Identify the function as y = x^2
Make a table of values for x and y
Choose x-values such as -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3
Square each x-value to get y-values
Plot the points on the coordinate plane
Draw a smooth U-shaped curve through the points
Use the vertex at (0, 0)
Check that the graph is symmetric about the y-axis