In Math 6, we've been working with negative numbers (first integers, now rational numbers) on number lines and on the coordinate plane (x/y graphs). Most kids catch on to the way coordinate planes are set up pretty quickly, but it takes some practice to get the hang of plotting points in all four quadrants.
I had students make their own graphs that included points in all 4 quadrants, with some or all points connected. They recorded the coordinates of the points so they could read them to another student, who would make the graph using the first student's instructions of which points to connect. The first student's picture stayed hidden so that it was only gradually revealed to the second student as they graphed.
Of course da Vinci students made this WAY more fun, and better practice too, than any pre-produced worksheet would have been. Here are some examples:
I had students make their own graphs that included points in all 4 quadrants, with some or all points connected. They recorded the coordinates of the points so they could read them to another student, who would make the graph using the first student's instructions of which points to connect. The first student's picture stayed hidden so that it was only gradually revealed to the second student as they graphed.
Of course da Vinci students made this WAY more fun, and better practice too, than any pre-produced worksheet would have been. Here are some examples:
 |  Vince's original picture and coordinates on the left, and Eli's reproduction made by plotting those points under Vince's instructions on the right. |
 |  Eli's original on left, Vince's reproduction on right. |
Emma, aka Nico, could design emojis, don't you think?
On the right, Jack plotted points and made a duck using Gabe's instructions. As Jack got ready to read his instructions for his own hidden picture on the left to Gabe, he told him, "Mine's not as cool as yours; it's just a word," and smirked. Gabe said later he got to W-O-R and then got the joke!
PS If you want to see what the math goals for this activity look like in Common Core language, here are the main standards addressed:
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.NS.C.6.B
Understand signs of numbers in ordered pairs as indicating locations in quadrants of the coordinate plane; recognize that when two ordered pairs differ only by signs, the locations of the points are related by reflections across one or both axes.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.NS.C.6.C
Find and position integers and other rational numbers on a horizontal or vertical number line diagram; find and position pairs of integers and other rational numbers on a coordinate plane.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.NS.C.6.B
Understand signs of numbers in ordered pairs as indicating locations in quadrants of the coordinate plane; recognize that when two ordered pairs differ only by signs, the locations of the points are related by reflections across one or both axes.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.NS.C.6.C
Find and position integers and other rational numbers on a horizontal or vertical number line diagram; find and position pairs of integers and other rational numbers on a coordinate plane.
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