Primary 1 maths · Geometry · About 8 minutes
Copy figures on dot or square grids
Start at the matching dot. Count each space.
Start the interactive lesson →Open practice activity
What you will learn
- Copy figures on dot or square grids
Models used: number sentences, stories, diagrams.
Before you start
Copy the moves on the grid
We want to copy the rectangle on the left onto the empty grid on the right.
Choose the starting dot marked in blue. Count spaces between dots, not the dots themselves.
Start at the blue dot
The top edge goes three spaces to the right. Make the same move from the starting dot on the empty grid.
3 spaces right
Go two spaces down, three left, then two up to close the rectangle. The copied edges have the same lengths.
3 right → 2 down → 3 left → 2 up
What did the picture help us see?
Go two spaces down, three left, then two up to close the rectangle. The copied edges have the same lengths.
Worked example: A new example, together
How can you copy a figure accurately onto another square grid?
Start at the matching dot. Count each space.
Keep the same grid distances and directions
Use a grid to preserve relative positions. Choose a matching starting point.
Use a grid to preserve relative positions. How can you copy a figure accurately onto another square grid?
Keep the same grid distances and directions
Count horizontal and vertical grid steps between corresponding vertices.
Use a grid to preserve relative positions. Join the points in the same order.
Use a grid to preserve relative positions. Check the result against the question we started with.
Corresponding sides span the same number of grid intervals.
We found Keep the same grid distances and directions. Keep the same grid distances and directions
Use a grid to preserve relative positions.
Common mistakes to discuss
- Copying the look, not the steps. Count the grid squares between points. A copy matches when every step across and up matches.
Check your understanding
- Copy figures on dot or square grids
- copy a figure on a grid
- check the answer against the original quantities and units
Explain your reasoning to an adult, then try a fresh question in the interactive lesson. A result from one attempt is not proof of lasting mastery.
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