Left and Right

Ages 3–6 · 14 minutes · Math, English

Which hand is which? Play with poodles to learn the difference between left and right.

Students will learn the difference between the left, middle and right parts of an object. After the lesson, students should be able to recognize and describe where an object is in a picture (left/middle/right), identify which of their hands is left and right, and distinguish between left and right directions.

Part of

Location Words

Standards alignment

Common Core State Standards

K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.

Alabama

ELA21.K.6 — Uses spatial and temporal concepts correctly.
MA19.K.18 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as _above, below, beside, in front of, behind,_ and _next to._
SS10.K.10 — Apply vocabulary related to giving and following directions.

Alaska

K.G.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes and describe their relative positions (e.g.,above, below, beside, in front of, behind, next to).
L.K.6 — Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.
L.K.5.c — Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful).

Arizona

K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
K.L.6 — Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.

Arkansas

K.GM.1 — Describe the positions of objects and geometric shapes in the environment. • Terms include: inside, outside, between, above, below, near, far, under, over, up, down, behind, in front of, next to, to the left of, and to the right of
G.1.K.1 — Describe familiar places using words that communicate location (e.g., beside, past, before), direction (e.g., right/left), and distance (e.g., long/short).

California

K.4.1 — Determine the relative locations of objects using the terms near/far, left/right, and behind/in front.
K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
L.K.6 — Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.

Colorado

P.G.B.4 — Understand and use language related to directionality, order, and the position of objects, including up/down and in front/behind.
K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
P.G.B.5 — Correctly follow directions involving their own position in space, such as “Stand up” and “Move forward.”
RWC20-GR.PS-S.1-GLE.1-EO.b — Comprehend increasingly complex and varied vocabulary.

Connecticut

K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
L.K.5.c — Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful).

Delaware

K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
L.K.5.c — Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful).

Florida

SS.K.G.1.1 — Describe the relative location of people, places, and things by using positional words.
ELA.K.V.1.2 — Ask and answer questions about unfamiliar words in grade-level content.

Georgia

K.GSR.8.2 — Describe the relative location of an object using positional words.
ELAGSEKSL4 — Describe familiar people, places, things, and events and, with prompting and support, provide additional detail.
ELAGSEKL6 — Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.

Hawaii

K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
SS.K.3.13.3 — Examine physical characteristics on maps and globes using positional words

Idaho

K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as “above,” “below,” beside, “in front of,” “behind,” and “next to.”

Illinois

K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
L.K.5.b — Demonstrate understanding of frequently occurring verbs and adjectives by relating them to their opposites (antonyms).
L.K.5.c — Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful).

Indiana

K.G.1 — Use words related to location, direction, and distance, including here/there, over/under, left/right, above/below, forward/backward, and between. (E)
K.CC.5 — Follow simple two or three-step oral directions.

Iowa

K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, besides, in front of, behind, and next to.
L.K.5.b — Demonstrate understanding of frequently occurring verbs and adjectives by relating them to their opposites (antonyms).
L.K.5.c — Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful).
L.K.6 — Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.

Kansas

K.G.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.

Kentucky

KY.K.G.1.b — Describe the relative positions of these objects using terms above, below, in front of, behind and next to.
L.K.4.c — Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.

Louisiana

K.18 — Use maps and models to describe relative location. For example: locating objects and places to the right or left, up or down, in or out, above or below.
K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
L.K.6 — Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.

Maine

K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
L.5.K.c — Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful).

Maryland

identifying important objects in the classroom using the terms near/far, left/right, behind/in front, and up/down.
K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
L.PK.6 — Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, being read to, and responding to texts.
L.PK.5.c — Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note objects in the classroom that are small).

Massachusetts

K.T2.1 — Describe the location of people, objects, and places, using correctly words and phrases such as up, down, near, far, left, right, straight, back, behind, in front of, next to, between.
K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
PK.G.A.1 — Identify relative positions of objects in space, and use appropriate language (e.g., beside, inside, next to, close to, above, below, apart).

Michigan

K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
K–G1.0.2 — Use directions or positional words to identify significant locations in the classroom.
L.K.5.c — Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful).

Minnesota

0.3.1.1.1 — Describe spatial information depicted in simple drawings and pictures. For example: While looking at a picture, the student says, "The boy is in front of the house. The house is at the edge of the woods." Other words describing spatial information in a picture include up, down, left, right, near, far, back, in front of.
K.3.2.1 — Use words to compare objects according to length, size, weight and position. For example: Use same, lighter, longer, above, between and next to. Another example: Identify objects that are near your desk and objects that are in front of it. Explain why there may be some objects in both groups.

Mississippi

K.G.1.3 — Explain a place using terms related to location, direction, size, and distance (e.g., up, down, left, right, far, near, etc.).
K.G.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.

Missouri

K.GM.C.7 — Describe the relative positions of objects in space.
K.EG.5.B.a — Apply positional words to locations within the classroom
K.R.1.B.e — using words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts

Montana

K.G.A.1 — Describe objects, including those of Montana American Indians, in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as: above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
L.K.6 — Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.
L.K.5.c — Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful).

