Where is it? Learning About Relative Position!

Math Grades 1st Grade 1:05 Video
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Lesson Description

This lesson helps first graders understand and use positional words like beside, behind, and below to describe where objects are located in relation to each other.

Video Resource

Relative position

Khan Academy

Duration: 1:05
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Relative Position
  • Beside
  • Behind
  • Below

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify objects that are beside, behind, or below other objects.
  • Students will be able to use positional words (beside, behind, below) to describe the location of objects.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students if they know what the words 'beside,' 'behind,' and 'below' mean. Have them give examples of things that are beside, behind, or below them in the classroom. For example, 'My desk is beside my friend's desk' or 'My shoes are below my feet.'
  • Video Viewing (3 mins)
    Show the Khan Academy video 'Relative Position.' Explain that the video will show examples of things that are beside, behind, and below other things. Ask students to pay close attention to the words used to describe where things are.
  • Guided Practice (7 mins)
    After the video, ask students questions about the examples shown. For instance, 'In the video, where was the cow?' (Beside the chicken). 'Where was the elephant?' (Behind the bricks). 'Where was the red triangle?' (Below the green rectangle). Then, use classroom objects. Place a book beside a pencil and ask, 'Where is the book?' (Beside the pencil). Repeat with 'behind' and 'below.'
  • Independent Practice (10 mins)
    Give each student a worksheet with pictures of objects. In each picture, have them circle the object that is beside, behind, or below another object, as directed. Provide sentences for them to write describing the position using the vocabulary.

Interactive Exercises

  • Simon Says - Position Edition
    Play 'Simon Says' using positional words. For example, 'Simon says put your hands beside your head,' 'Simon says put your feet behind your chair,' 'Simon says put your pencil below your notebook.'

Discussion Questions

  • Can you think of something in the classroom that is beside something else?
  • What is something that is behind you right now?
  • What is something that is below your desk?

Skills Developed

  • Vocabulary development
  • Spatial reasoning
  • Following directions

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

The cat is _________ the box.

Correct Answer: Beside

Question 2:

The ball is _________ the table.

Correct Answer: Below

Question 3:

The tree is _________ the house.

Correct Answer: Behind

Question 4:

Where is the apple?

Correct Answer: Beside the table

Question 5:

The dog is _________ the couch.

Correct Answer: Behind

Question 6:

The bird is _________ the house.

Correct Answer: Above

Question 7:

If the pencil is _________ the book, where is it?

Correct Answer: Next to

Question 8:

What word tells where something is?

Correct Answer: Position

Question 9:

The stairs are _________ me.

Correct Answer: Beside

Question 10:

The picture is _________ my bed.

Correct Answer: Above

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The ball is __________ the chair.

Correct Answer: beside

Question 2:

The toy is __________ the table.

Correct Answer: below

Question 3:

The flag is __________ the school.

Correct Answer: behind

Question 4:

The rabbit is __________ the log.

Correct Answer: beside

Question 5:

The worm is __________ the ground.

Correct Answer: below

Question 6:

The car is __________ the building.

Correct Answer: behind

Question 7:

The ruler is __________ the book.

Correct Answer: beside

Question 8:

The fish are __________ the water.

Correct Answer: below

Question 9:

The horse is __________ the barn.

Correct Answer: behind

Question 10:

The paper is __________ the pencil.

Correct Answer: beside

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.G.A.1:Distinguish between defining attributes (e.g., triangles are closed and three-sided) versus non-defining attributes (e.g., color, orientation, overall size); build and draw shapes to possess defining attributes.

Teaching Materials

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Student Worksheet Classroom Slides Assessment Quiz Export to Google Docs
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