Everyone stand up in a clear space. Watch me turn on the spot, then copy each turn with me. First we turn all the way around, back to where we started. Now a half turn. Now just a quarter of the way. Each time we stop, notice which direction you are facing.

Watch the arrow on the board. It starts pointing up. Each time I press the quarter turn button, it turns a quarter of the way round, clockwise, which is the way a clock's hands go. After each turn, say which way it points. Look carefully: the arrow stays exactly the same size. Only the direction it points changes.

Lay your pencil flat on your desk with its point facing the board. That is pointing up. Press one finger on the other end so that end stays still. When I call a turn, turn the pencil around your finger and tell me which way the point faces now.

• Point it right, quarter turn clockwise.
• Point it left, half turn.
• Point it right, three-quarter turn clockwise.
• Point it down, quarter turn clockwise.

Now for the tricky ones with your pencil. Work these in order, each a little harder. Try to predict the new direction before you turn.

• Point it up, quarter turn clockwise. Which way now?
• Point it right, half turn. Which way?
• Point it down, three-quarter turn clockwise. Which way?
• Point it left, find the single turn that makes it point up.
• Start facing up. A full turn brings it straight back to up. Find a second, different turn that also brings your pencil back to facing up.