- Definition
Orientation means which way something is facing. If you turn or flip an object, its orientation changes, but if you just slide it, it stays facing the same direction.
When a dancer spins, their orientation changes from facing the audience to facing the back of the stage.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Orientation is like which way you're facing when you play freeze dance; you might be facing the window one moment and the door the next.
Ask your child: If you do a cartwheel, which way are you facing at the end?
Common mix-up: Kids may think just moving changes your orientation. The key idea is that orientation is about the direction you are facing, which only changes when you turn or flip.
Examples
- Sliding from one side of the gym to the other without turning your body changes your position, but not your orientation.
- Doing a log roll on a mat changes your orientation from facing the ceiling to facing the floor.
- A basketball player pivoting on one foot changes their orientation to face a different part of the court.
orientation is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
