Finding places on a plan
Locate positions on a two-dimensional representation (simple map or plan) of a familiar space such as the classroom or playground, and move positions by following directions and pathways
Lesson
Set out your lesson
“Finding places on a plan means locating spots on a simple 2-D map of a familiar space and moving a token along pathways with directions. We will mark places, follow a path, then check a fresh route.”
Bring to the table
- Paper plan of one familiar room (table, door, sofa sketched)
- A small token/coin as the mover
- Optional: adult opens the curated map companion after the table demo
Extra for the adult
Worked example. On a plan, the table is a square. Moving the token left along a path shows a route without walking the room.
Optional challenge. For Finding places on a plan, child gives you a two-step route to follow with the token.
What to notice. Keep one parent note: plan used; routes; support used. A photo of the plan helps. This session samples plan reading, not mastery of every map.
Share and support
Compare teaching approaches
Teaching approaches
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1 approach
Finding places on a plan means locating spots on a simple 2-D map of a familiar space and moving a token along pathways with directions. We will mark places, follow a path, then check a fresh route.
Spend about 12 minutes locating and moving on a homemade room plan, then checking a new pathway.
Family records and proof options
Keep a record of your learning
Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Practice this concept
Start practiceFinding places on a plan practice
Follow simple plan positions and pathway directions.
Free · no login · no ads · Practice answers and completion are not saved. Parent observation remains the lesson record.
Learning resources
Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
National Geographic Education · Practice link — not the full lesson
Map
Before you open · source notes
Free geography/earth resource useful for Finding places on a plan. An adult guides the exploration; not a full atlas course.
Free educational page, no sign-in for the tested path.
Before you openAsk the learner to point to one place or feature and describe it.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Public National Geographic Education page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.
National Geographic Education. “Map.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.
Unknown — link only
Check understanding
- Point to or place picture markers for the teacher's desk and the door on a pictorial map, plan or block model of the classroom
- Follow 'forward 3 squares, turn left, forward 2 squares' on a playground plan and say where you end up
- Draw a path on a school plan from the library to the canteen and describe it using left and right
“If your child is given a simple drawing of the classroom or the backyard, can they find where things are on it and follow a path drawn on it?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Procedural
- Subject
- Geography
- Domain
- Maps & Spatial Skills
- Age range
- Ages 5–9
Standards