RockLicker · Grade 3 · Lesson 4 of 5

Grid-Map Explorer

Use a labeled grid and key to communicate a location and follow a simple route.

  • Grade 3
  • 35 minutes
  • Worksheet + teacher guidance
Back to Grade 3

What you will learn

A grid provides a shared way to describe positions. A coordinate without the agreed grid convention can be ambiguous.

Words to use

  • grid: rows and columns
  • coordinate: a location reference
  • route: a path

Evidence for this lesson

Imaginary grid: columns A–D left to right; rows 1–4 bottom to top. Gate A1; observation stone C2; tree B4; rest point D4.

Use the supplied record as written; do not invent missing results.

Work through the activity

  1. 5 min · Build the gridDraw four columns labeled A–D from left to right and four rows labeled 1–4 from bottom to top. Add a north arrow pointing up.
  2. 10 min · Place symbolsPut the gate in A1, an observation stone in C2, a tree in B4 and a rest point in D4. Add a key for each symbol.
  3. 10 min · Trace a routeDraw a route from A1 to C2 using whole grid steps. Explain the east and north movement, remembering that these are cells, not measured ground distances.
  4. 10 min · Partner testGive a partner only your written coordinate for the tree. Check that both readers point to the same cell and identify one missing real-world map detail.
RockLicker
GRADE 3 · LESSON 4

Grid-Map Explorer

Draw on the printed sheet or write, type or dictate your response.
Draw on the printed sheet or write, type or dictate your response.
Draw on the printed sheet or write, type or dictate your response.
Draw on the printed sheet or write, type or dictate your response.

Responses stay in this open page only. Print before closing or changing pages; no student record is stored online.

Check your understanding

What tells the real distance represented by one grid cell?

Teacher & family guide · answers and assessment

Grade 3 · Grid-Map Explorer

Learning goal: Use a labeled grid and key to communicate a location and follow a simple route.

Expected responses

  1. Check column/row orientation and all four symbols.
  2. The tree.
  3. One example is two cells east and one north; other clear step routes are acceptable.
  4. A map scale or measured cell size.

Understanding check: A stated scale. Letters locate cells. Scale connects map distance to ground distance.

Watch for this misconception

A grid cell marks an area, not an exact surveyed point or access right.

Assess the evidence

Look for the observations, calculation or explanation named in the learning goal. Accept accurate drawings and dictated responses. Use the expected responses to discuss reasoning; a correct guess without explanation is a starting point for another conversation.

Adapt and extend

Read prompts aloud, enlarge print or let a partner record the learner’s explanation. Write a second route to D4 and compare the number of steps.