1. Home

GM4-7: Communicate and interpret locations and directions, using compass directions, distances, and grid references.

Thanks for visiting NZMaths.
We are preparing to close this site and currently expect this to be in June 2024
but we are reviewing this timing due to the large volume of content to move and
improvements needed to make it easier to find different types of content on
Tāhūrangi. We will update this message again shortly.

For more information visit https://tahurangi.education.govt.nz/updates-to-nzmaths

Elaboration on this Achievement Objective

This means students will apply their understanding of the measurement system, particularly of length and angle. This involves converting the scale on a map to actual measurements and describing direction given the orientation of North.

  1. Give or interpret the location of a feature on a map using grid references, distances and direction from a landmark, for example AA 24 (Street map), 536 721 (topographical map), 160m South-East of the library, Latitude 12o South, 77o East (World map), 2047km South-West of Los Angeles.
  2. Follow instructions given by others using compass directions, distances and grid references by interpreting a scale map, for example travel from New Plymouth to Tauranga.

 

 

Teaching resources for this Achievement Objective
Resource logo

A Near Miss

Level Four
Geometry and Measurement
Figure It Out activities
This is a level 4 geometry activity from the Figure It Out theme series. A PDF of the student activity is included.

mark a pathway using scale maps and compass bearings

Resource logo

Ball Paths

Level Four
Geometry and Measurement
Figure It Out activities
This is a level 4 geometry strand activity from the Figure It Out series. A PDF of the student activity is included.

draw loci

Resource logo

Blasting Bugs

Level Four
Geometry and Measurement
Figure It Out activities
This is a level 4 geometry strand activity from the Figure It Out series. A PDF of the student activity is included.

give directions using grid references

Resource logo

Day Trippers

Level Four
Level Five
Integrated
Figure It Out activities
This is a level 4 measurement, geometry, statistics and level 5 number activity from the Figure It Out theme series.

interpret information from a timetable

interpret information from a chart

find average speeds

 interpret a scale map and draw a route

calculate percentages of money amounts

show percentages on a pie chart

Resource logo

Finding a Way

Level Four
Integrated
Figure It Out activities
These are level 4 number, and geometry problems from the Figure It Out series.A PDF of the student activity is included.

use addition, multiplication and systematic approach to solve problems (Problem 1)

interpret distance and direction information on a road map (Problem 2)

find fractions of whole number to solve problems (Problem 3)

use simple ratios to solve problems (Problem 4)

Resource logo

Fire Alarm!

Level Four
Geometry and Measurement
Figure It Out activities
This is a level 4 geometry activity from the Figure It Out theme series. A PDF of the student activity is included.

interpret a contour map

draw a three dimensional modle

build a scale model

Resource logo

Going Global

Level Four
Geometry and Measurement
Figure It Out activities
This is a level 4 activity from the Figure It Out series.A PDF of the student activity is included.
Resource logo

Hangin' Out

Level Four
Integrated
Figure It Out activities
This is a level 4 geometry and number activity from the Figure It Out theme series. A PDF of the student activity is available.

interpret the scale of a map to calculate distances

calculate travel costs using a range of mental strategies

Resource logo

Holiday Drop-Offs

Level Four
Geometry and Measurement
Figure It Out activities
This is a level 4 geometry and level 3 number activity from the Figure It Out theme series.

interpret a map to find the shortest route

use mental strategies to add kilometres distances

make a distance map using a scale

Resource logo

Irrigating the trees

Level Four
Geometry and Measurement
Units of Work
This unit examines the use of rotation to specify angles as an amount of turn. The context of the unit, irrigating trees, requires the calculation of lengths and measurement of angles based on a four-quadrant number plane.
  • Identify the location of a point on a four-quadrant number plane using coordinates.
  • Average the x and y values of a set of coordinates to locate the centroid of the points.
  • Use scale or Pythagoras’ Theorem to find the distance between points on a number plane.
  • Measure the bearing (angle300
Resource logo

Map it

Level Four
Geometry and Measurement
Units of Work
This unit explores the mathematics of maps, including scale, coordinates, and bearings.
  • Draw a scale map of the classroom
  • Find the location of an object using Cartesian coordinates or bearings
Resource logo

Number in Geometry

Level Three
Level Four
Integrated
Secondary activities
These exercises, activities and games are designed for students to use independently or in small groups to practise number properties. Some involve investigation (see Related Resources) and may become longer and more involved tasks with subsequent recording/reporting. Typically an exercise is a 10...
  • Use a range of mental strategies to add to 90, 180, 270, 360.
  • Find factors of 90, 180, and 360.
  • Use additive strategies to balance equations.
  • Use multiplicative strategies to balance equations.
  • Fold paper to show an angle.

 

Resource logo

Penguin Properties

Level Four
Geometry and Measurement
Figure It Out activities
This is a level 4 activity from the Figure It Out series.A PDF of the student activity is included.
Resource logo

Planning the Tramp

Level Four
Geometry and Measurement
Figure It Out activities
This is a level 4 geometry and measurement activity from the Figure It Out theme series.A PDF of the student activity is included.

interpret the scale of a map

use speeds and times to construct a timetable

Resource logo

Red October

Level Four
Geometry and Measurement
Units of Work
In the film The Hunt For Red October, at one point the escaping Russian submarine has to navigate a complicated underwater trench. This unit is built around that idea and brings in the measurement of angle and distance. It is expected at this stage that the students will know how to use protractors.
  • Follow directions given in bearings.
  • Invent their own maps using bearings.
  • Use a protractor to produce maps.
Resource logo

Ringing the Road

Level Four
Geometry and Measurement
Figure It Out activities
This is a level 4 geometry strand activity from the Figure It Out series. A PDF of the student activity is included.

apply compass directions and scale

Resource logo

Robots

Level Four
Geometry and Measurement
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a geometry focus.
  • Follow grid references.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies to explore situations mathematically (guess and check, make a drawing, use equipment).
Resource logo

Safe Landings

Level Four
Geometry and Measurement
Rich learning activities
The purpose of this activity is to engage students in finding locations from descriptions given and using these to solve a problem.
Resource logo

Treasure Island

Level Four
Geometry and Measurement
Figure It Out activities
This is a level 4 geometry strand activity from the Figure It Out series. A PDF of the student activity is included.

use compass directions and scale drawings

Resource logo

Where on Earth?

Level Four
Geometry and Measurement
Figure It Out activities
This is a level 4 activity from the Figure It Out series.A PDF of the student activity is included.
Resource logo

Where's the WiFi?

Level Four
Geometry and Measurement
Rich learning activities
The purpose of this activity is to engage students in using compass directions and compass constructions to solve a location problem.
Resource logo

Which Way Now?

Level Four
Geometry and Measurement
Figure It Out activities
This is a level 4 probability activity from the Figure It Out theme series.

follow compass directions

read scale maps

write instructions using compass directions and map distances

 

Resource logo

X Marks the Spot

Level Four
Geometry and Measurement
Units of Work
This unit uses games and puzzles to explore coordinate systems and their uses. The students are given the opportunity to invent their own systems by locating counters on a sheet of paper and by finding the dead centre of a set of objects. The Cartesian and polar coordinate systems are used to locate...
  • Use Cartesian and polar coordinates to describe the position of an object.
  • Find the location of an object using Cartesian or polar coordinates.