Looking for a fun and visual way to practise positional language with your students? Where Is It? Positional Language Activity is an interactive and hands-on resource designed to help students consolidate their understanding of key prepositions by sorting images based on positional clues.

Students work independently or in small groups to complete a series of six themed sorting mats. Each mat focuses on a specific pair of positional terms, such as “on and under” or “between and beside.” With 12 matching picture cards per set and bright, clear visuals, students will enjoy this engaging task while developing critical language skills.

Colour-coded and easy to manage, this resource is ideal for repeated use across rotations or learning centres. Whether used as part of your explicit instruction in positional language or as a fast finisher activity, it offers plenty of flexibility and visual support to suit all learners. Simply print, cut, and laminate to create a reusable classroom staple!

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Recognise and understand common positional language terms
• ✅ Sort images based on spatial concepts and descriptive clues
• ✅ Build oral language and vocabulary through discussion of image placement
• ✅ Strengthen fine motor skills and classification strategies
• ✅ Work collaboratively or independently in a structured sorting task

What’s Included:

• 6 colour-coded sorting mats, each focusing on a positional language pair
• 72 sorting cards (12 per mat) featuring bright and bold clipart
• Sorting categories include:
  • - On and Under
  • - In Front and Behind
  • - In and Out
  • - Far and Near
  • - Between and Beside
  • - Above and Below

Materials Needed:

• Printed sorting mats and cards
• Scissors for cutting (before use)
• Laminator and pouches for long-term use
• Ziplock bags or envelopes for card organisation

How to Use:

1. Print and laminate the six sorting mats and all corresponding cards.
2. Place each set of cards with its matching mat using colour coding to keep organised.
3. Students select a mat and sort the images according to the positional terms displayed.
4. Encourage students to say the position aloud as they place each card.
5. Use completed mats for peer checking or oral explanation to reinforce vocabulary use.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use during small group literacy or oral language sessions
• 💡 Set up as an independent rotation in your English or vocabulary centres
• 💡 Pair with a positional language read-aloud or story for thematic reinforcement
• 💡 Send home laminated mini versions in a take-home language pack
• 💡 Include in an EAL station to support language acquisition and understanding

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Store each mat and card set in separate labelled folders or envelopes
• 💛 Model the sorting process for one mat with the whole class before rotation
• 💛 Use Velcro dots to keep cards secure on the mats for kinaesthetic learners
• 💛 Encourage partner talk: “Why did you put it there?” to extend oral reasoning
• 💛 Print an additional set in black and white for cut-and-paste workbook use

Where Is It? Positional Language Activity is a vibrant and flexible resource that turns abstract spatial concepts into concrete, fun experiences. Perfect for whole-class support or targeted small group work, it will quickly become a classroom favourite!