Learning Map

Using objects to model real problems

Use objects, drawings, or simple number sentences to represent a real-world situation (early mathematical modelling)

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 you describe a simple real-life situation to your child — like "there are 3 birds on a fence and 2 more land" — can they write a number sentence like 3 + 2 = 5 to represent it?

Where this sits on the map

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

Builds on
Addition and subtraction word problemsages 4–6Solving word problems with drawings exercises early modelling
Sorting into categoriesages 5–6Classifying and counting objects into categories is an early modelling activity
Using objects to model real problemsthis skill · ages 5–6
Unlocks
Connecting maths to real lifeages 6–7Age 6-7 modelling with bar models/diagrams builds on age 5-6 modelling with objects and pictures

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

AC9M1N05medium confidenceYear 1 · Number

use mathematical modelling to solve practical problems involving additive situations, including simple money transactions; represent the situations with diagrams, physical and virtual materials, and use calculation strategies to solve the problem

AC9M1N06medium confidenceYear 1 · Number

use mathematical modelling to solve practical problems involving equal sharing and grouping; represent the situations with diagrams, physical and virtual materials, and use calculation strategies to solve the problem

AC9M2N06medium confidenceYear 2 · Number

use mathematical modelling to solve practical problems involving additive and multiplicative situations, including money transactions; represent situations and choose calculation strategies; interpret and communicate solutions in terms of the situation

NSW syllabus codes & stages only

MAE-DATA-01low confidenceMathematics K-10 · Early Stage 1
MA1-GM-01low confidenceMathematics K-10 · Stage 1

Victorian Curriculum 2.0 codes & levels only

VC2M1N05medium confidenceMathematics · Level 1 · Number strand
VC2MFN05medium confidenceMathematics · Foundation · Number strand
VC2M2N06medium confidenceMathematics · Level 2 · Number 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

All Mathematical Thinking skills →