Directions in Space
Match Direction Words to Arrows
Draw a line to match each direction word to the correct arrow.
Which Way? — Forward or Backward
Read each sentence. Circle the correct direction word.
You walk towards the door. You are going…
You step away from the door without turning around. You are going…
A car drives ahead on the road. It goes…
You reverse back to your seat. You go…
Which Way? — Left or Right
Read each sentence. Circle the correct direction.
You write with your right hand. Your pencil is on your… side.
Your heart is on the… side of your body.
The arrow ← points to the…
The arrow → points to the…
Arrow Directions
Look at each arrow. Circle the direction it shows.
↑
↓
←
→
Arrows to Words
Match each arrow to the correct direction word.
Move the Teddy
Teddy is facing the board. Circle the correct answer.
Teddy walks towards the board. Teddy goes…
Teddy walks away from the board without turning. Teddy goes…
Teddy slides to the side nearest the window. Teddy goes…
Teddy slides the other way, towards the door. Teddy goes…
Sort the Direction Words
Sort these words into two groups: words that mean going forward or backward, and words that mean going left or right.
Classroom Directions
You are sitting at your desk, facing the teacher. Circle the right answer.
To walk to the teacher, you go…
To walk to the back of the room, you go…
Your friend sits on your right side. To pass them a pencil, you reach to the…
The bin is behind you. To walk to the bin, you go…
At Home Directions
Think about being at home. Circle the correct direction.
You walk towards the front door to go outside. You go…
You back away from the hot oven. You step…
The bathroom is on the left side of the hallway. You turn…
Your sister's room is on the right. To get there you go…
Direction Words and Symbols
Draw a line from each direction to the matching arrow symbol.
Which Arrow?
Read the direction. Circle the correct arrow.
Go forward
Go backward
Turn left
Turn right
Step right
Match Actions to Arrows
Match each action to the arrow that shows which way you move.
Two-Step Directions (1)
Imagine following these directions. Circle the correct answer.
Go forward 3 steps. Then go right 2 steps. How many steps in total?
Go forward 2 steps, then go left 1 step. Which way did you turn?
Take 4 steps forward. Then take 1 step backward. How many steps forward are you from where you started?
Two-Step Directions (2)
Read each pair of directions. Circle what happens.
Walk forward 2 steps. Turn left. Which way are you now facing?
Walk forward 1 step. Turn right. Which way are you now facing?
Take 3 steps backward. Turn left. You turned to the…
Step right, then step forward. How many steps did you take?
Match the Directions to What Happens
Draw a line to match each pair of directions to the result.
Two-Step Directions (3)
Think about each pair of moves. Circle the answer.
Step forward 2, step left 1. How many moves did you make?
Turn right, walk forward 4. Which direction did you walk?
Walk backward 3, turn right. Are you still facing the same way?
Step left 1, step right 1. Where are you now?
Order the Steps — To the Door
Number these steps in the correct order to walk from your desk to the classroom door.
Order the Steps — To the Bookshelf
Number these steps in the correct order to get from the mat to the bookshelf.
Follow My Steps
A robot follows instructions exactly. Circle what happens.
Robot: Go forward 2, go left 1. How many moves did Robot make?
Robot: Go right 3, go forward 1. Robot is now… steps to the right of where it started.
Robot: Go backward 2, go left 2. Robot made… moves in total.
Where Does the Ball End Up?
Imagine rolling a ball. Circle the answer.
You roll the ball forward, then it bounces left. The ball went in… directions.
You kick the ball forward 5 steps, then it rolls backward 2 steps. The ball is… steps in front of you.
The ball rolls right 3 steps, then forward 1 step. It moved… times.
Order the Steps — Playground
Put these directions in order to walk from the classroom to the playground.
Order the Steps — Kitchen at Home
Put these directions in order to walk from your bedroom to the kitchen.
Write 3-Step Directions
Write 3 steps to tell someone how to get from one place to another in your classroom.
Where are you starting? (e.g. your desk, the door, the mat)
Where are you going? (e.g. the bin, the bookshelf, the teacher's desk)
Write your 3 direction steps. Use words like forward, backward, left, right, turn.
Give Directions to a Friend
Imagine your friend is standing at the classroom door. Write 4 steps to help them get to your desk.
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
How Many Steps?
Count the direction steps. Circle the answer.
Forward 2, turn left, forward 3, turn right. How many steps is that?
Right 1, forward 4, left 2. How many direction steps?
Forward 3, turn right, forward 2, turn left, forward 1. How many direction steps?
Following 3-Step Directions
You are facing the board. Follow the directions in your mind. Circle the answer.
Step forward, turn right, step forward. You are now… of where you started.
Turn left, step forward, turn right. Which way are you now facing?
Step forward 3, turn right, step forward 2. How many steps did you take in total?
Where Is It? — In Front and Behind
Read each sentence. Circle the correct position word.
The teacher stands at the board. The children sit… the teacher.
The dog hides on the other side of the couch. The dog is… the couch.
You are first in the line. Everyone else is… you.
The car parks facing the shop. The shop is… the car.
