Virginia SOL 8.MG.3.d
The Standard
Sketch the image of a polygon that has been translated vertically, horizontally, or a combination of both.
Virginia Standards of Learning for Mathematics · The student will apply translations and reflections to polygons in the coordinate plane.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students move every vertex of a polygon the same horizontal and vertical distance on a coordinate grid. They plot the image and describe how each coordinate changes.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students correctly plot every new vertex after a horizontal, vertical, or combined move. The image keeps the same size and orientation, and students can state the coordinate rule used.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may reverse left and right signs or change the wrong coordinate. Some move each vertex differently, change the polygon’s size, or confuse a translation with a reflection.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Plot A(1, 2), B(4, 2), and C(2, 5), then move the triangle 3 units left and 4 units down. List the new coordinates.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Place a traced polygon on transparent grid paper, slide it by a given move, then record each original and new vertex.
Ask students to explain in writing why moving 5 units right changes only the x-coordinate.
Play translation match: students pair cards showing a polygon, a movement rule, and the correct image coordinates.
Map a video game character’s movement on a coordinate grid, then write the translation rule for each move.
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Related Standards
- 8.MG.3.e
Sketch the image of a polygon that has been reflected over the x- or y-axis.
- 8.MG.3.a
Given a preimage in the coordinate plane, identify the coordinates of the image of a polygon that has been translated vertically, horizontally, or a combination...
- 8.MG.3.f
Sketch the image of a polygon that has been translated and reflected over the x- or y-axis, or reflected over the x- or y-axis and then translated.
- 8.MG.3.c
Given a preimage in the coordinate plane, identify the coordinates of the image of a polygon that has been translated and reflected over the x- or y-axis or ref...
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