Pre-K · Geometry
PK.G.1: Positional words (up/down)
PK.G.1 is a Pre-K math standard in Geometry. Here’s what it really covers, and how you can help your students learn it.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
The Pre-K math learning standard
Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as top, bottom, up, down, in front of, behind, over, under, and next to.
In plain words
Positional words (up/down).
Sample questions from student practice
These questions from Bobby's Math Club are the kinds of questions your students will see. You can try answering them to see what a student might see.
Question 1 of 3
If you climb a ladder to the top, which direction are you going?
- Up
- Down
- Sideways
Where students can get stuck
- Recognizing a circle in a picture book but not noticing that a plate, a wheel, or a coin is one too.
- Mixing up "in front of" and "behind," especially when an object such as a toy car faces away.
- Saying "on top of" for anything high, such as a picture on the wall above the sofa.
Effective teaching strategies
- Place a stuffed animal on top of, under, in front of, behind, and next to a chair, then lift it up and lower it down, and have students say where it is each time.
- Hold a block over a box without touching it and then set it on top, so students hear the difference between over and on top of.
- Go on a shape hunt around the room and have students name a circle in a clock or a round rug and say where it is, such as next to the door.
Share it with families
Families can read Naming shapes around us and saying where things are for a plain-language look at this skill, with three questions to try together and ideas for helping at home.
Help every student practice geometry at home
In Bobby's Math Club, students practice at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free for every family.
See how it works for teachers
Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.