Understand the idea.
One instruction at a time
A route is a set of moves from a start to an end. Find the named start before moving. One square means a move into the next square, not counting the square you already occupy.
Give both distance and direction, such as two squares up. Follow that whole instruction, stop, then read the next instruction. Keep your finger on the current square so you do not accidentally start again.
Check the route
Follow instructions in the order given, then check the finishing place. On the pictured route, the counter first travels up the left column, then moves right along the top row to the goal.
A clear route names a start, a unit, distances and directions. Different routes can sometimes reach the same goal. To check one, follow it exactly and see whether its final square is the intended end.
See the method in action.
Follow the drawn path
How does the drawn path go from START to GOAL?
Worked solution
- 1
Find START in the bottom-left square.
Every move must begin from the marked starting square.
- 2
Follow the vertical part of the path.
Move from bottom-left to middle-left, then to top-left: two moves.
- 3
Follow the horizontal part to GOAL.
Move through top-middle to top-right, so the complete route is two up, then two right.
Two squares up, then two squares right.
Undo a move
A counter moves one square right, then one square left. Where is it now?
Worked solution
- 1
Follow the first move.
The counter moves into the neighbouring square on its right.
- 2
Follow the second move from there.
Left is the opposite direction and the distance is the same.
- 3
Compare the finish with the start.
The second move retraces the first, so the counter is back at its starting square.
Back at its starting square.
Try it yourself.
Check your understanding
A counter starts in the bottom-left of a 3-by-3 grid. It moves two squares up. Where is it?
Show answer & reasoning
The top-left square.
It finishes in the top-left square. The first upward move reaches middle-left and the second reaches top-left; the counter stays in the left column.
Keep practising
6 worksheet questions
Read the questions online
- Follow the pictured path. How many squares right does it move after going up?
- Start at the bottom-left of a 3-by-3 grid. Move one square right. Where do you finish?
- A counter moves two squares left and two squares right. Where does it finish compared with its start?
- Write a route from bottom-left to top-right in a 3-by-3 grid, using only up and right.
- An instruction says move three. What information is missing?
- Draw a simple start and goal. Write two movement instructions, then check them with a finger.
Read the worked solutions
- Follow the pictured path. How many squares right does it move after going up?
Count from top-left to top-middle to top-right.
2 squares. - Start at the bottom-left of a 3-by-3 grid. Move one square right. Where do you finish?
Stay on the bottom row and move one position right.
The bottom-middle square. - A counter moves two squares left and two squares right. Where does it finish compared with its start?
The second move goes back over the same distance as the first.
At the starting place. - Write a route from bottom-left to top-right in a 3-by-3 grid, using only up and right.
Any route with two up moves and two right moves staying on the grid is valid.
For example, two squares up then two squares right. - An instruction says move three. What information is missing?
A number alone does not define a move.
The direction and the unit, such as three steps forward or three squares right. - Draw a simple start and goal. Write two movement instructions, then check them with a finger.
Follow the instructions exactly from the stated start.
Answers vary: the instructions state distances/directions and reach the drawn goal.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 / SA Curriculum 2026
Year 1 relative position and clear instructions for moving people and objects in familiar spaces.
Official curriculum source ↗