinate grid in
all 4 quadrants and locate the coordinates of a missing
vertex in a parallelogram
 {MA.8.25} See Above - Predict, draw, and discuss the
resulting changes in lengths, orientation, angle measures,
and coordinates when figures are translated, reflected
across horizontal or vertical lines, and rotated on a grid
 Technology Research Tools (Linking and Generating Knowledge
Foundation Skill)
Students use appropriate technology to locate, evaluate, and
collect information from a variety of sources
 Technology Productivity Tools (Resource Access and
Utilization Foundation Skill)
Students use productivity tools to work collaboratively in
developing technology-rich, authentic, student-centered
products.
 Introduction to Coordinates
http://www.mathsisfun.com/coordinate.html
 Fun Brain – What’s the Point?
http://www.funbrain.com/co/index.html
 General Coordinates Games
http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/General
Coordinates/
 Fall is the perfect time of year to do this coordinate
graphing activity with your students. This lesson makes
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use of beautiful fall leaves as patterns for graphing
coordinates.
 Use the following site to review and/or teach the students
about coordinates.
Introduction to Coordinates
 Have the students choose a simple leaf to trace onto the
graph paper. Ask them to remove the leaf when they have
finished tracing and locate points on the graph that when
connected will create an outline of the leaf's shape. You
may give a range or ideal number of points for students to
identify. (Keep in mind the size of the grid on the graph
paper.) Next, instruct the students to list on a separate
sheet of paper the coordinates (x, y) they have found.
Make sure that they begin with a single point, follow the
outline in order, and end at the same point.
 Hiding their original tracings, have the students exchange
coordinate lists with partners and plot the new lists of
points. By connecting the points in order, they should be
able to recreate a similar leaf shape. When they have
completed their plotting, the students may compare and
correct their graphs and compare the graphs to the
original leaves. Have the students analyze their graphs and
leaves. Are the leaves symmetrical? How do the students'
leaves and graphs differ in size and shape?
Materials:
 Students can visit the following sites to reinforce the
lesson on coordinates;
Fun Brain – What’s the Point?
General Coordinates Games
 Assorted leaves
 Graph paper
 Writing paper
 Pencils
 Colored pencils or markers (optional)
Assessment:
 All graphs should contain the requisite number of
coordinate sets as determined by the teacher, and
students should correct their own work in pairs.
Teacher’s Name:
School:
 Kathy Prine
 C.M. Fagan
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