This activity helps students with Cartesian (x,y) coordinates. Students will practice describing objects in mathematical language.

Students will use squared paper, pencil, and rulers.

Using Geometer's Sketch Pad, start with grid and mark the alphabet on it. Students can be given a set of coordinates that produce a word and/or pictures that can be constructed. The grid will have the x-axis and y-axis (although my figure does not show this).

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Thus CAT is (3,4) (1,4) (6,2).

This game can be played many ways.

1. Make up a set of cards with the digits 0 - 7. Draw cards out from a container into which they are returned after each turn. Each pair of cards drawn out represents a coordinate. The first person to make a word or (as a challenge) a sentence wins.

1. Students could work to see which American state or whose name in the classroom had the highest or lowest number.

2. Use a number system in a base other than 10

3. Use simple drawings: a boat could be superimposed on the grid. Students call out the coordinates, paying close attention to the order

4. Students invent their own games