Hamilton Zoo Grid Explorer — Phase 2
Hamilton Zoo Grid Explorer — Phase 2
Activity 1: Find the Animals
Your first mission: Find where each animal lives!
Look at the map carefully. Each animal has its own special area.
Giraffes live at: Letter Number
Elephants live at: Letter Number
Tigers live at: Letter Number
Activity 2: Learning Directions
🧭 Direction Helper
From your START point, which direction do you need to go to reach:
The Giraffes:
The Elephants:
Activity 3: Measuring Distances
Let's count squares to see how far you need to walk!
Put your finger on the START point and count squares to each animal.
| Animal | Squares Right/Left | Squares Up/Down | Total Steps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giraffes | |||
| Elephants | |||
| Tigers |
Activity 4: Plan Your Perfect Zoo Day
You want to visit all the animals, but in what order?
Look at your "Total Steps" from Activity 3. Which animal takes the fewest steps to reach?
My Zoo Visit Plan:
🥇 First, I'll visit: (because it's closest)
🥈 Second, I'll visit:
🥉 Third, I'll visit:
Activity 5: Become a Zoo Guide!
Congratulations! You're now ready to help other families!
A family asks you: "We want to see giraffes, then get some food, then see elephants. Can you help us?"
🗺️ My Expert Guide Instructions:
1. Giraffes are at:
2. Food area is at:
3. Elephants are at:
My helpful tip:
🎉 Amazing Work! You're a Zoo Explorer!
You've mastered all the Phase 2 map skills!
✅ What You Can Do Now:
- 📍 Find places using grid references
- 🧭 Use compass directions
- 📏 Count squares to measure distance
- 🗺️ Plan efficient routes
- 👥 Help others using maps
🌟 Ready for Next Level:
- 🎯 More complex coordinates
- 📐 Precise measurements
- 🔢 Scale calculations
- 🧮 Mathematical planning
- 🏗️ Design your own maps
Kaiako Planning Snapshot
Ngā Whāinga Akoranga — Learning Intentions
- Read and use alphanumeric grid references to locate places on a map.
- Apply compass directions (North, South, East, West) to describe and follow routes.
- Count grid squares to estimate distances and plan efficient routes between locations.
- Communicate spatial reasoning clearly, using correct vocabulary and directional language.
Paearu Angitu — Success Criteria
- I can find an animal's location using a grid reference (e.g., C2) and explain how I know.
- I can describe a route using compass directions (e.g., "go North, then East").
- I can count grid squares to compare distances and decide the most efficient path.
- I can give clear directions to help someone else navigate the zoo map.
Teacher Planning Snapshot
- Year level: Years 4–6 (Phase 2) | Duration: 2–3 lessons | NZC Level 2–3 (Mathematics and Statistics — Geometry)
- Curriculum alignment: Te Mātaiaho Mathematics and Statistics — Phase 2 — Geometry; alphanumeric grid references, compass directions, spatial reasoning, and route planning. Connects to Social Sciences (maps and place) and Science (animal habitats).
- Mātauranga Māori: Hamilton/Kirikiriroa is the place grounding this unit. Kaitiakitanga underpins the zoo context — animals are not just exhibits but beings in our care. Students can explore the te reo Māori names for compass directions (raro, runga, mua, muri, tonga, raro, hau āuru, rāwhiti) and connect spatial orientation to traditional wayfinding knowledge used by Māori navigators. Whanaungatanga supports collaborative map-reading and route-planning tasks.
- Entry support: Begin with a physical walk around the school grounds using a simple grid map before introducing the zoo context. Use large printed grid maps. Teach "across first, then up" as a consistent rule for grid references before the coordinate system.
- On-level: Students work through the 5 activities: locate animals, use compass directions, measure distances, plan a route, and act as expert guides. Partner work encourages mathematical talk.
- Extension: Students design their own zoo map with a 6×6 grid, place animals, and write clues for a partner to solve. Introduce scale: if 1 square = 50 metres, how far is it from giraffes to elephants?
Inclusion and Accessibility
- ESOL / ELL: Direction vocabulary card (English/te reo Māori). Visual compass rose displayed throughout. Partner activities reduce language pressure during map-reading tasks.
- Accessibility: Large-format printed map available. Digital version supports zoom. Verbal directions accepted as alternative to written responses.
- Neurodiverse learners: Clear activity structure with numbered steps. Physical movement activity (walk the grid) supports kinesthetic learners before abstract map tasks. Consistent grid orientation across all five activities reduces cognitive load.
🔗 Unit Progression & Next Steps
🔗 Unit Progression & Next Steps
To be populated in Phase 3: A narrative of this unit's lesson arc. How do students progress from opening inquiry to final synthesis?