Montana Math MT.6.G.3
The Standard
Draw polygons in the coordinate plane given coordinates for the vertices, find the length of a horizontal or vertical side, and apply these techniques to problems in context.
2026 Montana Mathematics Content Standards
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students plot ordered pairs and connect the points in order to make a polygon. They find horizontal and vertical side lengths by counting units or comparing coordinates, then use those lengths in a problem.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student places each vertex in the correct quadrant and closes the shape. They find side lengths even when coordinates are negative and use them to calculate a perimeter.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may swap the x- and y-coordinates or connect vertices in the wrong order. They may count grid lines instead of spaces, or think the distance from -3 to 4 is one unit.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Plot a garden with corners (-3,2), (4,2), (4,-1), and (-3,-1). Find its perimeter in meters and show how you found the side lengths.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Tape a coordinate grid on the floor; have four students stand at given vertices, then connect them with string and count side lengths.
Ask students to explain on a number line why the horizontal distance from x = -3 to x = 4 is seven units.
Give pairs cards with four rectangle vertices; one partner plots and finds the perimeter while the other checks each side length.
Show a scaled park map with a dog run at (-2,1), (4,1), (4,5), (-2,5); have students calculate the fencing needed.
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Printable MT.6.G.3 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to MT.6.G.3, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- MT.3.MD.8
Solve problems in context involving perimeters of polygons, including finding the perimeter given the side lengths, finding an unknown side length, and exhibiti...
- MT.6.NS.8
Graph points in all four quadrants of the coordinate plane and include the use of coordinates and absolute value to find distances between points with the same ...
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