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. So if you made the move and the instruction is 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.