AC9MFSP02 • Foundation Maths

AC9MFSP02: Describe position and location in familiar spaces

describe the position and location of themselves and objects in relation to other people and objects within a familiar space

Topic GuideClassroom ViewWorksheetPracticeTest
🎯 Learn the key ideaStart here

Learning intention: Position words describe where something is in relation to another person, object or place.

Success looks like: Use position words; Name reference object; Follow instructions; Give movement instructions; Describe a precise location.

Learning routine: Choose reference → Say position → Move → Describe again → Follow route → Check

Explain, check and applyReason

Name the reference object

Say where an object is in relation to something else: inside the box, under the table or beside the chair. Point to both objects to check that the listener understands the relationship.

Use two location clues

There are two boxes: one beside the chair and one beside the door. The ball is inside the box beside the chair. Which clues identify its location?

Answer and teaching guidance

Inside tells where the ball is relative to its box; beside the chair identifies which box. Saying only “in the box” leaves two possible locations.

Describe the new position

A toy starts inside a basket. Move it out and place it next to the basket. What description must change?

Answer and teaching guidance

The toy is now beside or next to the basket, not inside it. Describe the current position after each move.

One object, two relationships

A toy is inside a box. The box and toy are under a table. Can the toy be both inside and under?

Answer and teaching guidance

Yes. It is inside the box and under the table. The two words describe its relationship to different reference objects.

Ready to move on

Place a toy under a chair, then beside the chair. Ask the child to describe each position and give you an instruction to put it back.

Answer and teaching guidance

Look for a correct position word and a named reference object. If the child says “there”, ask “Where in relation to the chair?” and model the full sentence.

👀 Model and worked examplesLearn

Always name the reference object

INSIDE
[ ● ]

The ball is inside the box.

UNDER
TABLE
─────
  ●

The ball is under the table.

BESIDE
CHAIR ●

The ball is beside the chair.

Think aloud: Build or point to the model first, explain what each part shows, then state the answer.

Use more than one clue

“The scissors are in the box, on the bottom shelf, at the back of the classroom.”

Specific relational words make a location easier to find.

📚 Key words4 words

position

where something is

location

the place where something can be found

reference object

the object used to explain where another object is

route

a path from one place to another

🧠 Try it in different waysApply

1. Use two location clues

There are two boxes: one beside the chair and one beside the door. The ball is inside the box beside the chair. Which clues identify its location?

2. Describe the new position

A toy starts inside a basket. Move it out and place it next to the basket. What description must change?

3. One object, two relationships

A toy is inside a box. The box and toy are under a table. Can the toy be both inside and under?

⚠️ Common mistakes and fixesFix errors
  • Says “over there”: Name a reference object: beside the chair, under the desk, inside the box.
  • Changes viewpoint silently: Keep the same reference point or explain the viewpoint change.
  • Follows only first step: Repeat a short route in order and check each move.
✅ Quick checkCheck
  • Where is a ball if it is inside a box?
  • Give one instruction that places a toy under a chair.
  • Which is more precise: “there” or “beside the desk”?
  • Describe a two-step route from a door to a table.

Ready for Practice when: Use position words; Name reference object; Follow instructions; Give movement instructions; Describe a precise location.

📝 Revision NotesRemember
  • Main idea: Position words describe where something is in relation to another person, object or place.
  • Useful routine: Choose reference → Say position → Move → Describe again → Follow route → Check
  • position: where something is
  • location: the place where something can be found
  • reference object: the object used to explain where another object is
  • route: a path from one place to another
  • Best self-check: explain one new example without copying the worked model.
🇦🇺 Australian Curriculum coverageE1–E4

Content description: describe the position and location of themselves and objects in relation to other people and objects within a familiar space

These are curriculum teaching examples used as a breadth check, not separate mandatory outcomes.

First Nations teaching guidance: Use a locally appropriate, community-approved source; name the relevant Peoples and Country/Place; respect cultural authority and permissions; and do not present one example as universal across First Nations Australians.

