Position and Direction - Describe Position - Presentation

In the lesson on position and direction, Year 5 students will revisit the concept of describing positions using coordinates on a grid. The lesson begins with a discussion on what coordinates are and explores their practical applications in real life. Students are then encouraged to create a large grid in the classroom, using either chalk or masking tape, and to physically position themselves at given coordinates. This interactive approach helps to cement their understanding of navigating a grid by moving along the axes in the correct order. The importance of reading axes in the correct sequence is emphasised, as this is crucial for accurately locating points on a grid.

Subsequent activities involve writing down the coordinates of various points displayed on the grid, with an emphasis on understanding the significance of the order in which the axes are read. Students are also presented with a fun challenge of writing out the coordinates that spell their names, as well as the names of their classmates, using a grid where letters are associated with specific coordinates. This engaging task not only reinforces their knowledge of coordinates but also adds a personal touch to the learning experience. The lesson concludes with reasoning exercises where students must determine the correct coordinates of a point and identify mistakes in the plotting of points, further developing their critical thinking skills in the context of position and direction.