Coordinate Planes in Minecraft

CCSS.Math.Content.5.G.A.1 Use a pair of perpendicular number lines, called axes, to define a coordinate system, with the intersection of the lines (the origin) arranged to coincide with the 0 on each line and a given point in the plane located by using an ordered pair of numbers, called its coordinates. Understand that the first number indicates how far to travel from the origin in the direction of one axis, and the second number indicates how far to travel in the direction of the second axis.
CCSS.Math.Content.5.G.A.2 Represent real world and mathematical problems by graphing points in the first quadrant of the coordinate plane, and interpret coordinate values of points in the context of the situation.

Guiding Ideas

1) What is a coordinate plane?

2) Where do we see coordinates? ie Maps, code, chessboard, etc

3) How do we plot points?

4) Can math draw a line?

Student Activities

Getting Started

To begin, have students load the Coordinate Planes Minecraft world.

Part 1) Graphing Points

Students will enter the single player world and find an NPC and a coordinate plane. The NPC will ask the student to graph four points on the coordinate plane using x and y coordinates. There will also be a help video for the students to watch as well.

Students will document their work with a picture in their portfolio and a file from the structure block.

Part 2) Identifying if a Point is on a Line.

After all the students finish problem 1 a door will open leading them to a room with three coordinate planes and lines on the wall. The NPCs will ask a multiple choice questions to identify which of the four points is on the line. The student will answer the question in the NPC and place the point with a diamond block. There will be a help video to assist students as well.

Students will document their work with a picture in their portfolio and a file from the structure block.

Part 3) Functions and Coordinates

The last room the students will be accompanied by a worksheet with three functions. The students will use the functions to generate coordinates, then use those coordinates to graph a line.

Part 3 Help video.

Students will document their work with a picture in their portfolio and a file from the structure block.

Extension Activity

Help Video

Open the Treasure Hunt World and have students enter as they finish. In creative mode, one student will hide a chest filled with treasure and write down the coordinates. Trade your coordinates with a partner go into survival and use the coordinates as a map to find the treasure!

To get into survival mode type /gamemode 0

To get into creative mode type /gamemode 1