Maryland Math 6.NOS.C.7.a
The Standard
- 6.NOS.C.7
- Intersect perpendicular number lines at the point (0,0) as the x-axis and y-axis to introduce the four quadrants of the Coordinate Plane. Represent points on the plane with positive and negative coordinates.
Use understanding of the relationship between signs and value of coordinates in ordered pairs to reason about the location of an ordered pair without plotting.
Maryland College and Career Ready Standards for Mathematics (2025) · APPLY AND EXTEND PREVIOUS UNDERSTANDING OF NUMBERS TO THE SYSTEM OF RATIONAL NUMBERS.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students use the signs and values in an ordered pair to work out its location without plotting it. They name the quadrant or axis and describe how far left, right, up, or down it is from the origin.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Given (-6, 4), a student says it is in quadrant II, six units left and four units up. Given (0, -3), they identify the negative y-axis, not a quadrant.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may read the second number as the horizontal position. They may think any pair with a negative number belongs in quadrant III. Some put points on an axis in a quadrant.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Without drawing a graph, name the quadrant or axis for (-5, 2) and (0, -3). Describe each location from the origin.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Hand out coordinate cards; students sort them into four quadrant trays, two axis trays, or an origin tray without drawing a graph.
Ask, 'How do (-2, 5) and (-2, -5) differ in location, and which coordinate tells you?'
Play location match: students draw coordinate cards, name the quadrant or axis without plotting, and check the answer on the back.
Give a delivery note reading '3 blocks west, 2 blocks north'; students write (-3, 2) and describe its location from city hall.
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Related Standards
- 5.GR.D.6
Define the coordinate system as a pair of perpendicular lines called axes that intersect at the origin. Use understanding that the coordinate values represent t...
- 6.NOS.C.6.c
Recognize and locate opposite signs of rational numbers as indicating locations on opposite sides of 0 on the number line.
- 6.NOS.C.7.b
Locate and interpret the positions of rational numbers on the Coordinate Plane, including how changes in the signs of ordered pairs reflect their location into ...
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