Mathematics K–6 · Kindergarten
Where is the bear: position words with real objects
Measurement and space
The idea
The position of an object is described in relation to another object or person (on, under, beside, between, in front of, behind), so the same object can be described differently from a different place.
Safety card
Hazards
- learners walking while others sit on the floor
Controls
- keep a clear path between furniture
- one learner moves at a time
Note
No chemicals or heat are used, so the NSW Department of Education Chemical Safety in Schools package is not needed; ordinary classroom supervision under the school's usual risk management.
What you need
- 1 small soft toy per pair
- 1 open cardboard box about 30 cm across, 1 chair and 1 table per group
- 12 picture-and-word direction cards: on, under, beside, between, in front of, behind, inside, next to, near, far from, above, below
- a masking-tape square about 1 m by 1 m on the floor
How to do it
- The adult places the toy and says where it is with one position word (the bear is under the chair). Learners point to agree or disagree.
- Learners take turns to draw a direction card, place the toy to match it and say the whole sentence aloud.
- Place the toy on the far side of the box and say where it is (behind the box). Walk round to the other side of the box and describe where the toy is now. Then place it between the box and the chair and describe it from both sides.
- Play a following-directions game: one learner gives a two-step direction (walk to the table, then stand beside the box) and a partner follows it. Swap roles after each turn, six directions each.
- Give the same two steps in the reverse order and follow them again.
- Draw the toy in one position and say or write the sentence that goes with the drawing.
What you should see
The toy ends in the position each card names, and the partner checking the sentence agrees. From the other side of the box the toy that was behind the box is now in front of it, although it has not moved, because a box has no front of its own and in front of and behind are taken from where the speaker stands. Between the box and the chair stays true from either side. Two-step directions are followed in order; when the same steps are given in reverse, the learner finishes in a different place, which shows that the order of directions matters.
What changes
This activity lists no variables to change, measure and keep the same.
Common misconceptions
Each of these ideas is wrong, and the activity is a chance to test it.
- Behind means at the back of the room rather than at the back of the named object.
- An object has only one correct position word.
Curriculum references
The NSW syllabus outcomes and Australian Curriculum v9 codes this activity supports. They are references, not a verified or complete curriculum alignment.
Sources
The pages the author read to write this activity.