Maryland Math K.GR.B.4

MathKindergartenGeometric Reasoning and Measurement

The Standard

Describe the relative positions of objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.

Maryland College and Career Ready Standards for Mathematics (2025) · WORK WITH TWO-DIMENSIONAL AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL SHAPES.

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students follow directions to move a toy around a chair or box. They say where the toy is, using the chair or box as the reference point.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can put a bear behind a chair when asked and say, “The bear is behind the chair.” They can move it in front of the chair and describe its new spot.
Common Misconceptions: Students may use “next to” for any nearby spot, even above or below. They may mix up in front of and behind when they walk to the other side of a chair.
How to Assess It: Give each student a toy bear and a box. Say, “Put the bear behind the box, then beside it. Tell me where it is after each move.”

Lesson moves

Pairs move a toy bear around a chair, taking turns placing it above, below, beside, in front of, or behind.
Put a backpack behind a chair and ask, “Where is the backpack, and what would change if I moved it beside the chair?”
Play “Where’s the Bear?”: place a toy bear beside, behind, or in front of a box while students take turns naming its spot.
During cleanup, ask students to place a book next to the pencil cup and a folder below the desk, then name each spot.

Free download

$Preview of the K.GR.B.4 printable worksheet$

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to K.GR.B.4, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Keep exploring

Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.