Number Crew
1: Shape and Space 1
Programme 4: Fit Club – Describing Positions and Directions
Bradley thinks the passengers should have more exercise, so he has formed a fitness club. He realises the animals do not understand position words as he tries to get them in order. They need a song from Matthew before they can get into position. When Bradley starts to give them instructions for moving, they don't know in which direction to move. Matthew helps again and soon the animals are quite good at understanding directions, but Bradley is not so good at giving them.
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It is recommended that teachers preview the programmes to note the places they might wish to stop the tape to encourage discussion. The programmes can be used as part of the introductory class activity, where the tape is stopped at pre-planned points and the whole class is encouraged to identify and review the problems posed or predict answers. Alternatively the programmes can be used as part of the main teaching activity before children pursue their differentiated tasks. At times it may be useful to use a whole programme as part of the plenary/last session of a lesson to allow children to review their own understanding of the work they have been doing and allow teachers to assess the children informally as they watch the programme.
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The Number Crew 1: Shape and Space 1 is a unit of five 10-minute programmes designed to support key objectives in the National Numeracy Strategy for 5-6 year olds.
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Before viewing
- Spend some time playing a game like 'Where's the animal?'. Place a soft toy in different positions and ask the children to say, without pointing, where it is. Give the children an example to follow such as, 'Mr Tiger is on top if the cupboard'.
After viewing
- Discuss Matthew's challenge: Could you give your friend directions to get to the classroom door – how many steps – right, left, forwards? Would they get to the door or end up in the waste bin?
- Children can learn many words related to position when engaged in practical tasks. Weaving is particularly good for illustrating 'under and over'.
- Work in PE offers many opportunities for children to explore shape and position language.
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For further extensive information on how to use the programmes, as well as photocopiable activities, see The Number Crew 1: Shape and Space 1 Resource Book. To get more details about the whole Number Crew maths package for 5-7 year olds visit the website: www.channel4.com/numbercrew
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