- Definition
A grid is like a checkerboard or graph paper, with straight lines crossing each other to make a pattern of squares or rectangles.
The squares on a sheet of graph paper form a grid that helps you draw shapes with accurate sizes.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A grid is like the wire rack you cool cookies on, with lines crossing each other to form perfect little squares.
Ask your child: Where do you see grid patterns in our house or neighbourhood?
Common mix-up: Kids might see a grid as just a pretty pattern of lines. In math, a grid is a tool where those crossing lines create exact locations, like an address on a map.
Examples
- The layout of city streets that run perfectly north-south and east-west, crossing each other to form blocks.
- A calendar page organizes days into a grid of rows for the weeks and columns for the days of the week.
grid 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 ↗
