- Definition
Coordinates are like an address for a spot on a map or graph, telling you exactly where to find it using two numbers.
To find the coordinate (2, 4) on a grid, you start at zero, move 2 spaces to the right, and then 4 spaces up.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Coordinates are like the secret code in a game of Battleship, where you give two numbers to find a hidden spot on the grid.
Ask your child: To find a treasure at (2, 4), how many steps right and how many steps up?
Common mix-up: Kids often think the order of the numbers doesn't matter. The order is a rule: the first number is always for moving sideways, and the second is for moving up or down.
Examples
- Finding your seat in a movie theatre using the row letter and seat number.
- Using a map grid with letters and numbers along the sides to locate a specific park.
coordinates is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
