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Position and Direction
This lesson explains how to describe the location of an object and how it moves using position words such as above, below, and between, directional words like left, right, up, and down, and the four compass points north, south, east, and west.
Describing Position with Words
We use position words to say exactly where something is compared to another object. Some common position words are:
- above and below – describes something higher or lower than another object
- left and right – describes something to one side or the other
- between – describes something in the middle of two other objects
- next to or beside – describes something close to another object
- inside and outside – describes something within or beyond a boundary
Look at the picture below. It shows a star, a circle, and a square arranged on a shelf.
Using position words, we can say the circle is between the star and the square. The star is to the left of the circle, and the square is to the right of the circle. All three shapes are above the bottom shelf and below the top shelf.
Describing Direction: Left, Right, Up, and Down
Direction words tell us which way something moves. The four most common direction words are left, right, up, and down. These words are useful for giving instructions, such as directions on a map or steps in a game.
For example, imagine a robot standing at a starting point on a grid. If we want the robot to reach a target, we might give these instructions:
- Move 3 steps to the right
- Move 2 steps up
- Move 1 step to the left
Following directions in order, one step at a time, is what makes the robot land in exactly the right spot. This same idea of moving in exact steps is also useful when studying the sides and corners of shapes, since shapes are often described using turns and directions. Take a look at Sides and corners of 2D shapes for more on that connection.
Compass Directions: North, South, East, and West
Besides left, right, up, and down, we also use special direction words called compass directions. The four main compass directions are:
- North – usually shown at the top of a map
- South – usually shown at the bottom of a map
- East – usually shown to the right
- West – usually shown to the left
A simple way to remember the order going clockwise from the top is: North, East, South, West.
Compass directions are especially useful when reading maps, since they do not change depending on which way a person is facing, unlike left and right.
Using a Grid to Describe Position
A grid is a helpful tool for showing exact positions. Each object on a grid can be described using row and column position, along with position and direction words. For instance, on a classroom seating chart, we might say a desk is in the second row, third column, or that it sits between two other desks.
Practicing with a grid also connects well to recognizing shapes and their attributes. Once you feel comfortable with position and direction, it can help to review 3D shapes, since describing the faces and corners of solid shapes also relies on position words like above, below, and beside.
Quick Practice
Try describing the position and direction in each situation below:
- A ball rolls from the middle of a room toward the door on the right. Which direction did it move?
- A bird flies from a tree at the bottom of a picture to a cloud at the top. Which direction did it move?
- On a map, your house is drawn above a park and below a school. Where is your house?
Answering questions like these is great practice, whether you use a printed compass directions worksheet, compass points worksheet, or a position and direction worksheet with grids and pictures.