Position (Year 3)
If something turns in the opposite direction to the hands of a clock, it turns anticlockwise.

Position (Year 3)

Understanding position is a key element of Maths and forms an integral part of the subject in KS2. In Year Three children should be familiar with the four main compass points of North, South, East and West and should also know the difference between a clockwise and an anticlockwise direction. They will now be taught about horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines and the difference between a row and a column on a grid.

Position is about the location of something, or which direction to take to get from A to B. To describe position we use words like horizontal and vertical lines, or clockwise and anticlockwise direction. Understanding what these words mean will help you to read maps and maybe stop you from getting lost!

Do you know North from South or horizontal from vertical lines? Take this quiz and discover what you know about position.

1.
What is a diagonal line?
A line that goes from top to bottom
A line that goes from left to right
A slanted line
A curved line
Diagonal lines are straight, but neither vertical nor horizontal
2.
On a grid, which straight run of squares goes in a horizontal line?
Column
Row
Pole
Strip
The vertical lines of squares are columns
3.
Which compass point is at the top?
North
South
East
West
North points up. The North Pole is at the top of a globe
4.
A right angle turn is equivalent to?
One whole turn
One half turn
Three quarter turn
One quarter turn
If the minute hand on a clock started at the 12 and moved one quarter turn to point at the 3, it would be quarter past the hour
5.
Which way does vertical go?
Up and down
Left to right
Slanted from corner to corner
Curved
The walls of most buildings are vertical
6.
Which compass point is at the bottom?
North
South
East
West
South points down. The South Pole is at the bottom of a globe
7.
If something turns in the opposite direction to the hands of a clock, what is it called?
Clockwise
Nonclockwise
Anticlockwise
Unclockwise
The Sun moves clockwise across the sky - unless you are in the Southern Hemisphere, in which case it moves anticlockwise
8.
Which compass point is on the left?
North
South
East
West
The Sun always sets in the west
9.
Which compass point is on the right?
North
South
East
West
To remember the compass points use a rhyme such as 'Never Eat Slimy Worms'
10.
What is the name given to something that goes from left to right?
Horizontal
Vertical
Diagonal
Column
Horizontal is left to right like the horizon
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Position and direction

Author:  Amanda Swift

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