Following Directions Worksheet

Students follow ten numbered steps on a lettered shape grid, colouring, circling, counting and drawing, then write two directions for a partner.

Format

Only the colour PDF is ready for this resource so far. The other formats are on the way.

At a glance
Years
1–3
Pages
2
A4
Type
Worksheet
Includes
Answer key

Materials: none (crayons optional)

Answer key included

Last updated

Following ten directions on a shape grid

A 4-by-4 grid of shapes, with rows A to D and columns 1 to 4, gives every box an exact name, so B3 means row B, column 3. Students follow ten steps that build on each other: colour, circle, draw a line and a smiley face, move one box down from their X, and count shapes. Then they write two new steps about the grid and trade them. The key notes that a clear direction names one exact box or shape and one action.

Bring it into your classroom.

Students will

Learning objectives

  • Follow written multi-step directions in order.
  • Find a box on a grid from its row letter and column number.
  • Use position words such as right, down and above to find a place.
  • Write a direction that names one exact place and one action.
From the creator

Teaching tips

1

Model step 2 before students start: put a finger on A1 and count two boxes to the right, landing on the square in A3. Students often count A1 itself and stop one box short.

2

Step 9's answer is 2: the A1 circle and the C3 triangle. A student who writes a different number has coloured an extra shape or skipped step 1 or step 5.

3

Test partner directions by having the writer watch the partner follow them without talking. A direction that needs explaining is missing a box name or an action.

Differentiation

Meet every learner.

Ways to adjust the ten steps for different students.

Support

One step at a time

  • Read each step aloud and wait until everyone finishes before reading the next.
  • Do steps 1 and 2 together on a displayed copy.
  • Highlight the row letters and column numbers before starting.
On level

Teach as written

  • Students read and complete all ten steps on their own, marking each one as they go.
  • Partners trade and follow each other's directions.
Extension

Harder directions

  • Write a partner direction that depends on an earlier one, like step 3.
  • Write three directions that lead to a hidden shape and see if a partner lands on it.
  • Add a fifth row, E, and write two steps that use it.

Curriculum alignment.

Each one is checked against the official document. Where the resource covers only part of a standard, the note says so.

Australian Curriculum: Mathematics · Year 2
AC9M2SP02Locate positions and follow directions

Students follow ten written steps on a shape grid, finding boxes by row and column, moving right, down and above, then write two directions for a partner; the grid is a made-up space rather than a familiar real place.

Good to know.

Does it use the "read everything first" trick?

No. Every step is meant to be done, in order; the steps build on each other instead.

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Following Directions Worksheet · 2 pages
Following Directions Worksheet: a 4-by-4 lettered shape grid of circles, stars, squares and triangles, ten steps to follow and answer boxes
Page 1 of 2 · Page 1
Following Directions Worksheet: answer key showing the marked-up shape grid with coloured shapes, X, circle, line and smiley, plus step results
Page 2 of 2 · Page 2
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