The idea, step by step
Left and right
For these pictures, use your left and right as you look at the page. Point to the left edge and then the right edge.
In the park picture the bench is on the left of the tree and the pond is on the right.
Know which way it faces
Forward means the way a person or robot is facing. Back means the opposite way.
Our robot faces the top of the page. Without turning, one step forward goes up one square and one step back goes down one square.
A common trap
Forward always means up the page for every robot.
Instead: Forward depends on the way the robot faces. Our pictured robot faces up; a differently facing robot would have a different forward direction.
See the thinking
Right of the tree
Which place is right of the tree in the park picture?
- Use your right as you look at the picture.
- The pond is beside the tree on that side.
A step back
The robot faces the top of the page. It takes one step back without turning. Which way does it move on the page?
- Forward would be up.
- Back is the opposite direction.
Check your understanding
A robot faces right on the page. Which way is one step forward?
Show answer
Right.
Forward is the direction it faces.
Your turn
6 questions · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- In the park picture, which object is left of the tree?
- The pictured robot faces up. Which way does it move one step forward?
- The pictured robot faces up. Which way does it move one step back without turning?
- A robot faces left on the page. Which way is forward?
- A robot faces the bottom of the page. Which way is back without turning?
- Draw an arrow pointing right. Draw a dot one step to its left, using the page as the viewpoint.
Read the worked solutions
- In the park picture, which object is left of the tree?
Use your left while looking at the page.
The bench. - The pictured robot faces up. Which way does it move one step forward?
Forward follows its facing direction.
Up one square. - The pictured robot faces up. Which way does it move one step back without turning?
Back is opposite to forward.
Down one square. - A robot faces left on the page. Which way is forward?
It moves in the way it faces.
Left. - A robot faces the bottom of the page. Which way is back without turning?
Back is opposite to the way it faces.
Up the page. - Draw an arrow pointing right. Draw a dot one step to its left, using the page as the viewpoint.
Keep the page viewpoint clear; do not confuse the arrow's direction with page left.
Answers vary: the dot is left of the arrow.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 / SA Curriculum 2026
Year 1 relative position and clear instructions for moving people and objects in familiar spaces.
Official curriculum source ↗