Learn to Identify Clockwise and Anticlockwise

When we describe position, direction, and movement we need to use certain words to determine positions. 

 

Here, we are going to look at the words 'clockwise' and 'anticlockwise'. 

 

Let's see what they mean!

 

Clockwise

The direction the hands move around a clock is the clockwise direction. 

 

   

 

This arrow shows the direction that the hands move around the clock.  

 

So, if a shape were to move clockwise, we could imagine it moving around with the clock hands, like this: 

 

  

 

This hippo has moved clockwise!

 

This is how it would look without a clock:

 

  

 

 

Anticlockwise

The direction the hands move around a clock is the clockwise direction. 

The opposite direction is called anticlockwise. 

 

     

 

This arrow shows the direction that the hands move in the anticlockwise direction. 

 

So, if a shape were to move anticlockwise, we could imagine it moving backwards around the clock, like this: 

 

   

 

This hippo has moved anticlockwise!

 

This is how it would look without a clock:

 

    

 

Let's have a go at some questions now!