Where Is It? Position Words and Simple Maps

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What this lesson covers

  • Position words tell us where something is.
  • We can say where a place is by naming something nearby.
  • A map shows a place from above.
  • Maps use small pictures, called symbols, for things.
Key idea

Position words

  • These words tell us where something is.
  • Many come in pairs of opposites.
WordOppositeExample
abovebelowThe clock is above the door.
onunderThe cat is under the table.
in front ofbehindAna stands behind Sam.
insideoutsideThe pencil is inside the box.
topbottomThe book is on the top shelf.
leftrightThe door is on your left.
Key idea

Try it: find the opposite

Key idea

Left and right

  • Hold up both hands, palms away from you. Stick out your thumbs.
  • Your left hand makes an L shape.
  • Turn around and your left and right swap sides of the room.
Worked example

Say where things are

  • Look at a picture and tell a story about where things are.
ThingWhere it is
the catunder the table
the cupon the table
the ballnext to the cat
the birdabove the window
the bagbehind the chair
Key idea

Use a landmark

  • A landmark is something everyone knows, like the hall or a big tree.
  • Say where a place is by naming a landmark: the library is next to the hall.
  • The dairy is across the road from the park.
Key idea

Maps look from above

  • A map shows a place as a bird would see it, looking down.
  • Small pictures called symbols show things like trees, roads and buildings.
  • A map helps you find your way.
Key idea

Try it: from above or from the side?

Worked example

Follow the steps

  • Start at the classroom door.
  • Walk forward 5 steps. Turn left.
  • The book box is on your right.

Common mistakes

  • Mixing up left and right.
    Hold up your hands. The one that makes an L is your left.
  • Behind means under.
    Behind means at the back. Under means below.
  • A map shows a place from the side.
    A map shows a place from above, like a bird looking down.
  • Inside and on mean the same thing.
    On is on top. Inside is in the middle, with the box around it.

Your turn

  • 1. On the map, what is to the right of you?
  • 2. On the map, what is just above you?
  • 3. On the map, what is just below the tree?
  • 4. A bird flies high over a house. Is the bird above or below the house?
  • 5. Is a map drawn from the side or from above?
a playground map, seen from above
LeftMiddleRight
treeswingslide
sandpityoubench
gatepathtap
1
2
3
4
5
Show answer

1. The bench 2. The swing 3. The sandpit 4. Above 5. From above

Summary

What to take away

  • Position words tell us where things are.
  • Use a landmark to say where a place is.
  • A map shows a place from above, with symbols.
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Shapes: Faces, Edges, Corners and Building ShapesNotesWhere Is It? Position Words and Simple MapsNotes

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