What students learn in AC9MFSP02
This unit helps students build a clear, usable understanding of The position and location of themselves and objects in relation.... The goal is not to memorise one answer pattern. Students should be able to explain the idea, recognise it in a new example and apply it in a short practice or worksheet task.
- Start with the main idea: describe the position and location of themselves and objects in relation to other people and objects within a familiar space.
- Use concrete examples, pictures, oral explanation and short written responses before moving to independent practice.
- 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” 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”
- Finish with mixed questions so students must choose the correct strategy rather than copy the last example.
Curriculum coverage and elaborations
The content description and elaborations below show the curriculum ideas taught in this unit. Items marked as teaching context support lesson planning but may not appear in the initial eight-question activity.
- Content description: describe the position and location of themselves and objects in relation to other people and objects within a familiar space
- 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”
- 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”
- 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
- 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 context)
How to use this unit
Read the topic guide, use the teacher slide for instruction, then complete the Worksheet, Practice and Test. These three activities use the same eight-question unit bank.
Teacher resource
AC9MFSP02 teacher slide
Use this one-page PDF to introduce the key idea, vocabulary and teaching sequence before students begin the activities.
Open teacher slide (PDF)Common mistakes to watch for
- Rushing to a rule before checking the concrete model, drawing or number sentence.
- Using the correct answer once but not being able to explain why it works.
- Mixing up similar vocabulary such as more/less, before/after, longer/shorter or equal groups/sharing.
International curriculum mapping
This table gives closest-topic mapping for search and planning. The Australian Curriculum code is exact; overseas entries are broad equivalents because each jurisdiction structures outcomes differently.
| Region | Curriculum | Closest mapping |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Australian Curriculum v9.0 | AC9MFSP02 — describe the position and location of themselves and objects in relation to other people and objects within a familiar space |
| Victoria | Victorian Curriculum F-10 | Foundation Maths: closest match in Space. Use this page as a VIC-aligned practice and worksheet reference. |
| NSW | NSW Curriculum | Early Stage 1 Maths: closest content focus for The position and location of themselves and objects in relation... and related outcomes. |
| United States | Common Core / NGSS | Kindergarten Common Core Mathematics/ELA closest topic match for The position and location of themselves and objects in relation.... |
| England / UK | National Curriculum | Key Stage 1 / Year 1: closest programme-of-study match for The position and location of themselves and objects in relation.... |
| Canada | Provincial and territory curricula | Kindergarten closest topic match. Canada varies by province, so use this as a broad Ontario/BC-style learning outcome reference. |
| New Zealand | New Zealand Curriculum | Level 1 Maths: closest achievement-objective topic for The position and location of themselves and objects in relation.... |
| India | NCERT / CBSE | Kindergarten / Foundation closest NCERT/CBSE topic match for The position and location of themselves and objects in relation.... |