New
New
Year 2

Use mathematical vocabulary to describe movement

I can use mathematical vocabulary such as forwards, backwards, left and right to describe movement.

New
New
Year 2

Use mathematical vocabulary to describe movement

I can use mathematical vocabulary such as forwards, backwards, left and right to describe movement.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Forwards and backwards can be used to describe movement in a straight line.
  2. Left and right can be used to describe movement in a straight line.
  3. Direction is dependent on which way a person is facing.

Common misconception

Children can find it confusing that direction is dependent on which way someone is facing, and so forwards, backwards, left or right will not always appear in the same direction.

Provide opportunities for children to experience movement in a straight line from different starting points, e.g. chalking a grid on the floor outside for them to move around in, or describing the movement of a toy car as they drive it along a track.

Keywords

  • Forwards - To move in the direction you are facing.

  • Backwards - To move in the opposite direction to which you are facing.

  • 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.

Teachers need to be aware of their left and right compared to the children's. Try facing the same way as the children so that they can see their left is only the same as your left when you are facing the same direction.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which direction would move the counter into the shaded box?
An image in a quiz
Down 4 squares
Down 3 squares
Up 4 squares
Correct answer: Up 3 squares
Q2.
The pentagon is to the of the cube.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: left
Q3.
Tick the sentences that are true.
An image in a quiz
The flower is on Izzy’s right.
Correct answer: The bird is on Izzy’s left.
Correct answer: The squirrel is on Izzy’s right.
The lamppost is on Izzy’s left.
Q4.
The orange is to the of the lemon.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: left
Q5.
Which direction will move the counter onto the shaded square?
An image in a quiz
Move 3 squares to the left.
Move 2 squares to the left.
Move 3 squares to the right.
Correct answer: Move 2 squares to the right.
Q6.
Tick the sentences that are true.
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: The rocket is on the left of the unicorn.
Correct answer: The ball is on the left of the robot.
The robot is on the right of the car.
The bear is on the right of the rocket.

6 Questions

Q1.
The sheep needs to move forwards ___ squares to reach the grass.
An image in a quiz
1
Correct answer: 2
3
4
Q2.
Tick the sentences that are true.
An image in a quiz
The ladybird is moving forwards across the grid.
Correct answer: The ladybird is moving backwards across the grid.
Correct answer: The cat is moving forwards across the grid.
The cat is moving backwards across the grid.
Q3.
The pen is in Alex’s hand.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: right
Q4.
Which directions are labelled correctly?
a
b
Correct answer: c
Q5.
Which directions would help Pedro find his milkshake?
An image in a quiz
Move 1 square to your left and 2 squares forwards.
Move 1 square to your right and 2 squares forwards.
Correct answer: Move 1 square to your left and 2 squares backwards.
Move 1 square to your right and 2 squares backwards.
Q6.
Complete the directions to help the sheep find the grass. Move 2 squares forwards and move 2 squares to your __________.
An image in a quiz
left
Correct answer: right

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