5th Grade
  • Project
  • 2 weeks

Treasure Trails: Crafting Maps with Creativity and Math

Jodi Antje Garrington
CCSS.Math.Content.5.G.B.4
CCSS.Math.Content.5.G.B.3
CCSS.Math.Content.5.G.A.2
CCSS.Math.Content.5.G.A.1

Purpose

The project aims to engage Grade 5 ELL students in a creative exploration of coordinate planes by designing treasure maps that integrate mathematical concepts with artistic expression. Through hands-on activities, storytelling, and collaboration with a local artist, students will deepen their understanding of graphing points and interpreting coordinates while enhancing their communication and critical thinking skills. By transforming their learning into a tangible product, students will showcase their knowledge in a Map Masters Gallery, fostering a sense of accomplishment and community connection.

Learning goals

The learning goals for this project include understanding and applying the concepts of coordinate planes to create and interpret treasure maps. Students will develop skills in graphing points in the first quadrant and using mathematical language to describe spatial relationships. Additionally, they will enhance their artistic creativity by integrating visual design elements, and improve their collaborative and reflective abilities through peer feedback and critique sessions.
Standards
  • CCSS.Math.Content.5.G.B.4 - Classify two-dimensional figures in a hierarchy based on properties.
  • CCSS.Math.Content.5.G.B.3 - Understand that attributes belonging to a category of two-dimensional figures also belong to all subcategories of that category.
  • 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.
  • 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, with the convention that the names of the two axes and the coordinates correspond (e.g., x-axis and x-coordinate, y-axis and y-coordinate).

Products

Throughout the project, students will create individual treasure maps using coordinate planes, incorporating artistic elements with guidance from a local artist. By the end of the project, each student will contribute to a 'Coordinate Plane Adventure Book,' showcasing their map, a narrative story, and a reflection on their learning journey. Additionally, students will compile a digital portfolio with photos and descriptions of their maps, highlighting their understanding of mathematical concepts and creativity.

Launch

Kick off the project with the "Mystery Map Challenge," where students are presented with a blank map and a set of clues that require them to plot points on a coordinate plane to uncover a hidden message or image. This engaging activity will spark curiosity and set the stage for exploring coordinate planes through a hands-on, collaborative approach.

Exhibition

Transform the classroom into a "Map Masters Gallery," where students proudly display their treasure maps alongside their digital portfolios. Invite parents, community members, and the local artist to explore the gallery, engaging in discussions about the creative and mathematical elements of the maps. Encourage students to present their narratives, explaining the journey and the use of coordinate planes, fostering a sense of accomplishment and community celebration.