Follow Directions to Build a Town: Grid Coordinates

Overview:

Follow the directions and use grid coordinates to build a town. This activity helps students practise using grid coordinates to place different locations on a town map. Designed for students in year 4 and year 5.

Learning Objectives:

• Use grid coordinates to accurately place locations on a map.
• Follow step-by-step instructions to create a town layout.
• Enhance spatial awareness and map-reading skills using grid coordinates.

How the Activity Works:

In Step 1, students will follow instructions to place various buildings and landmarks on a town map using grid coordinates. For example, they may be asked to "Draw the police station at D11" or "Draw the lighthouse at H2." By following these coordinates, students will be building the town layout.

In Step 2, students will be given the task of placing additional landmarks, such as a post office, beach resort, and playground. They must think carefully about where to position these features on the grid and use the coordinates to draw them in the correct spots. After placing each feature, students will describe their map layout, explaining the relationships between locations.

This activity supports students in understanding how grid coordinates work and reinforces map-reading skills. It encourages critical thinking about the most logical placement of different locations in a town.