Nebraska

K.G.1.c — Describe the relative positions of shapes in relation to other objects or shapes using terms such as above, below, in front of, behind, and next to.
SS K.3.1.a — Communicate personal directions to describe relative locations of people and objects.
SS K.3.1 — Explore where (spatial) and why people, places and environments are organized in the world.

Nevada

K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
L.K.6 — Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.
L.K.5.b — Demonstrate understanding of frequently occurring verbs and adjectives by relating them to their opposites (antonyms).

New Hampshire

K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
L.K.5.c — Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful).

New Jersey

K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
L.K.6 — Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.
L.K.5.b — Demonstrate understanding of frequently occurring verbs and adjectives by relating them to their opposites (antonyms).

New Mexico

K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
L.K.6 — Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.
L.K.5.c — Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful).

New York

K.6c — Places, physical features, and man-made structures can be located on a map or globe and described using specific geographic vocabulary.
NY-K.G.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
NY-PK.G.1 — 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, above, below, in front of, behind, over, under, and next to.

North Carolina

NC.K.G.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of objects using positional terms.
K.G.1.3 — Identify locations in the classroom, community, and around the world with positional words.
PS.K.2.1 — Use models to compare the relative position of various objects observed in the classroom and outside using position words such as: in front of, behind, between, on top of, under, above, below, beside.
L.K.6 — Use words and phrases learned through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.

North Dakota

K.L.2 — Identify parts of speech in sentences orally, with illustrations, or in writing:
K-2.MA.C — Learners can make connections and demonstrate relationships using words, pictures, or symbols.

Ohio

K.G.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
K.5 — Terms related to direction and distance, as well as symbols and landmarks, can be used to talk about the relative location of familiar places.
L.K.6 — Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.

Oklahoma

PK.2.2 — Use basic directional terms in relation to the student’s relative location.
PK.1.L.2 — Students will follow simple one-step oral directions.
PK.4.R.3 — Students will begin to acquire new vocabulary and relate new words to prior knowledge.
PK.5.R.2 — Students will hear different parts of speech through conversations, read-alouds, and interactive reading: • concrete objects as persons, places, or things (i.e., nouns) • words as actions (i.e., verbs) • color adjectives • spatial and time relationships such as up, down, before, and after
PK.3.R.2 — Students will answer basic questions (e.g., who, what, where, and when) about texts, photographs, or illustrations during shared reading or other text experiences with prompting.

Oregon

K.12 — Use terms related to location, direction, and distance (such as over/under, here/there, left/right, above/below, forward/backward, between).
K.GM.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes and describe the relative positions of these objects in their environment.
K.L.5c — Identify real-life connections between words and their use.

Pennsylvania

CC.1.2.PK.J — Use new vocabulary and phrases acquired in conversations and being read to.

Rhode Island

K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
L.K.6 — Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, activities in the kindergarten curriculum, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.
L.K.5.c — Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful).

South Carolina

K.G.1 — Describe positions of objects by appropriately using terms, including below, above, beside, between, inside, outside, in front of, or behind.
ELA.K.C.9.1 — Ask and answer questions in conversation on a topic.

South Dakota

K.G.1.2 — Use environmental directions or positional words including but not limited to up, down, above, and below to identify significant locations in the classroom
K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
K.L.6 — Use vocabulary acquired through conversations, reading, and learning experiences, to ask questions and convey ideas.

Tennessee

K.08 — Use personal directions such as: up, down, near, far, left, right, in front of, and behind.
K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes and solids (squares, circles, triangles, rectangles, hexagons, cubes, cones, cylinders, and spheres). Describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, between, and next to.

Texas

K.3A — use spatial terms, including over, under, near, far, left, and right, to describe relative location;
K.3C — identify and use words that name actions; directions; positions; sequences; categories such as colors, shapes, and textures; and locations.
K.6C — observe and describe the location of an object in relation to another such as above, below, behind, in front of, and beside; and
K.6F — respond using newly acquired vocabulary as appropriate.

Utah

K.3.1.a — Locate objects in the classroom using the terms near/far, left/right, behind/in front, and up/down.
K.3 — Students will use geographic terms and tools.
K.3.2.c — Determine a location by using terms such as near/far, up/down, right/left.
K.G.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.

Vermont

K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.

Washington

K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
L.K.6 — Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.
L.K.5.b — Demonstrate understanding of frequently occurring verbs and adjectives by relating them to their opposites (antonyms).

Washington, D.C.

K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
K.20 — Explain the concept of relative location using directional words.
L.K.6 — Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.

West Virginia

M.K.20 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind and next to.
SS.K.10 — Identify the difference between bodies of water and land masses on maps and globes, and demonstrate directions (e.g., left/right, up/down, near/far and above/under).

Wisconsin

M.K.G.A.1 — Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.

Wyoming

K.G.H.1 — Describe objects in the environment using the names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.
L.K.5.b — Demonstrate understanding of frequently occurring verbs and adjectives by relating them to their opposites (antonyms).
L.K.5.c — Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful).