Year 2 Mathematics · AC9M2M05

Quarter, half, three-quarter and full turns

Describe rotation by how much an object turns and which direction it turns

Ready to project and teach

Learning goalsSay it simply

A turn changes the direction an object faces. The amount of turn and the direction of turn are both important.

Learning sequence: Start direction → choose clockwise/anticlockwise → make the turn → name the amount → check final direction.

  • Quarter turn: 1 of 4 equal parts of a full turn.
  • Half turn: 2 quarter turns; faces the opposite direction.
  • Three-quarter turn: 3 quarter turns.
  • Full turn: 4 quarter turns; faces the starting direction again.
Key conceptTeach from the board

1. Quarter turn

Start facing north (↑). Make a quarter turn clockwise. You face east (→).

2. Half turn

Start facing east (→). A half turn ends facing west (←), regardless of whether the half turn is clockwise or anticlockwise.

3. Three-quarter turn

Start facing north (↑). Three quarter-turns clockwise lead to west (←).

4. Full turn

Start facing south (↓). After a full turn you face south again. You rotated; you did not move to a new position.

5. Robot instruction

A robot faces east. “Quarter turn anticlockwise” makes it face north. The instruction needs both the amount and the direction.

Clean visual examplesOne-page board

Clean one-page examples

AC9M2M05 - Quarter, half, three-quarter and full turns
Example 1

Body-turn check: stand facing one wall and demonstrate quarter, half, three-quarter and full turns.

Example 2

Clock connection: trace the minute hand from 12 to 3, 6, 9 and back to 12 and name each amount of turn.

Example 3

Arrow cards: draw a start arrow and predict the final direction before physically turning the card.

Example 4

Robot route: give a partner a short sequence of forward moves and turns and check the final facing direction.

Curriculum examplesCurriculum examples

AC9M2M05: identify, describe and demonstrate quarter, half, three-quarter and full measures of turn in everyday situations.

  • E1: identify turning objects and represent amount/direction of turn
  • E2: give and follow movement instructions using turns
  • E3: connect clock-hand movement with quarter, half and full turns and clockwise/anticlockwise language
  • E4: use turns in routes, grids and robot programming
Questions and answersWith answers
  • ¼ turn = one quarter-turn.
  • ½ turn = two quarter-turns.
  • ¾ turn = three quarter-turns.
  • Full turn = four quarter-turns.
  • Clockwise follows clock hands; anticlockwise is opposite.
  • Always identify the starting direction before deciding the final direction.

Quick check

  1. Facing north, where do you face after a quarter turn clockwise?
  2. What turn makes you face the opposite direction?
  3. Why does a full turn end facing the starting direction?
  4. Facing east, where do you face after a quarter turn anticlockwise?
Curriculum alignmentStart here

A turn changes the direction an object faces. The amount of turn and the direction of turn are both important.

Learning sequence: Start direction → choose clockwise/anticlockwise → make the turn → name the amount → check final direction.

  • Quarter turn: 1 of 4 equal parts of a full turn.
  • Half turn: 2 quarter turns; faces the opposite direction.
  • Three-quarter turn: 3 quarter turns.
  • Full turn: 4 quarter turns; faces the starting direction again.
Related resourcesKeep teaching
Teach & ExplainTeaching slides and samples

Teach this topic step by step

Explore optional teaching slide packs for classroom lessons and explanations at home.

Browse Teach & Explain · Browse Print & Go

Teachers: follow SkillrHub on TPT, then email us to request a free sample before buying. Include the year, subject and topic or curriculum code.

Request a free sample

After trying the sample, honest feedback is welcome. A TPT review is optional, where available, and does not need to be positive.