These position words help us describe where something is placed when objects are arranged vertically. Students learn to identify which object is at the top, which is in the middle, and which is at the bottom of a group.
Encourage students to imagine a vertical line through the objects and to think about the position from top to bottom, just like reading a thermometer or a ruler.
The top position is the highest spot in a vertical arrangement. It is the first object you see when looking down from above or from the top of a column.
Use physical objects stacked on a table to show the top position. Let students place objects on top themselves to reinforce the concept.
The middle position is between the top and bottom. When there are three objects stacked, the middle one is exactly between the top and bottom.
Ask students to point to the object in the middle and describe what is above and below it. This helps solidify the spatial understanding of “middle.”
The bottom position is the lowest spot in a vertical arrangement. It is the object at the base or the last in a stack from top to bottom.
Have students touch or tap the bottom object to connect the concept with their own physical space and to remember it as the lowest point.
Students can describe a vertical arrangement fully by naming all three positions. This skill supports sequencing and clear communication.
Encourage students to use full sentences when describing positions. For example: "The star is on the top, the moon is in the middle, and the sun is at the bottom."