Map My Classroom: Grid Coordinates Worksheets invites students to become classroom cartographers as they design and label a bird’s eye view of their learning space! Using a grid reference or coordinate system, students practise spatial reasoning, location language and mapping skills in a fun and authentic way.

Students begin by drawing a layout of their classroom from above, marking the position of key items such as desks, teacher’s desk, whiteboard and book shelf. Once mapped, they use either a labelled grid reference system (like A1) or standard grid coordinates (like 1,1) to list the location of each item. They then extend their understanding by giving written instructions to follow paths between objects using coordinate navigation and directional steps.

Three versions of the worksheet are included: one with an A1-style reference system, one using grid coordinates, and one with a blank space where students must draw their own grid. This provides scaffolding and challenge opportunities across a range of ability levels. All worksheet text is fully editable, so you can customise the instructions, labels or item list to reflect your unique classroom layout or learning goals.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Design and label a map using bird’s eye view spatial awareness
• ✅ Apply grid reference and coordinate systems to locate and describe objects
• ✅ Give and follow instructions using directional and mapping language
• ✅ Strengthen visual literacy and problem-solving skills through layout planning
• ✅ Customise learning based on classroom context or group needs

What’s Included:

• Three worksheet versions:
  • - Grid reference system (A1-style)
  • - Grid coordinate system (1,1)
  • - Blank version for custom grids
• Editable text to change item labels or instructions
• Instructions for mapping, identifying, and describing movement

Materials Needed:

• Printed worksheet (select version based on student needs)
• Pencils, rulers and coloured markers
• Optional: clipboards for students working around the room

How to Use:

1. Choose the worksheet version best suited to your students' confidence and ability.
2. Review bird’s eye view concepts and model how to identify classroom landmarks.
3. Students draw a map of the classroom using the top-down perspective.
4. They record grid references or coordinates for each major item.
5. Students then write instructions to guide a path from one item to another using spatial language.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use at the start of a mapping unit to link maths with geography
• 💡 Incorporate into a digital technologies lesson using coding-style directions
• 💡 Include in a maths rotation as a small group mapping station
• 💡 Assign as a collaborative task where pairs check each other’s coordinates and paths
• 💡 Use the blank version for advanced students to draw a fully scaled map and custom grid

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Encourage accuracy by having students walk around the room to check item positions
• 💛 Model one example using your own teacher desk or whiteboard location to get started
• 💛 Use highlighters to colour-code furniture and paths on the final maps
• 💛 Print double-sided with the path instructions on the back to save paper

Map My Classroom: Grid Coordinates Worksheets is a meaningful and creative way to build coordinate skills, positional vocabulary and spatial thinking—perfect for connecting maths to the real world right inside your own classroom!