AC9M2SP02 • Year 2 Maths

Locate positions in two-dimensional representations of a familiar space; move...: Year 2 Maths topic guide

locate positions in two-dimensional representations of a familiar space; move positions by following directions and pathways

What students learn in AC9M2SP02

This unit helps students build a clear, usable understanding of Locate positions in two-dimensional representations of a familiar space; move.... The goal is not to memorise one answer pattern. Students should be able to explain the idea, recognise it in a new example and apply it in a short practice or worksheet task.

  • Start with the main idea: locate positions in two-dimensional representations of a familiar space; move positions by following directions and pathways.
  • Use concrete examples, pictures, oral explanation and short written responses before moving to independent practice.
  • interpreting maps of familiar places and identifying the position of key features understanding that we use maps to receive and give directions and to describe place and spatial relationships between places
  • Finish with mixed questions so students must choose the correct strategy rather than copy the last example.

Curriculum coverage and elaborations

The content description and elaborations below show the curriculum ideas taught in this unit. Items marked as teaching context support lesson planning but may not appear in the initial eight-question activity.

  • Content description: locate positions in two-dimensional representations of a familiar space; move positions by following directions and pathways
  • E1: interpreting maps of familiar places and identifying the position of key features
  • E2: understanding that we use maps to receive and give directions and to describe place and spatial relationships between places
  • E3: using a classroom seating plan to locate a new seating position and giving directions to other classmates to find their seats
  • E4: following and creating movement instructions that need to be carried out to move through a 4 \times 4 grid mat on the classroom floor or on a computer screen; for example, one forward, 2 to the right and one backwards, and so on to reach a target square; using a robotic toy to follow a path on a street scene on a floor mat, adjusting their directions as they consider the order of their instructions, the direction and how far they want the toy to travel
  • E5: moving around a two-dimensional maze using directional language to describe turns and changes in direction including saying, for example, “clockwise”, “anticlockwise”, “quarter turn to the left”, and “take the path to the right”

How to use this unit

Read the topic guide, use the teacher slide for instruction, then complete the Worksheet, Practice and Test. These three activities use the same eight-question unit bank.

Teacher resource

AC9M2SP02 teacher slide

Use this one-page PDF to introduce the key idea, vocabulary and teaching sequence before students begin the activities.

Open teacher slide (PDF)

Common mistakes to watch for

  • Rushing to a rule before checking the concrete model, drawing or number sentence.
  • Using the correct answer once but not being able to explain why it works.
  • Mixing up similar vocabulary such as more/less, before/after, longer/shorter or equal groups/sharing.

International curriculum mapping

This table gives closest-topic mapping for search and planning. The Australian Curriculum code is exact; overseas entries are broad equivalents because each jurisdiction structures outcomes differently.

RegionCurriculumClosest mapping
AustraliaAustralian Curriculum v9.0AC9M2SP02 — locate positions in two-dimensional representations of a familiar space; move positions by following directions and pathways
VictoriaVictorian Curriculum F-10Year 2 Maths: closest match in Space. Use this page as a VIC-aligned practice and worksheet reference.
NSWNSW CurriculumStage 1 Maths: closest content focus for Locate positions in two-dimensional representations of a familiar space; move... and related outcomes.
United StatesCommon Core / NGSSGrade 2 Common Core Mathematics/ELA closest topic match for Locate positions in two-dimensional representations of a familiar space; move....
England / UKNational CurriculumKey Stage 1 / Year 2: closest programme-of-study match for Locate positions in two-dimensional representations of a familiar space; move....
CanadaProvincial and territory curriculaGrade 2 closest topic match. Canada varies by province, so use this as a broad Ontario/BC-style learning outcome reference.
New ZealandNew Zealand CurriculumLevel 1 Maths: closest achievement-objective topic for Locate positions in two-dimensional representations of a familiar space; move....
IndiaNCERT / CBSEClass 2 closest NCERT/CBSE topic match for Locate positions in two-dimensional representations of a familiar space; move....

Related Year 2 Maths topics

Official curriculum references