Lesson 13

The purpose of this lesson is for students to use positional words to describe the location of pattern blocks in a larger shape.

While some students may already be familiar with the positional words, students are formally introduced to the words above, below, next to, and beside. Students hear and use these words to describe the location of objects in the classroom. Students describe shapes made out of pattern blocks and use positional words to help their partner create the same shape. Listen to how students create an argument and use or revise their language to make their argument clear to others (MP3, MP6).

• Gather materials from:
  • Match Mine, Stage 1
  • Geoblocks, Stages 1 and 2
  • Build Shapes, Stages 1 and 2
  • Pattern Blocks, Stages 1-5
  • Less, Same, More, Stages 1-4

The standards ask students to describe the relative positions of objects using terms such as above, below, next to, and beside. When can you ask students questions involving positional worlds? How can you incorporate it into literacy time or transitions?