Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 3

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Describe the position of objects using words like 'above', 'below', 'left', and 'right'.
• Follow simple directions like 'forward', 'backward', and 'quarter turn'.
• Create a simple map of a familiar place, like your classroom.
• Read a simple map to find things and follow a route.

Lesson summary

This week, we're going on an adventure in our minds! We're going to explore position, direction, and mapping. These skills are super important in our everyday lives. Think about giving directions to a friend to come over to your house, or understanding where your favourite shop is located in your neighbourhood. Even knowing which way to turn when you're playing a game relies on understanding position and direction. Maps help us find our way around, plan journeys, and even understand our world better. In South Africa, these skills are essential for navigating our diverse landscapes, understanding urban layouts, and even for future careers in fields like town planning and tourism.

Lesson notes

2.1 Position: Position tells us where something is. We often describe it in relation to something else. Think of it like giving clues to find a hidden treasure.

We use words like: Above: Higher than something else.

Example: The clock is above the chalkboard.* Below: Lower than something else.

Example: The shoes are below the chair.* Next to: Beside something else.

Example: My pencil is next to my ruler.* In front of: In the forward direction from something else.

Example: The desk is in front of me.* Behind: In the backward direction from something else.

Example: My friend is behind me in the queue.* Left: To the left side of something (when facing the same direction).

Example: The door is on the left side of the classroom.* Right: To the right side of something (when facing the same direction).

Example: The window is on the right side of the classroom.* Between: In the space separating two things.

Example: My house is between the shop and the school.* Inside: Contained within something.

Example: The bread is inside the loaf of bread.* Outside: Not contained within something.

Example: The children are outside the house.* Example 1: Imagine a classroom. The teacher's desk is in front of the learners' desks. A poster is above the chalkboard. A rubbish bin is next to the door.

Example 2: Consider a plate of food. The spoon is to the right of the fork. The napkin is below the plate. 2.2 Direction: Direction tells us which way to go.

We use words like: Forward: Moving straight ahead.

Example: Walk forward to the gate.* Backward: Moving straight back.

Example: Step backward to avoid the puddle.* Left: Turning to your left side.

Example: Turn left at the corner.* Right: Turning to your right side.

Example: Turn right after the shop.* Quarter Turn: A small turn, like a quarter of a circle. We can turn clockwise (the way the hands of a clock move) or anticlockwise (the opposite direction).

Example: Face the front of the class, then make a quarter turn clockwise. Now you are facing the right side of the class.* Example 1: If you are facing North, and you turn a quarter turn clockwise, you will be facing East. If you then turn another quarter turn clockwise, you will be facing South.

Example 2: In a game of "Simon Says", the instruction "Take one step forward, then turn right" uses direction. 2.3 Mapping: A map is a simplified drawing of a place. It helps us find our way around. Maps use symbols to represent real things. A key explains what each symbol means.

Symbols: Small pictures or shapes that stand for something on the map.

Example: A little tree symbol might stand for a real tree.* Key: Explains what each symbol on the map means.

Example: The key might say "Tree = 🌳".* Creating a simple map: Choose a place: Your bedroom, the classroom, or the playground.

Think about important objects: Desk, bed, door, swing, tree. Draw a simple shape for each object (a symbol). For example, a rectangle for a desk, a circle for a tree. Place the symbols on your map in the correct positions relative to each other.

Create a key: Explain what each symbol means.

Example: Map of a Bedroom Imagine your bedroom. There's a bed on the left, a desk on the right, a wardrobe at the back, and a door in front.

Map: ``` |------------| | Wardrobe | |------------| ^ | +-------+ | Door | +-------+ +-------+ +-------+ ``` Key: Wardrobe: |------------| | Wardrobe | |------------| Door: +-------+ | Door | +-------+ Desk: +-------+ | Desk | +-------+ Bed: +-------+ | Bed | +-------+ Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: Imagine a classroom. The teacher's desk is in the front. A window is on the right. A bookshelf is at the back. Where is the door most likely located?

Solution: The door is most likely on the left. Since the teacher's desk is in the front, the bookshelf is at the back, and the window is on the right, the remaining side is the left, which is where the door would be. This uses our understanding of positional words: front, back, right, left.

Question 2: You are facing North. Make a quarter turn clockwise. Then take two steps forward. What direction are you now facing, and what did you do?

Solution: You are now facing East. A quarter turn clockwise from North is East. The two steps forward don't change the direction you are facing. This uses understanding of direction (clockwise) and quarter turns.

Question 3: Draw a simple map of your desk at school. Include a pencil, a ruler, and your maths book. Create a key for your map.

Solution: (This will vary depending on the student's desk setup.

An example solution is provided)

Map: ``` +-------+ |Book | +-------+ ^ | +------+------+ |Pencil|Ruler | +------+------+ ``` Key: Book: +-------+ |Book | +-------+ Pencil: +------+ |Pencil| +------+ Ruler: +------+ |Ruler | +------+ This exercise involves creating a simple map with symbols and a key, fulfilling LO3.