You will learn
- Use position words correctly.
- Describe where something is.
- Follow simple directions.
- Describe a quarter turn and a half turn.
Version 0.1 · published for early use · expert review pending Standards alignment: pending verification. Not yet reviewed against the Courseversity scorecard.
Student lesson
Words to know
Where something is.
In the middle of two things.
Directions to your sides.
Move round a point.
1. Discover: find the treasure
A treasure is hidden between the big rock and the tree, to the right of the path. Can you describe where it is?
2. Understand: positions and directions
We use words to say where something is: above, below, in front of, behind, next to, between, left and right.
We also describe turns. A quarter turn to the right turns you to your right. Another quarter turn to the right is a half turn, so you face the opposite way.
To give directions: “Walk 3 steps forward, turn left, walk 2 steps.”
3. Explore: treasure map
You need squared paper and a pencil.
- Draw a map with a tree, a rock and a hut.
- Hide a treasure between two things.
- Write directions to reach it.
- Give them to a partner to follow.
Think about it: what did you notice?
Directions vary; they must be clear.
4. Practise
Guided practice
Question 1. A ball is between a book and a cup. Which is in the middle?
The ball.
Question 2. Opposite of above?
Below.
Question 3. Two quarter turns to the right make a…
half turn.
Independent practice
- What is the opposite of left?
- In a line, Ada is 3rd. How many are in front of her?
- Which word means in the middle of two things?
- Give directions for 3 steps forward then a right turn.
- A half turn faces which way?
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
5. Apply: everyday mathematics
You walk 4 steps forward, turn right and walk 2 steps. Describe the turn.
Show a sample answer
A quarter turn to the right.
6. Common mistake
Fix: Your right hand is the side you write with (for most people); use a hint like a ribbon.
7. Check and master
Answer all questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
8. Key takeaways
- Use position words.
- Left and right.
- Quarter turn and half turn.
9. Next lesson
Next lesson: Measuring length. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Printable worksheet
- Opposite of left
- Ada is 3rd. How many in front?
- Word for the middle of two things
- Two quarter turns make a ___ turn
- Opposite of above
Homework
Give a family member directions to find an object in your home using left, right and between.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Opposite of left | right | 2 |
| Ada is 3rd. How many in front? | 2 | 2 |
| Word for the middle of two things | between | 2 |
| Two quarter turns make a ___ turn | half | 2 |
| Opposite of above | below | 2 |
| Total | 10 |
Practice answers: Worksheet: 1 right; 2 2; 3 between; 4 half; 5 below.
Quiz answers: 1 A, 2 B, 3 C, 4 A, 5 B, challenge C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Use position words correctly | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Describe where something is | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Follow simple directions | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Describe a quarter turn and a half turn | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Proposed Courseversity thresholds for this page: Bronze = at least 3 of 5 core questions correct; Silver = all 5; Gold = all 5 plus the challenge. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: Mixing up left and right. Your right hand is the side you write with (for most people); use a hint like a ribbon.
- Explain another way: use real objects first, then pictures.
- Show a simpler example: Practise left and right with a ribbon on your right hand.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: use position words correctly; describe where something is; follow simple directions; describe a quarter turn and a half turn.
Prerequisite knowledge. Lessons 1 to 5.
Materials. Counters (stones, seeds or bottle tops), paper, pencils, board or chalkboard. Low-resource options: use stones, seeds, sticks, bottle tops or drawings in the sand or on the board instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Gather the counters and draw the example pictures on the board before the lesson.
Suggested duration. 35–45 minutes.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Start with the Discover situation and let learners suggest ideas before you teach.
Explanation (10 min). Teach the Understand section with real objects first, then pictures, then symbols and words.
Guided activity (10 min). You need squared paper and a pencil. Learners follow the Explore steps in pairs.
Independent activity (10 min). Learners complete the independent practice and the worksheet.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Teacher explanation notes. Use the concrete, pictorial, abstract order: real objects first, then pictures, then symbols and words. Return to real objects whenever a learner needs support.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use real objects and work with a partner; say each step aloud together. Extension. Ask learners to make up their own example and explain it to a partner.
Formative assessment. Listen to learner explanations, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. Mixing up left and right. Your right hand is the side you write with (for most people); use a hint like a ribbon.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz and worksheet on this page. The 10-mark scheme and all answers are in the answer key above. Re-check every answer and the marking scheme before publication.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Practise left and right with a ribbon on your right hand. Enrichment. Invite learners to find or create three more examples at home or in the classroom and explain them. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which concepts learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
Alignment is pending verification and no external endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points named in the Courseversity standard: Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, Cambridge Primary and the IB Primary Years Programme. Specific standard codes will be added once checked against the official documents.