Whole, half and quarter turns: what children learn
Year 1 pupils learn to describe position, direction and movement, including whole, half, quarter and three-quarter turns. A whole turn goes all the way round back to the start; a half turn ends up facing the opposite way.
In this game children sort turns made by clock hands and by Jigby the robot. Every turn is clockwise, the same way the hands on a clock move. Using the 12, 3, 6 and 9 on a clock face gives children a clear picture of quarter turns.
This topic covers the Year 1 statutory requirement in the National Curriculum in England (Geometry – position and direction): pupils should be taught to “describe position, direction and movement, including whole, half, quarter and three-quarter turns”. Year 1 pupils are usually aged 5–6.
For families following US standards, the closest Common Core standard is K.G.A.1, which is taught in Kindergarten.
How to play
Sort the cards into the right groups. Tap a card, then its group. You can also drag a card, or press the number on its group. Each game has 3 rounds with no timer. Every card is checked as soon as you place it: a card in the wrong group comes back with a hint, and you get a point for each card you place right first time. For a quicker go, choose Quick quiz: 10 multiple-choice questions in 150 seconds (choose Relaxed for more time).
Step by step
- Use the clock face. From 12 to 3 is a quarter turn, from 12 to 6 is a half turn, from 12 to 9 is a three-quarter turn and from 12 all the way back to 12 is a whole turn.
- Count the quarters. Each jump between 12, 3, 6 and 9 is one quarter turn. Count the jumps: 1 is a quarter, 2 is a half, 3 is three quarters and 4 is a whole turn.
- Facing the opposite way. After a half turn you face the opposite way: from the front to the back, or from the left to the right.
- Clockwise. Clockwise means turning the same way as the hands on a clock. Anticlockwise is the other way.
Worked examples
Example 1: A clock hand turns clockwise from 3 to 9. What turn is that?
Working: 3 to 6 is one quarter, 6 to 9 is another.
Answer: half turn
Example 2: Jigby faces the front and turns clockwise to face the left. What turn is that?
Working: Front to right, right to back, back to left: 3 quarters.
Answer: three-quarter turn
Example 3: A clock hand turns from 12 to 3. What turn is that?
Working: One jump.
Answer: quarter turn
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Thinking from 12 to 9 is a quarter turn because it looks close. Check the direction. Going clockwise from 12, you pass 3 and 6 before you reach 9.
- Confusing a whole turn with no turn. A whole turn ends where it started, but it goes all the way round.
- Mixing up clockwise and anticlockwise. Stand facing a clock and turn your arm the same way as its hands.
Activities to try at home
- Play 'Simon says' with turns: 'Simon says make a half turn.'
- Turn a toy round and ask which way it is facing now.
- Use a clock to show quarter, half and whole turns of the minute hand.
Ideas for the classroom
- Pupils stand and make quarter, half and three-quarter turns, naming what they now face.
- Programme a floor robot to turn and move.
- Draw a large clock on the playground and walk the turns.
Free printable game and worksheet
The free printable starts with a game sheet, such as a colour-by-answer picture, an answer maze or a secret-code joke, followed by a worksheet. Both use the same checked questions as the online game, and the answers are on the last page. Print it, or save it as a PDF from your browser’s print menu.
Open the free printable game and worksheet
Frequently asked questions
Why are all the turns clockwise?
Keeping one direction makes the turns easier to compare. Turning both ways can come later.
Do Year 1 pupils need to know right angles?
No. Right angles are introduced in Year 3. In Year 1 a quarter turn is described as a quarter of the way round.
Can it be played with a keyboard?
Yes. Tab to a card, press Enter to pick it up, then choose its group.