L2 Position, Direction & Movement

This Working Without Worksheets Year 2 Position and Direction lesson builds on the movement and direction skills introduced in Year 1, helping pupils deepen their understanding of how to describe, follow, and record directions — including the concept of perspective. Through interactive games, physical movement, and problem-solving activities, children learn how to use precise mathematical vocabulary such as forwards, backwards, left, right, and turns, while thinking about direction from another person’s or object’s point of view. The starter begins with an animated game of Simon Says, revisiting key movement vocabulary from Year 1. Children follow verbal commands such as “turn left,” “step backwards,” and “move forwards,” reinforcing understanding of left and right through fun, active learning. During the introduction, the teacher explains that this lesson takes direction work further by introducing perspective — recognising that directions look different depending on which way you are facing. Using animated slides, the class observes a robot moving on screen. The teacher models how the robot’s forward movement appears different from our viewpoint, building awareness of orientation and direction in space. Children then practise this concept by physically moving themselves or programming a toy robot or car to follow two-step instructions, linking directional vocabulary to real movement. In the main activity, pupils are challenged with a practical and engaging task: help Rosie get to school while avoiding stop signs. Children must plan the shortest and most efficient route, giving step-by-step directions using correct vocabulary. They then record their route in their maths books, either by sticking in a printed version of the grid or referencing it on the board. This task encourages reasoning, spatial awareness, and the application of mathematical language in context. This Working Without Worksheets lesson combines movement, logic, and collaboration — devel