teaching resource

Cartesian Plane Mystery Pictures

Updated: 25 May 2023

Practise graphing on the Cartesian plane with this set of differentiated mystery pictures.

Editable: Google Slides
Non-Editable: PDF
Pages: 1 Page
Years: 5 - 6
Differentiated: Yes

Curriculum

VC2M6N01

Recognise situations, including financial contexts, that use integers; locate and represent integers on a number line and as coordinates on the Cartesian plane <ul> <li>extending the number line in the negative direction to locate and represent integers, recognising the difference in location between (−2) and (+2) and their relationship to zero as −2 < 0 < 2</li> <li>using integers to represent quantities in financial contexts, including the concept of profit and loss for a planned event</li> <li>using horizontal and vertical number lines to represent and find solutions to everyday problems involving locating and ordering integers around zero (for example, elevators, above and below sea level) and distinguishing a location by referencing the 4 quadrants of the Cartesian plane</li> <li>recognising that the sign (positive or negative) indicates a direction in relation to zero – for example, 30 metres left of the admin block is (−30) and 20 metres right of the admin block is (+20) – and programming robots to move along a number line that is either horizontal or vertical but not both at the same time</li> <li>representing the temperatures of the different planets in the solar system, using a diagram of a thermometer that models a vertical number line</li> </ul>
VC2M6SP02

Locate points in the 4 quadrants of the Cartesian plane; describe changes to the coordinates when a point is moved to a different position in the plane <ul> <li>understanding that the Cartesian plane provides a graphical or visual way of describing location with respect to a fixed origin</li> <li>understanding that the axes are number lines that can have different scales, including fractions and decimals, depending on purpose</li> <li>understanding that the horizontal coordinate is written first and is changed if there is a move to the left or right, whereas a move up or down will change the vertical coordinate</li> <li>using the Cartesian plane to draw lines and polygons, listing coordinates in the correct order to complete a polygon</li> <li>investigating and connecting land or star maps used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples with the Cartesian plane through a graphical or visual way of describing location</li> </ul>

teaching resource

Cartesian Plane Mystery Pictures

Updated: 25 May 2023

Practise graphing on the Cartesian plane with this set of differentiated mystery pictures.

Editable: Google Slides
Non-Editable: PDF
Pages: 1 Page
Years: 5 - 6
Differentiated: Yes

Practise graphing on the Cartesian plane with this set of differentiated mystery pictures.

Teach the Cartesian Plane With Mystery Pictures

With this set of differentiated Cartesian plane mystery pictures, students will plot coordinates, connecting them in order. When all lines are complete, a message is revealed. Students can complete multiple messages as there are 3 options. Teachers can ensure that students have different messages than their neighbours or differentiate based on difficulty. The hand lens next to the title indicates the difficulty level.

Level 1: All coordinates are within the first quadrant. There are 41 points to plot.
Level 2: All coordinates are within the first quadrant. There are 88 points to plot.
Level 3: Coordinates are in all four quadrants. There are 99 points to plot.

Each worksheet also has a version that includes numbers along the x and y-axis as well as a blank version.

An answer key is included with your download to make grading fast and easy!

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding

In addition to independent student work time, use these worksheets as an activity for:

Maths groups
Lesson wrap-up
Fast finishers
Homework assignments
Whole-class review (via digital whiteboard )

If your students master all 3 pictures, have them create their own mystery messages and trade with partners!

For students who need additional support, consider reading the coordinates aloud to the student and guiding them through connecting the points in the right order. Additionally, provide notes with reminders about plotting coordinates showing that the first coordinate indicates horizontal movement and the second coordinate indicates vertical movement.

🖨️ Easily Download & Print

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or editable Google Slides version of this resource.

Sustainability Tip: Print this resource on cardboard and slip it into a dry-erase sleeve. Students can plot the points with a whiteboard marker, then erase and reuse them.

This resource was created by Lorin Davies, a Teach Starter Collaborator.

Additional Cartesian Plane Activities

Keep your Cartesian plane unit going strong with more resources your students are sure to enjoy!

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Cartesian Planes and Graphing – Vocabulary Cards

Introduce cartesian planes to your students with this set of 18 vocabulary cards.

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Graphing on the Cartesian Plane Teaching Slides

Teach your students how to plot points on a graph using ordered pairs from input-output tables with this set of teaching slides.

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Cartesian Plane Coordinates Matching Activity

Practise identifying coordinates and describing the process for graphing with a year 6 matching activity.

Curriculum

VC2M6N01

Recognise situations, including financial contexts, that use integers; locate and represent integers on a number line and as coordinates on the Cartesian plane <ul> <li>extending the number line in the negative direction to locate and represent integers, recognising the difference in location between (−2) and (+2) and their relationship to zero as −2 < 0 < 2</li> <li>using integers to represent quantities in financial contexts, including the concept of profit and loss for a planned event</li> <li>using horizontal and vertical number lines to represent and find solutions to everyday problems involving locating and ordering integers around zero (for example, elevators, above and below sea level) and distinguishing a location by referencing the 4 quadrants of the Cartesian plane</li> <li>recognising that the sign (positive or negative) indicates a direction in relation to zero – for example, 30 metres left of the admin block is (−30) and 20 metres right of the admin block is (+20) – and programming robots to move along a number line that is either horizontal or vertical but not both at the same time</li> <li>representing the temperatures of the different planets in the solar system, using a diagram of a thermometer that models a vertical number line</li> </ul>
VC2M6SP02

Locate points in the 4 quadrants of the Cartesian plane; describe changes to the coordinates when a point is moved to a different position in the plane <ul> <li>understanding that the Cartesian plane provides a graphical or visual way of describing location with respect to a fixed origin</li> <li>understanding that the axes are number lines that can have different scales, including fractions and decimals, depending on purpose</li> <li>understanding that the horizontal coordinate is written first and is changed if there is a move to the left or right, whereas a move up or down will change the vertical coordinate</li> <li>using the Cartesian plane to draw lines and polygons, listing coordinates in the correct order to complete a polygon</li> <li>investigating and connecting land or star maps used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples with the Cartesian plane through a graphical or visual way of describing location</li> </ul>

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