Position and direction
Grade 5 · Math
Explore numbers, spot patterns and explain how you worked it out.
Choose a game
Take your time, try a game and collect stars.
Coordinates
Along the corridor, then up the stairs: read and move coordinates in the first quadrant in this
Play CoordinatesTranslations on a grid
(1, 2) to (4, 2) is 3 right. Match moves between coordinates to translations in this
Play Translations on a gridReflection in a mirror line
Reflect points in vertical and horizontal mirror lines on a grid.
Play Reflection in a mirror lineTranslation or reflection?
Does the shape slide, flip, or change? Sort moves into translations and reflections in this
Play Translation or reflection?
Learning about position and direction
These Grade 5 Math games practice Coordinates, Translations on a grid, Reflection in a mirror line, Translation or reflection?. Choose a game above for a short activity, or explore the examples below before you play. The full guide for each game explains its controls, gives more examples and includes a free printable for practice away from the screen.
Talk it through
Use counters, a drawing or a number line before moving to a mental method. Ask your child to explain a choice, then change one number and try the method again.
Ask: “How could you show the same answer another way?” Give your child time to explain. Return to an example after playing and ask whether they would approach it differently.
Coordinates
In this game children read the coordinates of points and work out where a point lands after moving left, right, up or down. Coordinates always give the x-coordinate first: along the corridor, then up the stairs.
Try an example: A point is 3 squares along and 4 squares up. What are its coordinates?
Along first, then up.
Show the answer
(3, 4)
What to look out for
Writing the coordinates the wrong way round. Remember: along the corridor, then up the stairs.
Translations on a grid
In this game each card shows a point's start and end coordinates, and children match it to the translation that moves it there. Comparing the x-coordinates gives left or right, and the y-coordinates give up or down.
Try an example: (1, 2) to (4, 2)
x: 1 to 4 is 3 more. y does not change.
Show the answer
3 right
What to look out for
Mixing up which number goes with left or right. The first number goes along, so it tells you left or right.
Reflection in a mirror line
In this game children reflect points in vertical and horizontal mirror lines on a coordinate grid. The reflected point is the same distance from the mirror line as the original, on the other side.
Try an example: Reflect (2, 3) in the vertical line through 5 on the x-axis.
2 is 3 squares from 5, so go 3 squares past 5: 8.
Show the answer
(8, 3)
What to look out for
Changing both coordinates. Only the coordinate across the mirror line changes.
Translation or reflection?
In this game children sort descriptions of movements into translation, reflection and neither. A translation slides a shape. A reflection flips it over a mirror line. Turning or resizing a shape is neither.
Try an example: A triangle slides 3 squares to the right without turning
It slides.
Show the answer
translation
What to look out for
Thinking any movement is a translation. Ask: did it turn or flip? If it did, it is not a translation.
Practice away from the screen
- Play battleships on squared paper using coordinates.
- Move a counter on squared paper and describe each move as a translation.
- Use a small mirror to reflect drawings and letters.
- Slide, flip and turn a cut-out shape on the table and name each movement.
Curriculum connections
Coordinates
Supports part of Common Core 5.G.A.1: locating points in the first quadrant using ordered pairs. This focused game does not cover the entire standard.
Common Core connection: 5.G.A.1. This is focused practice for part of the standard.
Translations on a grid
Supports part of Common Core 5.G.A.1: how the coordinates change as you move along each axis. Naming the move a translation goes beyond Grade 5. This focused game does not cover the entire standard.
Common Core connection: 5.G.A.1. This is focused practice for part of the standard.
Reflection in a mirror line
Enrichment: reflections are Common Core 8.G.A.1. This game reflects points in vertical and horizontal lines on a first-quadrant grid (5.G.A.1).
Translation or reflection?
Enrichment: translations and reflections are Common Core 8.G.A.1. Here children only name the movement.
Questions families ask
Where should we start with position and direction?
Start with Coordinates. Look at the worked example together, then try a round. If the task feels unfamiliar, use the full game guide or its free printable before trying again.
Does this cover everything taught at this level?
No. These games provide focused practice. Grade suggestions do not replace your school’s curriculum, and any Common Core connection applies only to the skill described.