Activity
Cedric’s Cartesian Quest part 2: Critical thinking
Level up the adventure in Cedric’s Cartesian Quest Part 2, where students sharpen their critical thinking, tech skills, and algebraic reasoning to conquer more complex coordinate challenges!
In Part 1, Cedric’s Cartesian Quest introduces students with visual impairments to the enchanted world of the coordinate plane, where they learn to identify the x- and y-axes, plot coordinates and develop the tech skills needed to explore a digital grid. Through this fantasy-themed, screen reader-friendly adventure, students began building essential spatial reasoning and early algebra skills.
In Part 2: we journey deeper into Cedric’s magical realm, where the challenges grow more complex. Students must now hone their directional strategies, solve multi-step coordinate puzzles and sharpen their critical thinking and algebraic reasoning to unlock hidden corners of the map.
App goals
- Reinforce coordinate plane concepts
Support students in understanding and applying ordered pairs on the Cartesian grid. - Build spatial reasoning skills
Strengthen students’ ability to navigate and interpret two-dimensional space—an essential skill in both math and orientation & mobility. - Introduce geometry and symmetry
Engage students in exploring shapes, axis-based symmetry and transformations like reflections. - Encourage problem solving through gameplay
Promote perseverance and mathematical reasoning through narrative-driven quests. - Strengthen critical thinking skills
Help students analyze instructions, evaluate constraints and make strategic decisions—skills essential for completing multi-step quests and solving spatial challenges. - Develop technology skills
Provide meaningful practice with screen reader skills, building confidence using digital tools in an accessible and supportive environment. - Bridge the gap between tactile and digital learning
Help students smoothly transition from tactile graphing experiences to digital coordinate plane environments, laying the foundation for digital graphing tools like Desmos.
Tech skills for intermediate quests
By Quest #5, Cedric’s journey is picking up speed! By this stage, players are expected to use the following intermediate tech skills to complete the challenge:
- Listen closely: Instructions now include multiple coordinates, rules, and gestures. Students must remember each part. Need a refresher? Tap the Help button and swipe up multiple times to replay critical information.
- Master straight-line dragging: Drag a finger horizontally or vertically across the grid. Use audio feedback to confirm your location and alignment.
- Build a mental map: Listen for coordinate clues, remember character/item locations and visualize the grid. Reinforce spatial relationships by dragging a finger to explore key points.
- Use new gestures: Double Tap and hold gesture (activates Cedric’s spell casting).
Note: The quests are sequential and gradually increase in complexity—perfect for building confidence, spatial reasoning and algebraic thinking over time.
Example Quest: #5 – Wielding the Rectangle Spell
Goal: Draw a rectangle on the coordinate plane to trap all three Magma Mites without touching them.
Activity: Cast a rectangle spell by selecting two diagonal corners that form the smallest possible rectangle.
Steps:
- Listen carefully: Hear all three coordinates of the three Magma Mites. For example, if they’re all positive, you know they’re hiding in the top right quadrant.
- Understand the spell rules: The rectangle must not touch the Magma Mites, and it must be the smallest possible size to conserve Cedric’s magical energy.
- Choose wisely: Pick two opposite corners (diagonal vertices) to define the rectangle.
- Cast the spell:
- Double tap and hold (VoiceOver users).
- Drag to the diagonal corner and release.
- Once the rectangle appears, double tap and hold anywhere on the line to complete the spell.
Pro Tip: Set the Number of Plays to more than one. Repeating the quest with new coordinates strengthens tech fluency and critical thinking.
Why critical thinking matters in Cedric’s Quest
Each level of Cedric’s Cartesian Quest is more than a math task—it’s a thinking game. Students must use:
- Multi-step problem solving: Students must remember and apply multiple sets of directions, such as avoiding obstacles or choosing the most efficient path—all of which require logical sequencing and decision-making.
- Spatial reasoning: Students analyze coordinates, visualize shapes (like rectangles or paths), and mentally map the grid. This develops their ability to think abstractly and plan ahead.
- Applying math rules in context: Rather than simply plotting points, students must consider why a certain move or shape is the best choice—strengthening their understanding of geometry, algebra and grid-based logic.
- Adapting to changing challenges: Each quest introduces new rules, layouts or characters, encouraging flexible thinking and persistence—core aspects of critical thinking.
These elements build abstract reasoning, planning and flexible thinking—skills that extend far beyond the screen.
Watch Quest #5 in action
Cedric’s Cartesian Quest #5 video demonstrates the critical thinking process and tech skills needed to succeed in this intermediate-level challenge. Perfect for TSVIs and students using VoiceOver.
Cedric’s Cartesian Quest #5, video:
For students who are learning to build mental maps
If your student is struggling to complete these quests, check their mental mapping ability. Have them recreate the grid on a tactile graphing board—can they accurately place pins where each item is located and complete the quest using tactile tools? For example, in Quest #5, can they place pins to mark the Magma Mite locations and add different pins and a rubber band to create the rectangle around them? This hands-on activity can help determine whether the student is visualizing the coordinate space effectively or needs additional support in developing spatial awareness.
For students who quickly complete the quests
If your student can visualize the characters on the grid and independently complete the activity, it’s time to transfer those skills to a Desmos activity. Have the student recreate the quest setup in Desmos—for example, in Quest #5, they can plot three data points representing the Magma Mites at (1,2), (2,2), and (3,1), then construct a rectangle around those points.
Combining tactile resources, touch screen apps and mainstream digital tools like Desmos creates a powerful, layered approach to learning—supporting students with visual impairments as they build spatial awareness, develop mental maps and transfer skills across platforms – to support math concepts. This blended strategy reinforces concepts through multiple modes of interaction, helping students move confidently from hands-on exploration to independent digital math work.
Resources
The TEAM Initiative is developing a series of step-by-step lessons designed to help students with visual impairments build the skills needed to transition from tactile graphing, to touch screen activities, and finally to digital platforms like Desmos. These lessons provide guided instruction, practice opportunities and accessible strategies that support both educators and students throughout the learning process.
Cedric’s Cartesian Quest series:
- Cedric’s Cartesian Question: Math app part 1
- Cedric’s Cartesian Quest part 2: Critical thinking
- Plot like a wizard: recreating Cedric’s Quest 1 in Desmos
Graphing Concept series:
- Graphing concepts activity 1: Attributes and coordinates
- Graphing concepts activity 2: Plotting points
- Graphing concepts activity 3: Graphing a line
Graph Board to Desmos series:
- Post 1: Setting up Jaws for Desmos
- Post 2: Plotting points and navigating Audio Trace
- Post 3: Representing functions in Desmos
- Input functions into the expression list
- Create tables from functions
- Navigate tables
- Editing expressions
- Sharing a graph
- Math resources: XY Coordinate Pegboards
- Coordinates and Clues: Decode the Desmos riddle (gamified lesson with video tutorial)
- Graph it out! Understanding linear equations with Desmos and JAWS (gamified audio tracing lesson with video tutorial)
The Cedric’s Cartesian Quest post, written by Diane Brauner, was created as part of the TEAM Initiative to support Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVIs) in teaching foundational technology and algebra skills through engaging, accessible math apps. This resource helps students with visual impairments build the tools they need to explore digital coordinate planes, develop early algebraic thinking and succeed in digital math alongside their peers.
If you would like more information about the TEAM Initiative, contact Leslie Thatcher at [email protected].
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