Where Is It? — Next to and Between
Read each sentence. Circle the correct position word.
The pencil is on the left side of the book. The pencil is… the book.
The cup is placed with a spoon on the left and a plate on the right. The cup is… the spoon and the plate.
Your chair is right beside your desk. Your chair is… your desk.
Tuesday comes after Monday and before Wednesday. Tuesday is… Monday and Wednesday.
Where Is It? — Above and Below
Read each sentence. Circle the correct position word.
The clock is on the wall, high up. The clock is… the door.
Your shoes are under the bed. Your shoes are… the bed.
The bird flies over the tree. The bird is… the tree.
The mat is on the floor. The table is… the mat.
Match Position Words to Pictures
Match each position word to the sentence that describes it.
Sort Position Words
Sort these position words into two groups.
Classroom Positions
Think about your classroom. Circle the best answer.
The board is usually… the teacher's desk.
The clock is usually… the children's heads.
The rubbish bin is usually… the teacher's desk.
Your pencil case sits… your desk.
Describe Where Things Are
Look around the room. Use position words to describe where things are.
What is in front of you?
What is behind you?
What is next to you on the left?
What is above you?
Where Is the Cat?
The cat is moving around the house. Circle the correct position word.
The cat sits on the mat near the door. The cat is… the door.
The cat hides under the bed. The cat is… the bed.
The cat climbs on top of the cupboard. The cat is… the cupboard.
The cat squeezes into the gap between the couch and the wall. The cat is… the couch and the wall.
Match the Position
Match each sentence to the correct position word.
Position Word Challenge
Circle the correct position word for each sentence.
The fish swims… the water.
The picture hangs… the fireplace.
Mum sits… Dad and me on the couch.
The welcome mat is… the front door.
What Is a Turn?
Read about each type of turn. Circle the correct answer.
A quarter turn is like the hands on a clock moving from 12 to…
A half turn is like the hands on a clock moving from 12 to…
A full turn means you spin all the way around and face the… direction as before.
If you make two quarter turns, that is the same as one…
Quarter Turn Practice
You are facing the board. Circle which way you face after the turn.
Make a quarter turn to the right. You now face the…
Make a quarter turn to the left. You now face the…
Make a quarter turn to the right, then another quarter turn to the right. You now face the…
Make a quarter turn to the left, then another quarter turn to the left. You now face the…
Half Turn Practice
You are facing the window. Circle which way you face after the turn.
Make a half turn. You now face the…
Make another half turn. You now face the…
Make a half turn, then a quarter turn to the right. You now face the…
Match the Turn
Match each turn to how far around you spin.
Sort the Turns
Sort these descriptions into the correct type of turn.
Turn and Face
You are facing the door. Circle the answer.
Quarter turn right → you face the…
Half turn → you face…
Full turn → you face…
Quarter turn left → you face the…
How Much Did I Turn?
Read each clue. Circle the type of turn.
I was facing north. Now I face south. I made a…
I was facing the TV. Now I face the side wall. I made a…
I spun around and I'm facing the same way. I made a…
I was facing Mum. Now I face the kitchen on my right. I made a…
Draw the Turns
For each turn, draw an arrow showing which way you would face. Start by facing up (↑).
Quarter turn to the right → Draw an arrow showing which way you now face.
Half turn → Draw an arrow showing which way you now face.
Quarter turn to the left → Draw an arrow showing which way you now face.
Clock Face Turns
Think of a clock. The hand starts at 12 (pointing up). Circle the answer.
The hand moves from 12 to 3. That is a…
The hand moves from 12 to 9. That is a…
The hand moves from 12 all the way back to 12. That is a…
The hand moves from 3 to 9. That is a…
Follow the Long Path (1)
Imagine following these directions. Circle the correct answer.
Start facing forward. Step forward 2. Turn right. Step forward 3. Turn left. Step forward 1. How many steps did you take?
Start facing the board. Quarter turn right. Walk forward 4. Half turn. Walk forward 2. You are now… steps from where you turned.
Step forward 3. Turn left. Step forward 2. Turn left. Step forward 3. You are now facing…
Follow the Long Path (2)
Read the directions carefully. Circle the answer.
Forward 1, right 1, forward 1, left 1, forward 1. How many steps altogether?
Forward 3, half turn, forward 3. Where are you now?
Quarter turn right, forward 2, quarter turn right, forward 2, quarter turn right, forward 2, quarter turn right, forward 2. Where are you?
Order the Steps — Library Trip
Put these directions in order to walk from your classroom to the library.
Order the Steps — Obstacle Course
Put these obstacle course directions in the right order.
Grid Directions (1)
Imagine a grid with squares. You start in the bottom-left corner facing up (↑). Circle the answer.
Move forward 2 squares, turn right, move forward 1 square. How many squares did you move?
Move forward 3 squares, turn right, move forward 3 squares. What shape have you started to trace?
Move forward 1, right 1, forward 1, right 1. You went in a… shape.
Move forward 4, turn left, move forward 2. Where are you compared to start?
Grid Directions (2)
You are on a grid. You start at the red dot facing up (↑). Circle the correct answer.
