Year 1 - Maths
Using positional and proportional language
Position and direction including fractions of turns
Study Hub
Study Guides
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 describe the position of an object using the correct vocabulary.
Key Notes
- Most positional words describe where an object is in relation to one other position.
- In between describes where an object is in relation to two other positions.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Above/below: Above shows the position of an object is higher than something else. Below shows that it is lower.
- Over/under/on: Over/under shows the position of something is directly above/beneath something else. On shows that it is sitting on top of something else.
- In front/behind: In front shows the position of an object is further forward than something else. Behind shows that it is further back.
- Between: Between describes the position of an object being in the space separating two other objects.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Children may confuse some of the terms such as 'below' and 'between'.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.
Most positional words describe where an object is in relation to one other position. In between describes where an object is in relation to two other positions.
2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'Above/below'
Above shows the position of an object is higher than something else. Below shows that it is lower. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.
3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.
Mistake: Children may confuse some of the terms such as 'below' and 'between'. Correction: Create visuals to display which will prompt children to think about the meaning of each word. Give opportunities to explore these words in play, for example when building with blocks ask children to place the red block above the green block.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 1 Maths guide library.