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Position Words

Kindergartners learn position and direction words — above and below, near and far, in front and behind — the words we use to describe where things are, an important first step in reading maps.

KindergartenLocation Words25 minutes1 class periodC3 InquiryExplicit teaching4 StandardsC3
Start the Lesson
Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Use above and below.
  • ✓Use near and far.
  • ✓Use in front and behind.
  • ✓Tell where things are.
Essential Question

Where is your book — on the table, under the chair, or beside your bag? Position words help us say exactly where things are! What are these helpful words?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Investigate · Interactive

Position Words Check

Project each item and have children answer about position words. The tool explains above, below, near, far, and behind.

📍 Where is it? Use position words!Try it
Answer each question about position words.
The Lesson · C3 Inquiry Arc (Question · Investigate · Evaluate Evidence · Communicate · Take Action)

25 minutes, five moves

Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.

1

Question — Where Is It?

4 min

Where is your book — on, under, or beside? How do we say exactly where?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Hold up an object.
  • Ask where it is.
  • Get ready.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Look at it.
  • Say where.
  • Get ready.
2

Investigate — Explore the Words

7 min

Children investigate.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send children to Position Words Check.
  • Note each word.
  • Practice with objects.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Answer them.
  • Note words.
  • Try them.
3

Evaluate Evidence — Above & Below

7 min

Children explain.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Explain above and below.
  • Explain near and far.
  • Explain in front and behind.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Explain them.
  • Explain them.
  • Explain them.
4

Communicate — Show Me

5 min

Children share.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Place an object above/below.
  • Say where it is.
  • Use the words.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Place it.
  • Say where.
  • Use words.
5

Take Action — Take Action

3 min

Children conclude.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Say where an object is.
  • Use a position word.
  • Play a position game.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Say it.
  • Use one.
  • Play it.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards (Kindergarten / Myself & My World).

C3
D2.Geo.1.K-2

Use words to describe the location of places and objects.

C3
D2.Geo.2.K-2

Describe how objects relate in space.

C3
D2.Geo.3.K-2

Use spatial words to answer questions.

C3
D4.6.K-2

Take informed action.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Position picture cards.
  • Sentence frame: “The ___ is ___ the ___.”
  • Act out positions.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with above vs. below.
  • Use real objects.
  • Act it out.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Play “Simon Says” with positions.
  • Describe a picture.
  • Use maps and directions.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Screen / board
  • 🧸Objects to place
  • 💻Position Words Check
  • 📦A box
  • 🖍️Crayons
  • 🎫Sticker charts
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

aboveon top of or higherbelowunder or lowernearclose byfara long way awayin front ofbefore somethingbehindat the back of somethingbesidenext topositionwhere something is
Evaluate

Exit Ticket

Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.

QUESTION 1
If a bird is on top of a tree, is it above or below the tree?
Above.
QUESTION 2
What is the opposite of near?
Far.
QUESTION 3
If you stand at the back of a line, are you in front of or behind the others?
Behind.

Growing at home? Position hunt.

Have children describe where their toys are using position words — like “my bear is ON the bed” or “my shoes are UNDER the chair.” A printable position-words sheet is in the Social Studies library.

Study · Flashcards

Study the key terms

Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.

🃏 Position WordsFlip
Card 1
Term
Tap to flip →
Meaning
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Nice work!

Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.

📝 Position WordsQuiz
Score: 0
1 / 6
Question 1
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Nice work!

Practice · Worksheet

Printable worksheet

A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.

🖨️ Position WordsPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: above, behind, below, beside, far, in front of, near, position
  1. under or lower
  2. before something
  3. at the back of something
  4. close by
  5. next to
  6. on top of or higher
  7. where something is
  8. a long way away

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. If a bird is on top of a tree, is it above or below the tree?
  2. What is the opposite of near?
  3. If you stand at the back of a line, are you in front of or behind the others?
Answer key — Part A: 1) below · 2) in front of · 3) behind · 4) near · 5) beside · 6) above · 7) position · 8) far
Part B: 1) Above. 2) Far. 3) Behind.