The idea, step by step
Look from above
A bird’s-eye plan shows where things are when viewed straight down from above. A table may look like a rectangle and a round pond may look like a circle.
You do not need to see the front of every object. Labels or a key explain what the shapes stand for.
Keep one viewpoint
In this classroom plan the windows are along the top and the door is at the lower left. Read every position from this same viewpoint.
A plan can show arrangement without exact distances. Unless a scale or measurements are supplied, do not use the drawing to claim an exact room length.
A common trap
Reading the plan as a picture of a front wall.
Instead: Imagine looking down through the ceiling.
See the thinking
Find the table
Is the classroom table nearer the middle or the left edge?
- Locate the rectangle labelled table.
- Compare it with the room boundary.
A round table
A round table is seen from directly above. What simple shape could represent its top?
- Think about the outline of the tabletop.
- A round tabletop has a circular outline.
Check your understanding
What viewpoint does a bird’s-eye plan use?
Show answer
Looking down from above.
It shows the arrangement on the floor or ground.
Your turn
6 questions · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- Which feature is along the top wall in the classroom plan?
- Is the reading corner left or right of the table?
- What shape could represent the top of a rectangular desk?
- A plan has no scale or measurements. Can it tell the exact room length? Explain.
- Where is the door in the classroom plan?
- Sketch a bird’s-eye plan of a round mat beside a rectangular table. Label both.
Read the worked solutions
- Which feature is along the top wall in the classroom plan?
Read the label at the top.
The windows. - Is the reading corner left or right of the table?
The reading corner is drawn on the table’s left.
Left. - What shape could represent the top of a rectangular desk?
Use its outline as seen from above.
A rectangle. - A plan has no scale or measurements. Can it tell the exact room length? Explain.
The same drawing could be enlarged without changing its arrangement.
No. It shows arrangement, but exact length needs a scale or measurement. - Where is the door in the classroom plan?
Use the shared top-down viewpoint.
At the lower-left side. - Sketch a bird’s-eye plan of a round mat beside a rectangular table. Label both.
The circle represents the mat and the rectangle represents the tabletop.
Either side is acceptable if the objects are beside each other.
A labelled circle beside a labelled rectangle.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 and SA Curriculum
Bird's-eye representations; landmarks; relative position; making plans.
Official curriculum source ↗