Math K - 7 IRP Shape and Space (Transformations)

Students perform, analyse, and create transformations.

It is expected that students will:

Grades K to 1 Grades 2 to 3 Grade 4
Describe verbally the relative position of both three-dimensional objects and two-dimensional shapes

Use positional language, numbers, and directional words to describe the relative positions of objects in one dimension and to communicate motion in real- world contexts

Use numbers and directional words to describe the relative positions of objects in two dimensions, using real-world contexts



  • use directional terms such as over, under, beside, near, far, left, and right to describe the relative position of objects and shapes

  • match the size and shape of figures by superimposing one on top of another

  • identify and fit pieces of puzzles or shapes that go together (part to whole relationship)

  • explore and describe reflection in mirrors


  • communicate and apply positional language and cardinal directions (relating to compasses and maps) in verbal, written, or numerical form

  • graph whole number points on a horizontal or a vertical number line

  • trace a path on a line following oral or written instructions

  • make congruent shapes and symmetrical two-dimensional shapes using folds and reflections


  • communicate and apply terms of directions to maps (north, south, east, and west)

  • place an object on a grid using columns and rows

  • describe the position of an object on a grid using columns and rows

  • trace a path on a grid or map, using oral or written instructions (and vice versa)

  • create and verify symmetrical two-dimensional shapes by drawing lines of symmetry


It is expected that students will:

Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7
Describe motion in terms of a slide, a turn, or a flip Create patterns and designs that incorporate symmetry, translations, tessellations, and reflections

Create and analyse patterns and designs using congruence, symmetry, translation, rotation, and reflection



  • recognize motion as a slide (translation), a turn (rotation), or a flip (reflection)

  • recognize tessellations created with regular and irregular shapes in the environment

  • locate planes of symmetry by cutting solids

  • use coordinates to describe the position of objects in two dimensions

  • plot whole number, ordered number pairs in the first quadrant with intervals of 1, 2, 5, and 10

  • identify a point in the first quadrant using ordered pairs

  • cover a surface using one or more tessellating shapes

  • create and identify tessellations using regular polygons

  • identify regular polygons that can tessellate a plane


  • create, analyse, and describe designs using translations (slides) and reflections (flips)

  • draw designs using ordered pairs in the first quadrant of the coordinate grid, together with slide and flip images


  • create, analyse, and describe designs using rotation (turns), reflections (flips), and translations (slides)

  • use informal concepts of congruence to describe images after rotations (turns), reflections (flips), and translations (slides)

  • draw designs using ordered pairs in all four quadrants of the coordinate grid, together with slide and flip images

  • connect reflections with lines and planes of symmetry
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Maintained by: Mathematics Coordinator

Revised: October 20, 1997

  BC Ministry of Education