- Definition
Something that is "vertical" goes straight up and down, like a tall tree or a wall.
On a coordinate grid, the y-axis is the vertical line that runs up and down.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Vertical is like standing up perfectly straight, from your head to your toes.
Ask your child: Can you point to something in this room that is vertical?
Common mix-up: Kids often mix up vertical and horizontal. Vertical lines go straight up and down, like a tall building, not side to side.
Examples
- The side edges of a door or a tall bookcase are vertical.
- The lines separating columns in a math worksheet are vertical.
vertical 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 ↗
