Learn · Mathematics · Class 1

Position & Direction

Above, below, left, right, saying exactly where something is.

6 parts
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Turn this on and each part is read out as you reach it.
boxabove🐱🐭below🐦left🐝right
The cat is above the box. The mouse is below it.
🧩 The partsLeft and rightPart 2 of 6
✏️ Worked exampleGiving directionsPart 3 of 6
🔍 In detailTurningPart 4 of 6
✅ SummaryYou know where!Part 5 of 6
A signpost pointing several ways, which is what direction words do in a sentence. Photo: Fonamcjimmyjimmy, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
A signpost pointing several ways, which is what direction words do in a sentence. Photo: Fonamcjimmyjimmy, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
1📘 DefinitionPart 1 / 6

Position words

Position words tell us where something is.

Above, below, on, under, in front, behind, left, right.

🎯 The mouse is where?
2🧩 The partsPart 2 / 6

Left and right

You have a left hand and a right hand.

Hold them up. Which one do you write with?

🎯 The bee is on which side of the box?
3✏️ Worked examplePart 3 / 6

Giving directions

We use these words to help people find things.

"The ball is under the chair." Now they know where to look!

🎯 Where would you look for shoes "under the bed"?
4🔍 In detailPart 4 / 6

Turning

We can turn left or right. We can turn all the way around.

Stand up and try a half turn, now you face the other way!

🎯 If you turn all the way around you face…
5✅ SummaryPart 5 / 6

You know where!

  • Position words say where.
  • Above, below, left, right.
  • We turn left and right.
6✏️ Worked examplePart 6 / 6

Watch one worked through

Here is one done slowly, with the reason for every move. Then one for you.

Let me show you

The cat is under the table. The ball is next to the cat. Where is the ball?

  1. table └─ under: 🐈
    Find the first thing you are told about. The cat is under the table.
    Start from the thing whose position you already know for certain.
  2. table └─ under: 🐈 ⟷ ⚽
    The ball is next to the cat, and the cat is under the table.
    Position words join up. If you know where one thing is, you can work out the next.
  3. ⚽ = under the table
    So the ball is under the table too.
    Reading the sentences in order is what makes this work. Jumping ahead loses the chain.

Answer: Under the table

Now you try

The book is on the shelf. The pen is on top of the book. Is the pen above or below the shelf?

Show the answer

above

Practise Position & Direction

Everything on QuizByt for Class 1 Mathematics that goes with this lesson: read it first, then test yourself while it is fresh.

🧠 3 quizzes on Position & Direction (3 easy)

Start easy straight after reading, while Position & Direction is fresh, and the score is kept against this topic.

🖨️ Printable worksheet

Position & Direction on paper for Class 1, with room to write the working out. Preview the first page free.

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