Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 3

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Use words to describe where objects are.
• Give and follow simple directions.
• Draw a simple map of a familiar place.
• Read a simple map to find things.

Lesson summary

This week, we're going to explore the exciting world of position, direction, and mapping! Understanding where things are, how to get to them, and how to represent places on a map is super important. Imagine you're playing a game of hide-and-seek with your friends, or giving someone directions to your favourite tuck shop, or even helping your family find their way to Grandma's house for Sunday lunch. All of these activities rely on knowing about position, direction, and mapping! In a country like South Africa, with its diverse landscapes and bustling cities, knowing how to navigate and understand spatial relationships is a valuable life skill.

Lesson notes

Let's break down the key ideas we'll be working with this week: Position: This refers to where something is located. We use words to describe its location relative to other things. Think of it like playing "hot and cold" - you need to know where you are in relation to the hidden object!

Positional Words: These are words that help us describe position.

Some common examples include: Above: Higher than something else (e.g., "The picture is above the bookshelf.")

Below: Lower than something else (e.g., "The cat is below the table.")

Next to: Beside something else (e.g., "The shop is next to the bakery.")

In front of: Facing forward, ahead of something else (e.g., "The learner is in front of the teacher.")

Behind: At the back of something else (e.g., "The car is behind the bus.")

Left: The side of your body when you face forward (e.g., "The blue building is on the left.")

Right: The side of your body opposite your left when you face forward (e.g., "The red building is on the right.")

Between: In the middle of two objects (e.g., "The church is between the school and the park.")

Example: Imagine a classroom. The teacher's desk is in front of the learners. The blackboard is behind the teacher. A window is next to the door.

Direction: This refers to the way you are moving or facing. It's like being a taxi driver and knowing where you need to go and how to get there!

Directional Language: These are words that help us describe the way we are moving.

Some common examples include: Forward: Moving ahead (e.g., "Walk forward to the end of the road.")

Backward: Moving in reverse (e.g., "Step backward carefully.")

Turn left: Change direction to the left (e.g., "Turn left at the corner.")

Turn right: Change direction to the right (e.g., "Turn right at the traffic lights.")

Example: "To get to the library from the school gate, walk forward until you see the big tree. Then, turn left and walk a little bit further. The library will be on your right." Mapping: This is a way to represent a place on a flat surface (like a piece of paper). It's like being an architect drawing plans for a new building!

Simple Maps: These are drawings that show the locations of objects and places in a simple way.

Symbols: Pictures or shapes that represent real things on a map. (e.g., A tree symbol represents an actual tree)

Key/Legend: Explains what each symbol on the map represents. Without a key, we wouldn't know what the symbols mean!

Example: You could draw a map of your classroom. You could use a rectangle to represent each desk, a square to represent the blackboard, and a circle to represent a dustbin. You would then create a key to explain that the rectangle means "desk," the square means "blackboard," and the circle means "dustbin." Important

Note: When describing position and direction, it is important to have a point of reference. For example, if you say "the ball is on the left," you need to specify whose left you are talking about. Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: Thando is sitting next to Sipho. Aisha is sitting behind Sipho. Draw a simple diagram to show where Thando and Aisha are sitting in relation to Sipho. Describe their positions using positional words.

Solution: Draw Sipho. Draw Thando next to Sipho (either on the left or the right). Draw Aisha behind Sipho.

The description could be: "Thando is next to Sipho. Aisha is behind Sipho." The relative position of Thando (left or right of Sipho) should also be noted.

Question 2: You are standing at the entrance of your school. The tuck shop is forward and to the right. Give one-step and two-step directions to get to the tuck shop.

Solution: One-step direction: "Go forward and to the right." Two-step direction: "Walk forward. Then, turn right." Question 3: Look at the simple map below: ``` Key: 🌳 = Tree 🏠 = House 🅿️ = Parking 🧍 = You (Starting Point) 🌳 | | 🏠 -- 🅿️ -- 🧍 ``` Give directions from where you are (🧍) to the house (🏠).

Solution: "Walk forward to the parking (🅿️). Then, turn left and walk to the house (🏠)." Question 4: Using positional language, describe the location of each object (tree, house and parking space) in relation to your starting position (🧍).

Solution: The parking space (🅿️) is next to you, in front of you. The house (🏠) is to the left of the parking space. The tree (🌳) is in front of you. Independent Practice (Questions Only) Draw a picture with a dog, a cat, and a ball. Describe the position of each object using positional words. The post office is behind the supermarket. The bank is next to the supermarket. Draw a simple diagram showing the locations of the post office, supermarket, and bank. You are facing the school gate. Give one-step and two-step directions to reach the principal's office, assuming it is a bit further forward and to the left. Draw a simple map of your bedroom. Include your bed, wardrobe, and desk. Create a key to show what each symbol represents.