Directing Me
This unit introduces some of the key concepts of position and direction in the context of a series of games.
describe where objects are using the language of position
give and follow instructions using the language of position and direction
At Level 1 the Position element of Geometry consists of gaining experience in using everyday language to describe position and direction of movement, and interpreting others’ descriptions of position and movement.
Spatial understandings are developed around four types of mathematical questions: direction (which way?), distance (how far?), location (where?), and representation (what objects?). In answering these questions, students need to develop a variety of skills that relate to direction, distance, and position in space.
Teachers should extend young students' knowledge of relative position in space through conversations, demonstrations, and stories. When students act out the story of the three billy goats and illustrate over and under, near and far, and between, they are learning about location, space, and shape. Gradually students should distinguish navigation ideas such as left and right along with the concepts of distance and measurement. As they build three-dimensional models and read maps of their own environments, students can discuss which blocks are used to represent various objects like a desk or a file cabinet. They can mark paths on the model, such as from a table to the wastebasket, with masking tape to emphasise the shape of the path. Teachers should help students relate their models to other representations by drawing a map of the same room that includes the path. In similar activities, older students should develop map skills that include making route maps and using simple coordinates to locate their school on a city map (Liben and Downs 1989).
Getting Started
- Introduce the topic of position by asking a series of questions that require answers that use position and direction language. Where are the crayons? (On the shelf, at the back of the class.) Where is Sarah sitting? (On the mat, beside Sally, behind Peter.) Where would I have to walk to get outside? (Around the teacher’s desk, past the tote trays, through the door.)
- As students answer questions write down the words they use that describe position or direction.
- Ask students to suggest why you have chosen these words to write down.
- Explain that these are words that we use to describe where things are or where they are going.
- Add to the list to include any other words students can suggest. Ensure that all students understand all the words on the list. Retain this list to refer back to during the week.
- Now try asking some questions to test students understanding. I am thinking of something that is under Sam’s desk – what is it? (Chair.) I am thinking of something that is on the shelf beside the dictionaries – what is it? (Atlas.)
- Play a game of Simon Says, using language of position and direction (Simon Says: stand on your chair, crouch under your desk, turn to your left/right, step forward/backward, put your left/right hand up)
Exploring
Over the next few days the students should be introduced to games which reinforce their understanding of the language they discussed on the first day.
My Building
In this activity students are practicing using the language of position to describe a ‘building’ they have made from multi link cubes (or similar).
- One student builds a ‘building’ from multi link cubes, hiding it from their partner.
- They then describe the building to their partner so that they can replicate it. Encourage the use of language of direction. “The red cube is on top of the blue cube, the green cube is on the left of the blue cube, the yellow cube is in front of the blue cube.”
- Compare buildings to see if they are the same.
Students should start with only three or four cubes all of different colours, and increase the number only if they get the first few correct.
This activity could be done using other equipment if multi link cubes are not available (cuisenaire rods, lego, etc.)
This activity could also be a small group, or whole class activity if there is enough equipment for everyone to have some. The teacher could give the instructions while everyone else builds, then students take a turn at giving instructions.
My Picture
This activity is the same as ‘My Building’, except that instead of building the students draw, using crayons, or coloured pens. They should use simple shapes, For example “I have drawn a blue circle in the middle of the page. There is a red square on the left, and a pink triangle on top of the square. On the right there is a brown oval.”
Which Box?
In this activity students follow directions to one of five boxes/containers. On a tennis court or field place 5 boxes. Mark places on the field for groups of children to stand. The students follow instructions from their spot to a box.
Fetch
This game is like the Which Box? activity but students play in pairs. One player is directed to go to fetch an object placed somewhere on the field by following instructions given by their partner. Encourage the use of a variety of language of direction. (Turn left/right, straight ahead, move to the left/right, put your hand down on your left/right, etc.)
Reflecting
Ask students to write a story, which uses as many of the words from the class list of position/direction words as possible. Provide support and reinforcement – possibly read a story such as “Where’s Spot?” to get students thinking on the right track.
Dear Family,
This week in maths we are studying position and direction. Encourage your child to use language to describe where objects are in relation to each other. Ask your child to describe the path they would follow to get out of their room if there was a fire. Ask them to describe the route they take to get to school.
Similar Resources
Street Maps
In this unit students use street maps as the context to learn about grid references, and for giving and following instructions involving directions and distances. In this unit students use street maps as the context to learn about grid references, and for giving and following instructions involving directions and distances.
Robots
In this unit students explore movement and direction concepts in the context of programming a robot to move. They will be developing sets of instructions to accomplish tasks, focusing on the use of right, left, forward, backwards and quarter turns.
Rescue!
In this unit students explore movement and position concepts. They draw maps and write directions focusing on the use of right, left, up and down. They will be introduced to the concept of North, South, East, and West and the use of these positions on maps.
Scatter Cat!
In this unit students explore movement and position using the popular Lynley Dodd character Hairy MacLary. Students explore the language of position in describing where an object is located and in giving and following sequences of movement instructions. They will move themselves and objects along paths and will describe the movement of others.
Castle Construction
This is a level 4 measurement strand activity from the Figure It Out series.
