Moving on a grid: up, down, left and right: what children learn
In this game children build a list of arrow moves to get Jigby the robot to the star. Rocks block some squares, so they need to plan a route around them. Some rounds start with a route that has one wrong move for children to find and fix. The Quick quiz orders turns and directions.
Enrichment: describing movement with up, down, left and right. It links to the position words in Kindergarten standard K.G.A.1.
How to play
Build a program of arrows to get Jigby to the star, then press Run. Each arrow moves Jigby one square. You can also use the arrow keys. Each game has 5 levels and no timer. Some levels have a bug to fix. If Jigby bumps into a rock or stops in the wrong place, change the program and run it again. You get a point for each level solved on the first run. You can also choose Put in order: 5 sets of steps to put in the right order, with no timer.
Step by step
- Look at where Jigby starts. Find Jigby and the star. Is the star above or below Jigby? To the left or to the right?
- Count the squares. Count how many squares Jigby needs to move up or down, and how many to the left or right.
- Plan around the rocks. If a rock is in the way, go round it. There is often more than one route.
- Run and check. Press Run and watch Jigby move one square at a time. If he stops in the wrong place, look at which move went wrong.
Worked examples
Example 1: The star is 2 squares to the right of Jigby. Which moves get him there?
Working: Move right, then right again.
Answer: right, right
Example 2: The star is 1 square up and 2 squares left. What could the moves be?
Working: Any order works if there is no rock in the way.
Answer: up, left, left (or left, left, up)
Example 3: Jigby's moves are up, up, right but the star is up 1 and right 1. Which move is wrong?
Working: He goes up one square too many.
Answer: The second up
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Mixing up left and right. Hold up your left hand with the thumb out: the fingers make an L for left.
- Counting the square Jigby is on as a move. Count the jumps, not the squares: put a finger on Jigby and count each step.
- Going straight through a rock. Trace the route with a finger first, checking each square.
Activities to try at home
- Give directions to find a hidden toy: 'Three steps forwards, then turn right.'
- Draw a grid on paper, place a toy and a 'treasure', and write the moves.
- Play a board game and count the squares moved out loud.
Ideas for the classroom
- Use a floor robot or a chalk grid in the playground.
- Students give each other directions to reach a target on a grid.
- Show a route with one wrong move and ask students to fix it.
Free printable game and worksheet
The free printable starts with a game sheet, such as a color-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
How should I choose this game for my learner?
Enrichment: describing movement with up, down, left and right. It links to the position words in Kindergarten standard K.G.A.1.
Why do some rounds have a mistake?
Finding the wrong move makes children follow a route step by step, which builds the language of direction.
Can it be played with a keyboard?
Yes. With the game selected, press the arrow keys to add moves and Backspace to remove the last one, then Tab to Run.