Topics
13. Grids and maps
topic badge
Australia
Year 3

13.04 Directions

Lesson
Practice
Lesson

Are you ready?

Can you follow one-step directions? Where does the object end up after moving in the following question?

Examples

Example 1

If we move the carrots 1 space up, what new location would the carrots be in?

A grid with images of objects placed in different positions. Ask your teacher for more information.
Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Count 1 space up from the object and look to the left to see which row you are in, and look down to see which column you are in.

Apply the idea

If the carrots moved 1 space up, they would still be in the same column, A. But they would have moved to row 2.

So the new location is: Column A Row 2.

Idea summary

We label our grid using letters, across the top or bottom, and numbers down the sides. Our grid reference starts with the letter first, then the number.

Directions

This video shows us how to give directions.

Loading video...

Examples

Example 2

Ellie is sitting in seat A, and wants to move to seat M. Which directions would get Ellie to their new seat?

An image of a movie theatre sitting arrangement. Ask your teacher for more information.
A
Start at A, move 2 seats to the right and 2 seats backwards.
B
Start at M, move 2 seats to the right and 2 seats backwards.
Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Locate the starting point and follow the directions until you reach the next position.

Apply the idea

Using the directions in Option A, Ellie would move from A, 2 seats to the right to C, then 2 seats backwards to M.

So the answer is option A.

Idea summary

Some directions depend on the situation. For instance, in the example above, "backwards" meant towards the back of the theatre.

Directions on a map

In the next video, we have some landmarks to navigate around and a map. We are given directions to find the tool shed, but need to find the screwdriver on our own.

Loading video...

Examples

Example 3

If we start at school, turn right, then turn left, then take the second left, where do we end up?

An image of a map with corresponding legend. Ask your teacher for more information.
A
Hospital
B
Police Station
Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Locate the starting point and imagine standing at that point and facing the road. Then follow the directions.

Apply the idea

We end up at the Police Station at point G. The answer is option B.

Idea summary

When following directions, it's important to think about the direction we are facing when we move and turn.

Outcomes

ACMMG065

Create and interpret simple grid maps to show position and pathways

What is Mathspace

About Mathspace