Year 1 - Maths
Using directional language
Position and direction including fractions of turns
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will describe position direction and movement including whole half quarter and three-quarter turns. 
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use the words left, right, up and down to follow and give directions.
Key Notes
- Left and right can be used to describe position and direction.
- Directions can be given using left, right, up and down.
Vocabulary To Learn
- 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.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- 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.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.
Left and right can be used to describe position and direction. Directions can be given using left, right, up and down.
2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'Left'
A word used to describe position or the direction of a turn. When facing North, left is to the West. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.
3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.
Mistake: 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. Correction: 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.
More Lessons In This Unit
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