Recently in Maths, Panthers and Lions have been learning about different types of positional language.
First we learnt to describe the position of something and used cupcake cases to demonstrate our understanding. We noticed that some of the key language in our lessons was very similar, such as ‘above’ and ‘on top’, ‘next to’ and ‘ to the side’.
Then we moved our learning onto understanding full turns and half turns using spinners. We spotted that when you do a full turn, you end up facing the same way you started. To help us express ourselves, we used stem sentences to enable the children to speak three full sentences explaining what they were doing. As the children gained confidence, we started to introduce the language of ‘left’ and ‘right’. We have been enjoying a mix of practical lessons and completing sheets in our books. We are learning to write our numerals neatly, by recording one number in one box so our work can clearly be read by ourselves and by others.
| “I started facing ______.
I did a _____ turn. Now I am facing _____.” |
Next, we learnt to describe where someone is in a line. This was a small sequential step after already looking at changing directions and forming lines to queue at the door every day, giving our learning meaning in real life situations. We recorded what we found out, using 1st, 2nd, 3rd,4th and 5th in our brand new blue Maths books! We also used the words first, second, third, fourth and fifth.
After that, we were ready to focus on describing position using left and right. Our favourite movement breaks in these maths lessons was the well-known Cha Cha slide!
Here is an example of the work we have been doing in our books:
How to help at home:
- Draw attention to positional language whenever you are out and about with your child. Can your child notice that someone turning left and right whilst facing you is mirrored?
- Have a meal and ask your child to lay the table, following instructions such as “put your fork to the left of your plate and your knife to the right of the plate” so they can use what they have learnt to impress family and friends.
- Help your child to use their Numbots Login and start to collect robot parts and earn certificates in our celebration assemblies each Friday!