Use mathematical vocabulary to describe movement | Maths

Starter quiz

Which direction would move the counter into the shaded box?

Down 4 squares

Down 3 squares

Up 4 squares

Up 3 squares ✓
The pentagon is to the ______ of the cube.

'left' ✓
Tick the sentences that are true.

The flower is on Izzy’s right.

The bird is on Izzy’s left. ✓

The squirrel is on Izzy’s right. ✓

The lamppost is on Izzy’s left.
The orange is to the ______ of the lemon.

'left' ✓
Which direction will move the counter onto the shaded square?

Move 3 squares to the left.

Move 2 squares to the left.

Move 3 squares to the right.

Move 2 squares to the right. ✓
Tick the sentences that are true.

The rocket is on the left of the unicorn. ✓

The ball is on the left of the robot. ✓

The robot is on the right of the car.

The bear is on the right of the rocket.

Exit quiz

The sheep needs to move forwards ___ squares to reach the grass.

1

2 ✓

3

4
Tick the sentences that are true.

The ladybird is moving forwards across the grid.

The ladybird is moving backwards across the grid. ✓

The cat is moving forwards across the grid. ✓

The cat is moving backwards across the grid.
The pen is in Alex’s ______ hand.

'right' ✓
Which directions are labelled correctly?

a

b

c ✓
Which directions would help Pedro find his milkshake?

Move 1 square to your left and 2 squares forwards.

Move 1 square to your right and 2 squares forwards.

Move 1 square to your left and 2 squares backwards. ✓

Move 1 square to your right and 2 squares backwards.
Complete the directions to help the sheep find the grass. Move 2 squares forwards and move 2 squares to your __________.

left

right ✓

Worksheet

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

Forwards and backwards can be used to describe movement in a straight line.
Left and right can be used to describe movement in a straight line.
Direction is dependent on which way a person is facing.

Common misconception

Children can find it confusing that direction is dependent on which way someone is facing, and so forwards, backwards, left or right will not always appear in the same direction.

Provide opportunities for children to experience movement in a straight line from different starting points, e.g. chalking a grid on the floor outside for them to move around in, or describing the movement of a toy car as they drive it along a track.

Keywords

Forwards - To move in the direction you are facing.
Backwards - To move in the opposite direction to which you are facing.
Left - A word used to describe position or the direction of a turn. When facing North, left is to the West.
Right - A word used to describe position or the direction of a turn. When facing North, right is to the East.