E1.4 Describe the relative locations of objects or people, using positional language.

Activity 1: Baskets and Hoops (Vocabulary Associated With Indoor and Outdoor Areas)


Instructions

  • Place three different coloured baskets (for example, red, blue, yellow) on a table.
  • Have a student place objects according to the directions given, using the terms "inside" and "outside".
  • Replace the three baskets with three different coloured hoops (for example red, blue, yellow).
  • Have students place objects according to directions given (for example, outside the red hoop, inside the blue hoop).

Intervention

Ask questions related to the location of objects such as:

  • Where was the ball placed?
  • What is inside the blue hoop?

Source: translated from Guide d’enseignement efficace des mathématiques de la 1re à la 3e année, Géométrie et sens de l'espace, p. 67-68.

Activity 2: Game Simon says


Instructions

Explain to students the rules of the game:

  • Follow the instruction if it is preceded by "Simon says".
  • Ignore the instruction if it is not preceded by "Simon says".
  • Sit down if you make a mistake. For example, if you made the move and the instruction did not start with “Simon says”; or if you did not make the move that started with “Simon says”, you must sit.

Examples of instructions:

  • Simon says, "Put your hands behind your back."
  • Put your hands on your head.

Intervention

Ensure that the directions feature a wide variety of words related to spatial relationships.

Source: translated from Guide d’enseignement efficace des mathématiques de la 1re à la 3e année, Géométrie et sens de l'espace, p. 67.

Activity 3: In Colour Everywhere


Distribute the monthly school/classroom activity calendar.

Examples of questions the teacher could ask the students:

  • Looking at the calendar, what do you notice?
  • Colour the box immediately above the date shown in red. What date is it? How do you know?
  • In which direction should I move my finger to count the number of days between the second and tenth day of the month? How many days are between the two dates?
  • Colour the box between Monday and Wednesday of the second week in blue. Which day of the week is it? Justify your answer.
  • Colour the boxes immediately to the left of all Pizza Days yellow. What do you notice?
  • Colour the box under the date of the cross-country race green. What date is it? How do you know?

Source: adapted and translated from Guide d’enseignement efficace des mathématiques, de la 1re à la 3e année, Géométrie et sens de l'espace, p. 109.