"I teach this lesson as an introduction to coordinate planes," Larson said. "I used masking tape to make a giant coordinate grid on the floor of the hallway."

 

Students were given index cards with an ordered pair written on it. Then the students located the point by standing on the correct coordinate.

 

"For the next activity, I placed 5 objects on the coordinate plane, such as a ball or stuffed animal, and the students had to write down the coordinates of each object," explained Larson. "The students loved the activity. They enjoyed being outside of the traditional classroom and engaging in hands-on learning in order to absorb something new."

 

Larson said she loves to incorporate engaging projects and activities to keep her student's mind working and sharp. 

 

"Students remember what they have learned from this lesson because they actually experienced it by walking on a giant coordinate plane," Larson said. "The activity lasted maybe 30 minutes, but in that short period of time students learned new vocabulary such as axis, origin, ordered pairs, and coordinates. After only 30 minutes the students were able to read and write coordinates on a grid competently."

 

Larson said this activity was all part of the Tigers framework that the Frenship Curriculum and Instruction team helps put into place inside classrooms across the District. Larson explained that this was just taking it a step above to ensure comprehension from students.

 

"When first seeing the giant coordinate plane, the students are intrigued and curious," Larson said. "They become motivated to learn and understand it’s meaning, purpose, and relevance."