Virginia SOL 6.MG.3.a
The Standard
Identify and label the axes, origin, and quadrants of a coordinate plane.
Virginia Standards of Learning for Mathematics · The student will describe the characteristics of the coordinate plane and graph ordered pairs.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students distinguish the horizontal x-axis from the vertical y-axis and locate their intersection at the origin. They name the four quadrants in counterclockwise order.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can label a blank coordinate plane accurately and independently. The student places quadrant I in the upper right and numbers the remaining quadrants counterclockwise.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may switch the x-axis and y-axis or place the origin anywhere along an axis. They may number the quadrants clockwise or begin somewhere other than the upper right.
How to Assess It
- Give students a blank coordinate plane. Ask them to label both axes, the origin, and quadrants I through IV without notes.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Tape a large coordinate plane on the floor, then have students place axis, origin, and quadrant cards in the correct locations.
Ask students to write directions for labeling a blank coordinate plane, including where quadrant numbering begins and which way it moves.
Play Label Relay: teams take turns adding one correct label to blank coordinate planes, then check against an answer card.
Use a city map divided by two main roads, and have students name each region as a quadrant and mark the intersection.
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Printable 6.MG.3.a Worksheet

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Related Standards
- 6.MG.3.b
Identify and describe the location (quadrant or the axis) of a point given as an ordered pair. Ordered pairs will be limited to coordinates expressed as integer...
- 6.MG.3.c
Graph ordered pairs in the four quadrants and on the axes of a coordinate plane. Ordered pairs will be limited to coordinates expressed as integers.
- 6.MG.3
The student will describe the characteristics of the coordinate plane and graph ordered pairs.
- 6.MG.3.d
Identify ordered pairs represented by points in the four quadrants and on the axes of the coordinate plane. Ordered pairs will be limited to coordinates express...
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