Hide and Seek
Class 4 · Mathematics
4 ideas in Class 4 Mathematics, explained in plain words, with games and quizzes to practise.
Top, Front and Side Views
Part of: Seeing things from different sides
The same object can look different depending on where you stand. A steel tumbler standing on a table looks like a rectangle from the front, but like a circle when you look straight down into it. These are called the front view and the top view.
Why it matters. Reading views is the first step to understanding maps, building plans and drawings. Children who know that a drawing shows only one side will not be confused when two drawings of one thing look different.
Try it in two minutes
- Place a tumbler or a small box on the table. Ask your child to draw it as seen from the front.
- Now ask your child to stand up and look straight down at it. Ask: what shape do you see now?
- Turn the object around and ask: does the side view look the same as the front view?
Try at home. Pick three household things, such as a cup, a book and a ball, and ask your child to sketch each from the top and from the front.
Position in Rows and Columns
Part of: Rows, columns and moving on a grid
A grid is made of rows that go across and columns that go up and down. Every square has an address: its row and its column. A seat in the second row and fourth column of a hall is in just one place.
Why it matters. Giving a position with two clues is used in seat numbers, maps, spreadsheets and games like chess. Without it, children may say only left or right and be unable to find a spot exactly.
Try it in two minutes
- Draw a grid of 3 rows and 3 columns on paper, or use a muffin tray.
- Place a coin in one square and ask your child to say its row and column.
- Swap roles: you say the row and column and your child places the coin.
Try at home. Ask your child to describe where a favourite toy sits on a shelf using the words row and column.
Moving Along a Grid
Part of: Rows, columns and moving on a grid
To reach a spot on a grid you can move one square at a time: left, right, up or down. You cannot cut across in a slant. Going 3 steps right and then 2 steps up takes 5 steps in all.
Why it matters. Giving and following directions step by step is an important skill for reading maps, playing games and writing simple instructions.
Try it in two minutes
- Make a 4 by 4 grid with chalk or tape on the floor. Put an object on one square.
- Ask your child to start from a corner and walk to it. Count the steps aloud together.
- Ask: is there another path with the same number of steps?
Try at home. Hide a small toy under a cup in a muffin tray and give clues like 2 steps right, 1 step up.
Maps and Routes
Part of: Maps and routes
A sight map is a drawing of a place as if seen from high above, such as a bird or a drone would see it. It shows where things are and helps us find a way from one place to another. Often there is more than one route, and the shorter one passes fewer places or turns.
Why it matters. Reading and drawing simple maps helps children find their way, explain directions to others and notice how places are arranged.
Try it in two minutes
- Draw a quick map of your living room from above with the sofa, table and door.
- Ask your child to trace a path from the door to the window with a finger.
- Ask: is there another path? Which is shorter and how do you know?
Try at home. Ask your child to draw a sight map of the way from your front door to the nearest shop or park.
What your child will practise
- Maps and Routes: Desert Puzzle (Clue Puzzle)
- Maps and Routes: Treasure Quest (Collect the Answer)
- Moving Along a Grid: Jungle Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Position in Rows and Columns: Ocean Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Top, Front and Side Views: Ocean Quest (Collect the Answer)
- Quiz: Maps and Routes (8 questions)
- Quiz: Moving Along a Grid (8 questions)
- Quiz: Position in Rows and Columns (8 questions)
- Quiz: Top, Front and Side Views (8 questions)