Forward 2, right 2, backward 2, left 2. What shape did you make?
Forward 3, right 1, backward 1, right 1, forward 1. How many squares did you visit (not counting start)?
Forward 1, quarter turn right, forward 1, quarter turn right, forward 1, quarter turn right, forward 1. Where do you end up?
Draw the Path on a Grid
Follow the directions and draw the path on the grid below.
Start at the bottom-left corner. Go forward 3 squares. Turn right. Go forward 2 squares. Turn right. Go forward 3 squares. What shape did you draw? Write the shape name.
Draw the path you followed on the grid.
Write Grid Directions
Write directions to move from one corner of a 4x4 grid to the opposite corner.
Write step-by-step directions using forward, backward, left, right, and turn. Try to find the shortest path!
How many steps was your path?
Direction Writing Challenge (1)
Write directions to get from the school gate to your classroom. Use as many direction words as you can!
Write at least 5 steps. Use words like: forward, backward, left, right, turn, quarter turn, half turn, next to, between.
How many different direction words did you use? Write the number.
Direction Writing Challenge (2)
Write directions for a friend to walk from the classroom to the playground. Your friend has never been to your school before!
Write clear, step-by-step directions. Remember to say how many steps and which way to turn.
Turn Detective
Think carefully about turns. Circle the correct answer.
If you make four quarter turns to the right, that is the same as…
Two half turns is the same as…
You face north. You make a quarter turn left. You now face…
You face the door. You make a three-quarter turn to the right. That is the same as a quarter turn to the…
Tricky Turns
These are tricky! Think carefully. Circle the correct answer.
I make a half turn. Then I make another half turn. I am now facing…
I make 3 quarter turns to the right. That is the same as 1 quarter turn to the…
I face the window. I make a quarter turn right, then a half turn. I now face the…
I make a full turn, then a half turn. I am now facing…
Explain the Turn
Answer these questions in your own words.
What is the difference between a quarter turn and a half turn?
If you are lost, why is it important to know left and right?
Why do we need to give clear directions? What could go wrong if the directions are not clear?
Design a Treasure Map
Design your own treasure map! Draw a simple map and write directions to find the treasure.
Draw your treasure map here. Include a start point (marked with a star) and a treasure (marked with an X).
Write the directions to get from the star to the treasure. Use at least 5 direction words.
Reverse Directions
If you followed directions one way, what would you do to go back? Circle the answer.
You went forward 3 steps. To go back, you go… 3 steps.
You turned left. To undo that turn, you turn…
You went: forward 2, turn right, forward 1. To return, you go: backward 1, turn…, backward 2.
You made a half turn. To undo it, you make another…
Giving Good Directions
Which set of directions is clearest? Circle the best one.
How to get to the office:
How to find the book:
How to get to the park:
Fix the Directions
Something is wrong with each set of directions. Circle the mistake.
To get to the office: 'Walk forward 5 steps, turn up, walk forward 3 steps.' What is wrong?
To get to the library: 'Turn left, turn left, turn left.' What is the problem?
To get to the playground: 'Walk forward.' What is missing?
Reverse the Route
The directions below go FROM the library TO the classroom. Number them in reverse order to go FROM the classroom TO the library.
Left or Right? — Tricky!
Think carefully about these tricky questions. Circle the answer.
You face a friend. Your friend raises their right hand. From YOUR view, their hand is on your…
You face a mirror. You wave your right hand. The mirror shows the wave on the…
You and your friend both face the board. You are on your friend's left. Your friend is on your…
Direction Word Roundup
How many direction and position words can you remember? Write as many as you can!
Write all the direction and position words you know. (Hint: think of forward, backward, left, right, turns, and position words like behind, above…)
Pick 3 of your words and write a sentence using each one.
Direction Words vs Position Words
Sort these words. Direction words tell you how to MOVE. Position words tell you WHERE something IS.
Real Life Directions
Think about a time you needed to give or follow directions. Answer these questions.
When have you needed to follow directions? (e.g. finding a room, playing a game, following a recipe)
Write directions from your front door to your favourite room at home.
What position words describe where your bed is in your room? (e.g. next to the wall, between the window and the door)
Home Activity: Direction Treasure Hunt
Play a direction game with someone at home!
- 1Hide a toy and write 3-step directions for someone to find it using forward, backward, left, and right.
- 2Play 'Robot': one person gives directions, the other follows them exactly — no peeking!
- 3Use masking tape to make a grid on the floor. Take turns giving directions to move across the grid.
- 4Give directions to walk from your bedroom to the kitchen using only direction words.
- 5Practise quarter turns, half turns, and full turns. Can you spin exactly a quarter turn with your eyes closed?
Home Activity: Position Word Scavenger Hunt
Go on a position word scavenger hunt around your home!
- 1Find something that is ABOVE the TV.
- 2Find something that is BEHIND the couch.
- 3Find something that is BETWEEN two other things.
- 4Find something that is NEXT TO your bed.
- 5Find something that is IN FRONT OF the fridge.
- 6Draw a map of your room and label items using position words: next to, between, above, below, behind, in front of.