Minds On
Let’s get started!
Examine the following image.
- How would you describe the position of the person?
- How would you describe the position of the campfire?
- How would you describe the position of the tent?
- What other words might someone use to describe the position of an object?
Record your ideas digitally, orally, or on paper.
A campsite featuring a person sitting beside a campfire. Next to the campfire is a small grill. There is a tent directly behind the person. To the left of the tent, there is a hammock between two trees.
The following phrases are some words we can use to describe the position of an object:
- in front
- behind
- above
- below
- over
- under
Use as many of the words to describe the position of each object again.
Did your descriptions change or stay the same?
Action
Describing the position of an object
A person thinking about a campfire scene. There are three logs cut into seats placed around the fire. A person is standing behind a log cut as a seat, and another person in kneeling behind a sideways log on the other side of the fire.
When someone asks, ‘Where are you?’, we can use position words to describe where we are in space.
The position of an object is the location of an object.
Let’s return to the image in the Minds On.
A campsite featuring a person sitting beside a campfire. Next to the campfire is a small grill. There is a tent directly behind the person. To the left of the tent, there is a hammock between two trees.
For example, the person is beside the campfire.
The tent is behind the campfire.
Someone might also say the person and the campfire are in front of the tent.
There are different words we can use to describe the position of an object. Explore the following flashcards to check out some position words!
Pause and Reflect
Pause and reflect
How might we use these positions words in everyday life?
Changing position
Objects can also be put into motion and change position.
When something (or someone) moves from one place to another, we can use directions to describe how to change position or move from one place to another.
Press the following tabs to access some ways of motion.
You can move from side to side like this:
You can move forward and backwards like this:
You can move diagonally, like this:
You can move up and down like this:
Position words can help people understand where something is located.
They can also help people give and follow directions.
Check your knowledge!
Examine the following sets of images. For each set, determine what:
- object moved position
- describe how they moved
- what their new position is.
Set #1
A hill with some trees beside a house. A person is standing in front of the house. There is a black dotted line from one side of the hill to the other to indicate that the person has gone up the hill and then down again.
Press ‘Answer’ to access what moved, how it moved, and the new position.
The person moved. They moved up the hill and then down the hill. They are now in the front of the house.
Set #2
A hockey rink. On the right side of the hockey rink is a net. Behind the rink is a person wearing skates. There is a black dotted line to indicate that the person skated from one end of the rink to the other end of the rink in a diagonal line.
Press ‘Answer’ to access what moved, how it moved, and the new position.
The skater moved. They moved diagonally across the ice. They are now behind the net.
Set #3
A side view of a crosswalk. A person has crossed the street and is now standing next to a dog on the sidewalk. A black dotted line is on the road to indicate that the person crossed the street.
Press ‘Answer’ to access what moved, how it moved, and the new position.
The person moved. They moved forward as they crossed the crosswalk. They are now beside the dog.
Innovation in Canada
This learning activity features emerging technologies, STEM contributions, and Canadian innovations that are making a difference.
It’s important to know where we are in space and in relation to other people, places, and things.
It’s knowing that if you toss a beanbag to your left, someone will catch it, or if you follow a set of directions, you will reach your destination.
Today, there are different applications (apps) that can help people figure out their position and how to explore and get to different places.
Before apps and GPS, Indigenous peoples used the sky as maps, calendars, and clocks for as long as can be remembered.
Different stars helped with position and directions and signaled the change of seasons. Maps were also drawn on different skins and barks and showed navigational routes that were used for trade, hunting, and warfare.
Today technology helps many people find where they are going and explore new areas. For example, Parks Canada and students at the University of Toronto Scarborough’s innovation hub have created an app for Rouge National Urban Park in Ontario, Canada.
The Rouge app has many different features. Visitors can use the app to keep track of their location, discover and move along the trails, and learn about the park’s history.
Think about it!
Why do you think it is important to stay on the trail?
Press ‘Possible Answer’ to access why it’s important to stay on the trail.
Staying on the trail can help keep people safe from possible hazards such as plants, insects, wildlife, and weather.
Staying on the trail also keep people from disturbing plants and animals which helps to protect them.
Did You Know?
Did you know?
Many different Indigenous traditional territories are located within Rouge National Urban Park including the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and the Huron-Wendat. Today, there are 10 First Nations communities that have partnered with the park on the Rouge National Urban Park First Nations Advisory Circle to represent their historic and present-day connections to this area.
Consolidation
Let’s give directions!
Explore the following image. Plan a trail to get a person from the start position to the X on the map. X marks the spot for treasure! Make sure your trail has the “person” experiencing different positions and types of movement. Use the word bank if needed.
Press ‘Word Bank’ to access the position and movement words.
- forwards
- backwards
- side to side
- diagonally
- up
- down
- above
- below
- inside
- outside
- in front of
- behind
- over
- under
A map with the word Start at the bottom left. In front of that are three green hills. Beside the hills is a river with a bridge over it. In front of the river is a pathway with bricks that are side by side. Next to the pathway is a cave that has an entrance and an exit. Beside the cave is a lake that has a pirate ship in it. Beyond the pathway and the cave are two trees that are connected with a zipline. There is a wooden platform on each of the trees and steps to get up the tree. Beside the trees is a treasure box. Next to the treasure box is a big red x and beside that is a shovel and some dirt.
To create your trail, complete the Treasure Map in your notebook or use the following printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
| |
Word bank forwards backwards side to side diagonally up and down above below inside outside in front of behind over under |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Treasure Map.
Once you have created your trail, use as many position and movement words as you can to describe to someone how they might get from the start position to the X.
Think about it!
What are some of the words you used to describe how to get to the X on the treasure map?
Why is it important to know how to describe the location of an object?
Why is important to describe how the position of an object changes?
Record your ideas digitally, orally, or on paper.
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel…
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.