Location and Transformation Investigation

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1 Getting Started
2 Watch and Notice
3 Try It Together
4 Class Challenge
5 Sketch Your Grid in Your Copy
Pupil practice

1 - Getting Started ~4 mins

Illustration for Getting Started Look at this design on the board. It was built on a squared grid. Can you spot a reflection, a slide, or a matching half?

Today you become the designer. You will make a secret picture on a grid, then write directions so exact that a classmate could copy it without ever seeing it.

👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

+5 XP

2 - Watch and Notice ~9 mins

We will look at one shape shown two different ways. First it is reflected, flipped like a mirror. Then it is slid, moved along without turning or flipping. Notice what stays the same each time, and notice how the grid reference changes.

👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

+10 XP

3 - Try It Together ~10 mins

Today we complete a symmetrical house together on the interactive. The mirror line runs straight down the middle, between columns C and D. We only build the left half. When you tap a square, its matching partner appears the same distance away on the right.

Work through the house in this order. Say the grid reference out loud before each tap, letter first.

Roof: shade B1 and C1.
Window: shade B2.
Walls: shade B3, B4, C3 and C4.
Door: shade C5.

After each tap, check the partner landed the same number of squares from the mirror line. Then read the new grid references together.

Complete the symmetrical house

+15 XP

4 - Class Challenge ~15 mins

This is your design challenge. On your labelled grid you will make a secret picture, then describe it so exactly that a classmate could redraw it.

First watch how a clear set of directions looks. Here is one finished example on the board:

Start: shade the square at B2.
Reflect across the mirror line between column C and D. The partner lands at E2.
Slide the shape three squares right. B2 moves to E2; E2 moves to H2.
New grid references: E2 and H2.

Notice the order: starting place, what transformation, then the new references. That is the pattern you will use.

Get as far as you can. Even finishing step one is great.

Shade a small shape and write down the grid reference of every square you used.
Reflect your shape across a mirror line and write the new grid references.
Slide your shape three squares to the right and write where it lands.
Extra: design a symmetrical secret picture, then write directions and grid references clear enough for a classmate to redraw it exactly. Use the same order as the board example: start, transformation, new references.

Can you make a secret grid picture and describe it exactly enough for a classmate to copy?

['Shade a small shape on your labelled grid and list the grid reference of every square (letter across, then number).', 'Reflect the shape across a chosen mirror line and write the grid references of the reflected squares.', 'Slide the shape three squares along and write the grid references where it lands.', 'Extra: design a symmetrical secret picture, then write directions and grid references precise enough for a classmate to redraw it without seeing it.']

Shade a shape covering squares B2, C2 and B3. Write its three grid references.
Reflect the shape B2, C2, B3 across a mirror line between columns C and D. Give the grid references of the reflected squares.
Slide the shape B2, C2, B3 three squares to the right. Give the new grid references.
A classmate reads your directions: 'Shade A1, then reflect across the line between B and C.' Which squares end up shaded?

Ways to start:

Start by shading just three squares and naming each one, letter first.
Fold a corner of your grid to check both halves of your picture match across the mirror line.

Stretch:

Write directions using both grid references and slide instructions, then hand them to a classmate to test.
Reflect across a horizontal mirror line instead of a vertical one and describe how the references change.

Record: labelled squared paper plus a written list of grid references and directions

Share back: swap grids and try to redraw a classmate's picture from their written description alone

Answers & strategies (teacher)

Shade a shape covering squares B2, C2 and B3. Write its three grid references. — B2, C2, B3
Reflect the shape B2, C2, B3 across a mirror line between columns C and D. Give the grid references of the reflected squares. — E2, D2, E3
Slide the shape B2, C2, B3 three squares to the right. Give the new grid references. — E2, F2, E3
A classmate reads your directions: 'Shade A1, then reflect across the line between B and C.' Which squares end up shaded? — A1 and D1

+15 XP

5 - Sketch Your Grid in Your Copy ~2 mins

COPYBOOK MOMENT

In your maths copy, draw a small 4-by-4 grid on squared paper. Label the columns A, B, C, D across the top and the rows 1, 2, 3, 4 down the side. Shade any shape you like, then write the grid reference of each shaded square underneath, letter first.

+10 XP

Pupil practice

Module 8 · Symmetry, Location and Transformation Shape & Space

Lesson 99 · Location and Transformation Investigation

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