Exploring with Direction

Overview

Duration: 45 minutes
Class Size: 13 pupils
Key Stage: Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Curriculum Area: Mathematics – Shape, Space and Measures
Focus: Understanding and using positional and directional language
Development Matters Statement: "Children use everyday language to talk about position, direction and movement."
Age Appropriateness: Reception (ages 4–5)

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils will:

• Use everyday directional language such as forwards, backwards, left, right, and turn.
• Follow and give simple instructions involving direction.
• Develop spatial awareness through interactive movement and play.

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Resources Needed

• Large floor grid mat (5x5 squares) or masking tape to outline a grid on classroom floor
• Directional arrow cards (laminated if possible)
• Animal or character figurines (bee, dinosaur, teddy, etc.)
• Interactive whiteboard or flip chart
• Mini whiteboards and pens for each child
• Printed "maze maps" on A4
• Cone markers or classroom objects to act as obstacles
• Music playlist for part of the physical movement game
• Stickers or themed tokens for rewards
• Sit mats or carpet area for group discussion

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Key Vocabulary

• Left
• Right
• Forwards
• Backwards
• Turn
• Around
• Up / Down
• Over / Under
• Between / Beside

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Lesson Breakdown

⏱️ 0–5 minutes: Welcome and Warm-Up

Activity: Mirror Me!
Pupils stand in a circle. The adult performs simple movements involving direction (e.g., step forwards, turn right). Children mirror the actions. Encourage pupils to say the direction as they move.

Teacher Prompt: “Now, we’re all going to take one step forwards! Ready? Say it with me: forwards!”

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⏱️ 5–10 minutes: Introducing Directional Language

Input Time
Use the interactive whiteboard or flashcards to introduce the directional words. Use arrows and visuals for each.

• Large visuals with the words LEFT, RIGHT, FORWARDS, BACKWARDS
• Use classroom landmarks to illustrate (e.g., “The door is to your left”).

Engagement Tip: Use a puppet who “always gets lost” - ask pupils to help guide it by giving directional instructions.

Teacher Roleplay: “Oh dear, Mr Snail is facing the wrong way! Can someone tell him how to turn and get back to his garden?”

Write key words as they’re introduced; point and repeat together.

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⏱️ 10–25 minutes: Main Activity – Floor Grid Adventure

Set-Up:
Lay out the large 5x5 grid on the floor. Place "Treasure Tokens" or figurines in various squares. Add a few obstacle objects (cones/blocks). Children will guide a character across the grid using directional instructions.

Split into two groups of around 6 and 7 pupils:

• One group sits and helps direct using whiteboards or cards
• One group takes turns physically moving a character across the board

Each child takes a turn either:

• Giving an instruction (e.g., “Go forward 2 spaces, then turn right”)
• Acting out the direction by moving the toy or walking the path

Pupils rotate roles after 7–8 minutes.

Differentiation Tip: For those needing more support, use 1-step instructions. For confident pupils, encourage 2- or 3-step sequencing.

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⏱️ 25–35 minutes: Independent Paired Activity – Maze Me!

Activity: Maze Mapping
Pupils pair up and use printed maze sheets. They guide a partner’s finger or character through the maze using directional language.

Challenge: Avoid obstacles and reach the prize!

Encourage the use of full sentences:

“First go forwards, then turn left, now go backwards one step…”

Teacher/TA to circulate and prompt vocabulary.

Stretch Challenge: Ask confident pairs to design their own map puzzles using cubes or objects, and swap with another pair.

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⏱️ 35–42 minutes: Active Movement Game – Direction Dance

Use music and play "Direction Dance":

• Music plays, children dance
• When music stops, teacher calls out a direction: e.g., "Step right!" or "Turn around!"
• Everyone freezes and performs movement

Add challenge: “Step backwards and then hop forwards!”

This embeds vocabulary while enhancing coordination and listening skills.

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⏱️ 42–45 minutes: Cool Down and Reflection

Gather on the carpet. Use a puppet or character to ask reflective questions:

• “How did you help your friends find the right direction?”
• “Which direction was the trickiest to remember?”

Invite a few pupils to demonstrate a direction or give a 2-step instruction.

Hand out a sticker/token to each child for great listening and using maths words.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observation of vocabulary use during group and partner work
• Listening to the accuracy of instructions given
• Pupil ability to follow 1- and 2-step directional commands
• Engagement during Direction Dance and Maze activity

Record anecdotal notes on individual participation against EYFS early learning goals, focusing on:

“Children use everyday language to talk about position, direction and movement.”

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Cross-Curricular Enhancement Ideas

• Literacy: Read a direction-themed book (e.g. Rosie’s Walk) in the following session
• Outdoor Learning: Create a treasure hunt in the playground using chalk arrows and signs
• ICT: Use a Bee-Bot programmable robot to reinforce directions in later sessions

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Wow Factor

✨ This lesson combines storytelling, movement, games, and roleplay to make directional maths tangible, active and fun.
Using a floor grid, obstacle course and “live mazes” transforms classroom space into a tactile learning adventure.

Children won’t realise how much mathematical language they’re learning—they’ll be too busy rescuing teddies, dodging cones, and dancing their way through direction!

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Follow-Up Suggestions

• Embed directional language daily during transitions (e.g., “Line up facing forwards!”)
• Create a class direction wall with pupil-drawn arrows and labels
• Make it part of the classroom job chart: e.g., the “Navigator” of the day helps give directions around the class

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Created for Reception Maths Excellence!
In line with the Statutory Framework for the EYFS (Mathematics strand)

Let your pupils lead the way—one direction at a time!