Math in Motion: Eighth Graders Become the Coordinate Plane

Eighth-grade students in Amy Papandreou and Caroline Sugg’s math class recently took their study of graphing linear equations outdoors for an interactive twist on traditional learning.

Instead of plotting points on paper, students became the points themselves—positioning their bodies on a large coordinate plane mapped out on the pavers outside Lindenwold. Working in teams, they raced against one another to correctly form their lines, blending math, movement, and collaboration.

“This activity helps students truly internalize what it means to graph a linear equation,” said Upper School Math Teacher Amy Papandreou. “They’re not just plotting numbers—they’re problem-solving, communicating, and moving through uncertainty together. Often, the team that communicated most effectively ended up winning.”

Graphing linear equations is just the beginning of how students will apply these skills. The concepts they are mastering now will lay the groundwork for future studies in fields like science, social science, and economics, where understanding relationships between variables is key.