How to teach position and maps

Kindergarten to Grade 4

Position and maps work teaches students to describe where things are and how to get from one place to another. It builds from position words (above, below, left, right, between) to following and giving directions, and then to locating a square on a simple grid map by its column letter and row number (like B3).

How to teach it

1. Start with position words using real objects: put the counter above the box, or to the left of the cup.
2. Move to directions: give and follow a short route (forward two, turn right, forward one), the seed of turns and of programming.
3. Introduce a grid map where squares are named by a column letter and a row number, read in that order.
4. Practise both ways: name the square an object is in, and place an object in a named square.
5. Link direction to turns and to the compass (north, south, east, west) as students are ready.

Common mistakes

• Muddling left and right, especially when facing the other way.
• Reading the grid reference in the wrong order (row before column).
• Pointing to a line instead of a square on a labelled-square map.
• Forgetting which way is which after a turn.