This prepositions positions worksheet asks 1st Grade students to look at five pictures and write on, in, under, beside, or between on the line. An answer key is included, so position words click fast.
This What's the Location Worksheet has 1st Grade students write the position word that tells where the ball is, then draw a ball above and below an object. Answer key included for quick, no-prep practice.
This Identifying Location Worksheet asks Kindergarten students to study four pictures and write the position word - above, below, behind or next to - that tells where the ball sits. Answer key included for fast, no-prep practice.
A picture-based prepositions in sentences worksheet that helps 1st graders choose and write position words like under, between, and above. Answer key included for fast, no-prep grammar practice.
This position words butterfly activity has 1st to 2nd Grade students study 10 picture cards and write where the butterfly is in each sentence. Answer key included.
This take your positions worksheet helps kindergarten students practice left and right by circling where each picture sits in its box. An answer key is included for fast, easy checking.
This Draw the Positions Worksheet asks 1st Grade students to read four sentences and draw a shape above, under, next to and between the objects shown. An answer key is included.
Above, below, and right beside you
Position words tell us where something is: above, below, beside, between, in front of, behind, inside, outside, left and right. In preschool and kindergarten, kids learn to describe where objects are and follow directions like "Put the ball under the table." This is the very first step of geometry, because it builds the spatial thinking kids later use for shapes, maps and graphs. The fun click comes when a child can say exactly where something is without pointing: "The cat is between the box and the chair!"
Position words are best learned with real objects and real bodies before paper. These moves start there.
Give each child a small toy and a cup. Call out "Put the bear in the cup," then "beside the cup," then "under the cup." After a few rounds, kids draw the bear in the same spots on paper. Doing it first makes the drawing easy.
Why it works: kids understand an idea best when they touch it, then draw it, then write it, the order the U.S. Department of Education recommends for elementary math.
Try it withDraw the Positions WorksheetWorksheetsOpen it →Hold up a picture and ask, "Where is the bird?" Kids must answer in a full sentence with a position word: "The bird is on top of the house." Accepting only pointing lets kids skip the vocabulary, so ask for the words every time.
Why it works: when kids say the precise math words, their understanding gets sharper, a recommendation of the U.S. Department of Education's elementary math guide.
Try it withWhat's the Location WorksheetWorksheetsOpen it →Show a busy scene and ask three fast questions: what is above the tree, what is behind the dog, what is next to the swing. Kids circle the answers. It takes two minutes and shows you exactly which words are still fuzzy.
Why it works: researchers who compared ten study methods found practice testing is one of the two that work best (Dunlosky and colleagues, 2013).
Try it withIdentifying Location WorksheetWorksheetsOpen it →Position words were made for silly, wiggly games.
Worksheets"Simon says put your hands above your head! Simon says stand behind your chair!" Kids love catching each other.
Open Take Your Positions Worksheet →
ActivitiesKids place a paper butterfly on, under, beside or between flowers as you call out each position word.
Open Position Words Butterfly Activity →
WorksheetsHide a small toy in the room. The finder must tell everyone where it was using a position word before it counts.
Open Prepositions Positions Worksheet →Teacher favorites right now: Prepositions Positions Worksheet, What's the Location Worksheet and Identifying Location Worksheet.
Position words describe where something is, like above, below, beside, between, in front of, behind, inside and outside. They are part of early geometry in preschool and kindergarten.
They build spatial sense, which kids need later for shapes, maps, graphs and following directions in geometry. Knowing where things are in space is a real math skill.
Use everyday moments: "Put your shoes under the bed," or "Is the cup on the table or beside it?" Playing hide and seek with a toy and describing where it was is a favorite.
Many kids start learning left and right in kindergarten, but it often takes until age 6 or 7 to be reliable. Keep it playful and give lots of practice.
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