Learning Map
MathematicsGeometryusually ages 8–12

Transformations on a grid

Represent and carry out geometric transformations on squared paper or a coordinate grid: reflections (in horizontal, vertical, and diagonal mirror lines, including the axes), translations (described as a vector or as left/right/up/down moves), and rotations (90° or 180° about a stated centre point); describe each transformation precisely using the correct language; identify which transformation maps one shape onto its image by comparing position, orientation, and size

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

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Try this together

If your child sees a shape and its mirror image on squared paper, can they draw in the exact mirror line, and describe the reflection precisely — including where the line of reflection is — without just saying 'it flipped'?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on
Nothing on the map comes before this — it’s a starting point.
Transformations on a gridthis skill · ages 8–12
Unlocks
2-D shapes (age 8+)ages 8–10Identifying lines of symmetry requires the ability to draw and interpret reflection on a grid
Describing Movementsages 8–9Describing translations on a grid requires the grid-based transformation diagram representation
Lines of symmetryages 8–9Completing a symmetric figure requires performing a reflection on a grid accurately
Transformations on a Gridages 9–10Describing and representing reflections and translations requires the grid-based transformation diagram
Translating and reflecting shapesages 10–11Drawing and describing translations and reflections on coordinate planes is the direct application of transformation diagram skills
Coordinates (age 10+)ages 10–11Working with the full coordinate grid (all four quadrants) extends the transformation diagram to negative coordinates

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Candidate matches to official curriculum codes — machine-suggested, unreviewed (v0.1).

Show candidate curriculum codes · 3 ACARA · 2 NSW · 3 VIC

Australian Curriculum v9 candidate

AC9M5SP03medium confidenceYear 5 · Space

describe and perform translations, reflections and rotations of shapes, using dynamic geometric software where appropriate; recognise what changes and what remains the same, and identify any symmetries

AC9M6SP03medium confidenceYear 6 · Space

recognise and use combinations of transformations to create tessellations and other geometric patterns, using dynamic geometric software where appropriate

AC9M5SP02medium confidenceYear 5 · Space

construct a grid coordinate system that uses coordinates to locate positions within a space; use coordinates and directional language to describe position and movement

NSW syllabus codes & stages only

MA2-2DS-02high confidenceMathematics K-10 · Stage 2
MA2-GM-01medium confidenceMathematics K-10 · Stage 2

Victorian Curriculum 2.0 codes & levels only

VC2M5SP03medium confidenceMathematics · Level 5 · Space strand
VC2M5SP02medium confidenceMathematics · Level 5 · Space strand
VC2M6SP03medium confidenceMathematics · Level 6 · Space strand

These are candidate alignments generated by semantic matching — machine-suggested and unreviewed (v0.1), not official or verified mappings. For official curriculum content see australiancurriculum.edu.au, curriculum.nsw.edu.au and f10.vcaa.vic.edu.au. Don’t rely on them for registration or compliance purposes.

Nearby on the map

2-D shapes (age 8+)ages 8–10 Coordinates (age 8+)ages 8–9 Describing Movementsages 8–9 First Quadrant Coordinatesages 8–9

All Geometry skills →