The note
How schools teach it now
Turns are described as quarter, half and three-quarter turns, clockwise or anticlockwise, and with the eight compass points (N, NE, E, SE…). Coordinates are written (x, y), across then up, and Year 6 uses all four quadrants.
5-minute kitchen-table activity
Hide a treat and give directions: 'Face north, walk 5 steps, make a quarter turn clockwise, walk 3 steps.' Then swap roles. Put a compass app on to check which way is north.
Worked example
You face north and make a three-quarter turn clockwise. Which way do you face now?
- A quarter turn clockwise from north is east.
- A half turn is south.
- Three quarters is west.
Answer: West
Common mistakes to watch for
- Mixing up clockwise and anticlockwise.
- Mixing up north-east and north-west.
- Reading coordinates up first, then across.
Encouragement
- Try saying
- “Let's stand up and turn it out together.”
- Rather than
- “No, your other left!”