Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Solve problems involving position, direction and rotation

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can give and follow directions involving movements to the left and right, forwards and backwards and turning clockwise and anticlockwise.

      Key learning points

      1. Directions can include quarter, half, three quarter and full turns.
      2. Turns can be described as clockwise or anticlockwise.
      3. Directions can include forwards, backwards, left and right.
      4. Direction is dependent on the way the person is facing.

      Keywords

      • Directions - A set of instructions to tell someone which way to go.

      Common misconception

      Children can find it difficult to identify someone else's left and right if they are facing a different direction to them.

      Encourage children to orient themselves so they are facing the same way as the person they are identifying the left or right side of. Experience in different ways that when someone is opposite you, their left side is the opposite side to your left.

      Teacher tip

      This lesson is designed to provide opportunities for children to be creative and explore lots of different ways of moving, rather than always choosing the most efficient way. Other purposeful links to movement could be made, for example when teaching dance or simple wake and shake routines.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

      Loading...

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      The robot is on the of the ball.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: right

      Q2.
      To reach his milkshake, Pedro needs to move backwards 2 squares and then 1 square to his __________.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: left
      right

      Q3.
      Jun is facing the tree. He makes a quarter turn anticlockwise. Now he is facing the __________.

      An image in a quiz
      tree
      house
      church
      Correct answer: slide

      Q4.
      How could you complete this sentence so that it is correct? When you make a half turn …

      you will end up facing the same way you started.
      Correct answer: you will end up facing the opposite way to where you started.
      you will end up facing a different way if you turn clockwise or anticlockwise.
      Correct answer: you will end up facing the same way if you turn clockwise or anticlockwise.

      Q5.
      How could you complete these directions so that Pedro can reach his milkshake? Make a quarter turn anticlockwise. Go forwards 1 square...

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: make a quarter turn anticlockwise. Go forwards 2 squares.
      Correct answer: make a three-quarter turn clockwise. Go forwards 2 squares.
      make a quarter turn clockwise. Go forwards 2 squares.
      make a half turn anticlockwise. Go forwards 2 squares.

      Q6.
      Complete the directions to help Pedro reach his milkshake. Pedro makes a half turn. He should take one step to his and then go forwards 2 squares.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: right

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which coin will Jun collect if he follows these directions? Move forwards 1 square. Move 1 square to your left.

      An image in a quiz
      5 pence
      10 pence
      Correct answer: 1 pence

      Q2.
      Complete the directions for Jun to collect the 5 pence coin. Move backwards 1 square. Move 1 square to your .

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: right

      Q3.
      Which toys will Jun collect if he follows these directions? Move forwards 1 square. Move 3 squares to your left. Make a half turn. Move forwards 3 squares.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: dragon
      Correct answer: bear
      robot
      unicorn

      Q4.
      Which toy will Jun collect if he follows these directions? Make a quarter turn anticlockwise. Move 1 square to your left. Move forwards 3 squares.

      An image in a quiz
      dragon
      bear
      Correct answer: robot
      unicorn

      Q5.
      Izzy has a computer game that can draw lines when she gives it directions. She used her game to draw a rectangle. Which directions did she give?

      a)
      Correct answer: b)

      Q6.
      Izzy wants to complete her drawing of a hexagon. Which directions could she give?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: Make a quarter turn anticlockwise. Move forwards 2 dots.
      Make a quarter turn clockwise. Move forwards 2 dots.
      Correct answer: Make a three-quarter turn clockwise. Move forwards 2 dots.
      Make a three-quarter turn anticlockwise. Move forwards 2 dots.

      To help you plan your 2 maths lesson on: Solve problems involving position, direction and rotation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...