Using directional language | Maths | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

Which words could be used to tell somebody which way to go?

left ✓

stop

right ✓

sit
Which toy is at the front of the line?

panda

robot ✓

teddy

rocket
Find all the pictures of a shark.

a ✓

b

c

d ✓
Find all the pictures of a turtle.

a

b ✓

c ✓

d
Which image shows the same party hat as this one?

a ✓

b

c
What would Izzy see?

a

b ✓

c

Exit quiz

Look at the arrows. Match the arrow to the direction.

Arrow a is pointing to the

⇔

left ✓

Arrow b is pointing to the

⇔

right ✓
Izzy went for a walk. What is on her left? What is on her right?

The tree is on Izzy's

⇔

left ✓

The flower is on Izzy's

⇔

right ✓
In which direction are the arrows pointing?

'up' ✓
In which direction would the mouse go to find the cheese?

'down' ✓
Which directions would help the mouse to find the cheese?

Go left 2 squares. Go up 2 squares. ✓

Go right 2 squares. Go down 2 squares.
Which direction would not help Pedro to find his family?

Go right 3 squares ✓

Go down 2 squares

Go left 3 squares

Worksheet

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Presentation

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Video

Lesson Details

Key learning points

Left and right can be used to describe position and direction.
Directions can be given using left, right, up and down.

Common misconception

Children can find it difficult to understand that another person's left is not is the same as their own - for example, when facing someone, their partner's left hand is on the opposite side to theirs.

Model directions from the children's own perspective - face the same way they are facing when you are describing what is on the left and right.

Keywords

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.
Up - Towards a higher place or position. From a lower to a higher point.
Down - Towards a lower place or position. From a higher to a lower point.