E1

describing the position of an item in relation to other items in the space using language like “inside”, “underneath” and “on top of”; for example, when asked “Where are the scissors kept?”, responding with “They are in a box, on the bottom shelf at the back of the classroom”

Teaching example: Hide an item in one of two boxes and give a complete clue, such as inside the box beside the door. Ask which part of the clue identifies the correct box.

E2

describing where they have moved themselves and items in relation to other items within a space, using familiar terms; for example, playing a hiding game and when asked “Where did you hide the ball?”, responding, “I hid it behind the garbage bin over there near the bench”

Teaching example: Move a ball from under a bench to beside it. Describe its position before and after the move using the bench as the reference.

E3

describing the position of a robotic toy in relation to other objects as it moves around a familiar space; for example, describing the position of a robotic car as being under the desk or next to the chair

Teaching example: Move a toy car beside a chair and then under a desk. Pause after each move to describe where it is relative to the furniture.

E4

exploring First Nations Australians’ instructive games; for example, Thapumpan from the Wik-Mungkan Peoples of Cape Bedford in north Queensland, describing position and movement of self in relation to other participants, objects or locations

Teaching example: Use an authorised, locally appropriate account of Thapumpan. Follow the named source and permissions when describing participant positions; do not invent cultural rules or actions.

Teacher resource

AC9MFSP02 fixed teacher slides

The authored presentation uses the same models, vocabulary and checks as this lesson.

Open Classroom View
🎥 Optional Video Lesson

The SkillrHub lesson remains the primary learning resource. This optional video reinforces the explanation; you can complete the lesson and practice without watching.

Back to the lesson

Before you watch:

  • Pause after each worked example.
  • Try the examples yourself.
  • Return to the SkillrHub lesson before continuing.
Recommended: Location & Directions

Scratch Garden — Using position words to describe where something is and how it moves.

As you watch: Which word tells you where the object is?

Load video player Loads YouTube in this lesson. See the video notice below.

Try it: Put a toy under, beside and behind a box. Give a partner one instruction using a position word.

Video unavailable, inaccurate or unsuitable for this year? Report a video problem to SkillrHub by email. You can continue with the written lesson and practice resources.

About these videos

Videos are curated from trusted independent educational creators and played through YouTube. Rights remain with their respective owners. Inclusion does not imply that a creator or YouTube endorses SkillrHub.

YouTube’s terms and privacy policy apply to its player. Advertising, recommendations and external links may appear, and videos may change or become unavailable. SkillrHub’s written lessons and practice resources remain available separately.

To report a content, suitability or rights concern, email skillrhublearning@gmail.com with the lesson code and video link. Please do not include personal student information.

Curriculum equivalents: Victoria, NSW and international

Curriculum equivalents for The position and location of themselves and objects in relation...

Mapped skill: describe the position and location of themselves and objects in relation to other people and objects within a familiar space

These references identify matching or closely related learning. Curriculum sequence, terminology and depth vary, so teachers should use the mapped skill and lesson difficulty to confirm suitability.

RegionCurriculum frameworkClosest level or code
AustraliaAustralian Curriculum v9.0AC9MFSP02 · Foundation
VictoriaVictorian Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0 — MathematicsVC2MFSP02 · Foundation
New South WalesNSW Mathematics K–10 Syllabus (2022)MAE-GM-01 · Early Stage 1
United States (USA)Common Core State Standards for MathematicsKindergarten
Canada (Ontario)Ontario Curriculum — MathematicsKindergarten
United Kingdom (England)National Curriculum in England — MathematicsYear 1, Key Stage 1
IndiaNCERT / CBSE — MathematicsFoundational Stage / Balvatika 3

Australian Curriculum v9.0 is the canonical source for this SkillrHub lesson. Victoria and NSW entries name the closest published state codes or outcomes; international entries are planning references rather than claims of identical curricula.

Help improve SkillrHub

Questions or feedback?

Ask about this lesson, suggest an improvement or report an error. Facebook opens only when you choose an option below.

Topic reference: AC9MFSP02 — AC9MFSP02: Describe position and location in familiar spaces

💬 Ask a question 💡 Suggest an improvement ⚠️ Report an error

Privacy: Please don’t share personal student or school information. Younger students should ask a parent, guardian or teacher to post on their behalf.

Feedback: skillrhublearning@gmail.com.