Minds On

Explore

Let’s examine the following image:

Brainstorm

What do you think?

While exploring Peaceful Park, reflect on the following questions:

  • What do you notice?
  • How could this be used?
  • What information does it tell us?

Record your ideas in your notebook or another method of your choice.

Action

Parts of a map

What is a map?

Press ‘Map’ to access a description of a map.

A map provides a view of an area and shows where different things are. Maps can help people get from one place to another.

A map may use symbols to represent different things, and when this happens a legend is used.

What is a legend?

Press ‘Legend’ to access a description of a legend.

A legend shows what the different symbols mean on the map.

Sometimes we do not use the exact object, but we can use a symbol instead.

Exploring a map

In the Minds On section, we explored a map of a park.

We are going to revisit the map and explore where each item is.

Let’s explore the following map:

Description words

We can describe where each item is by using words that help explain its position compared to another object.

We can use words like:

  • above
  • below
  • to the left
  • to the right
  • behind
  • in front of

Task: Explore and describe

Explore the map again and describe where:

  • the slide is compared to the path
  • the bench is compared to the soccer ball
  • the pond is compared to the basketball

For each sentence, select the missing phrase from the drop-down menu.

Press ‘Show results’ to review the position descriptions of each object.

  • The slide is compared to the path: The slide is to the right of the path.
  • The bench is compared to the soccer ball: The bench is above the soccer field.
  • The pond is compared to the basketball: The pond is to the left of the basketball.

Legends

Let’s explore the map’s legend:

What are some of the symbols used on this map and what do they mean?

For each term, select the corresponding description.

Press ‘Show results’ to access each term and their description.

  • A soccer ball represents a soccer field.
  • The bench represents a picnic area.
  • A basketball represents a basketball court.
  • The pathway represents a path/trail.
  • A blue circle represents a pond.
  • A slide represents a playground.

Grids

A grid can be used to help explain where one object is in relation to another.

What is a grid?

Press ‘Grid’ to access a description of a grid.

A grid helps to show where one object is compared to another.

You can use a grid to help figure out distances and pathways to follow.

Also, the location of objects on the grid matches to the actual area being mapped.

Brainstorm

What do you think?

Using a method of your choice, brainstorm about the following question:

What does a grid have?

Press ‘Show result’ to access a description about grids.

Grids have:

  • lines which go up and down, and left to right
  • numbers on the left side of the grid and they start at 1
  • letters across the bottom of the grid and are labelled starting with the letter A (which go from left to right)

In some cases:

  • the location on a grid is described by where the grid lines meet
  • the location on a grid is described by the space between the grid lines

When we describe where a point is on a grid, we say the letter on the bottom first and the number on the left side.

If we explore the map of Peaceful Park, we can use the grid to help us find the location of different objects.

On this map the letters and numbers are in the spaces between the lines.

Navigating through the grid

If you want to find the bench at Peaceful Park:

  1. Move along the bottom of the grid, until you find the letter that matches where the bench is.
  2. Move up the left side until you find the number that matches where the bench is.

So, first move along the bottom of the grid until you get to the letter D. Then, move up the left side until you get to the number 4. Now you have found the location of the bench at D4!

Your turn!

Explore Peaceful Park and record where the following objects are located:

  • soccer field
  • pond
  • basketball court
  • playground

Complete the Exploring Peaceful Park in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. You can also use a method of your choice.

Document Title 1

Press the Activity button to access the Exploring Peaceful Park.

Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)

Press ‘Show results’ to access the location for the selected objects.

Object Location

Soccer Field

D3

Pond

B1

Basketball court

D1

Playground

B3

Consolidation

What’s the location?

Explore the following map of a park beside Hudson’s Bay.

Using the grid, locate different objects in the park or water.

Let’s find it!

Use the map of Dolphin Cove to answer the following questions:

1. Find the location for:

  • waterfall
  • boat
  • trees

2. Describe what is close to the playground.

3. What is located at the following places?

  • B4
  • A5
  • G7
  • G1

4. Recycling bins need to be added to Dolphin Cove.

  • Create a symbol for the recycling bin and describe where it could be added to the grid.
  • Use the letters and numbers to describe the location and describe what objects are around the recycling bins.

Complete the Let’s Find It Activity in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable documents. You can also use a method of your choice.

Grade 2 Mathematics Spatial Sense–Let’s Find It Activity

Press the Activity button to access Let’s Find It Activity.

Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel...

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.