Grade 3 · Unit 8: Location and transformation

Grids and maps

Find places using grid references.

City maps

Maps of cities have grids. Each square has a grid reference. This helps you find places quickly.

Grid references

Read the letter along the bottom first, then the number up the side. The hospital is in square C3. “Along the corridor, then up the stairs.”

Compass directions

North, East, South, West. In between: north-east, south-east, south-west, north-west. From the hospital, the school is north-east.

Following routes

Describe routes with directions and distances. East 3, north 3, east 1. Can you find a shorter route?

Coordinates

Coordinates are two numbers in brackets: (across, up). A is 2 across and 3 up: (2, 3). Always go across first, then up – “along the corridor, then up the stairs”.

What I learnt

• I can use grid references.
• I can use eight compass directions.
• I can describe routes.