Illustrative Mathematics Grade 8, Unit 1, Lesson 1: Moving in the Plane


Learning Targets:

  • I can describe how a figure moves and turns to get from one position to another.



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Illustrative Math
Grade 7

Lesson 1: Moving in the Plane

Let’s describe ways figures can move in the plane.

Illustrative Math Unit 8.1, Lesson 1 (printable worksheets)

Lesson 1 Summary

The following diagram describes how a figure moves and turns to get from one position to another.
Moving in the Plane




Lesson 1.1 Which One Doesn’t Belong: Diagrams

Which one doesn’t belong?

Lesson 1.2 Triangle Square Dance

Your teacher will give you three pictures. Each shows a different set of dance moves.

  1. Arrange the three pictures so one of you can see them right way up. Choose who will start the game.
  • The starting player chooses one of the three applets below and describes the dance to the other player.
  • The other player identifies which dance is being talked about: A, B, or C.
  1. After one round, trade roles. When you have described all three dances, come to an agreement on the words you use to describe the moves in each dance.
  2. With your partner, write a description of the moves in each dance.
    Dance A:
    Open Applet
    Dance B:
    Open Applet
    Dance C:
    Open Applet

Are you ready for more?

We could think of each dance as a new dance by running it in reverse, starting in the 6th frame and working backwards to the first.

  1. Pick a dance and describe in words one of these reversed dances.
  2. How do the directions for running your dance in the forward direction and the reverse direction compare?

Lesson 1 Practice Problems

  1. The six frames show a shape’s different positions.
    Describe how the shape moves to get from its position in each frame to the next.
  2. These five frames show a shape’s different positions.
    Describe how the shape moves to get from its position in each frame to the next.
  3. Diego started with this shape.
    Diego moves the shape down, turns it 90 degrees clockwise, then moves the shape to the right. Draw the location of the shape after each move.



The Open Up Resources math curriculum is free to download from the Open Up Resources website and is also available from Illustrative Mathematics.

Try the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice various math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.
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