Mini Lesson on Prepositions Unit u09a1

2.  Objective: Students will be able to identify words and groups of words that are prepositions.
 Objective: Students will be able to use prepositions in a sentence.
 PA State Standards: 1.5 Quality of Writing (F.1.5.5)
 Materials needed:
 Six 3 x 5 index cards each card will have one of the following prepositions or groups of
prepositions written or typed on it:
 on top
 inside
 under
 between
 toward
 With
 A list of commonly used prepositions (see slide 16 to print list for student reference).
a shoe box with a top
Book entitled Behind the Mask by Ruth Heller
Directions: Tape index preposition card (on top) on top of the shoe box cover.
Tape index preposition card (inside) inside of the shoe box.
Tape index preposition card (under) on the bottom of the shoe box.
Preposition index cards (between, toward, with) will be given to individual students for kinesthetic
exercise.

3.  This lesson is appropriate for ESL students
and students who are native speakers of
the English language - grades 5 to 7.

4. Today we will learn about Prepositions.
 A preposition is a word or group of words
that is placed before a noun or pronoun
to show how a sentence fits together.

5.  I would like to read to you a few pages
from a book entitled:
Behind the Mask by Ruth Heller. As I read
the book, I will hold my left hand up when
I read a preposition.
(Prepositions are typed in red print.)

6. “Of prepositions have no fear. They help to
make directions clear” (p.1). “Along the
northern shore, bear east” (p. 2). “Beyond
this green reptilian beast… past its hungry
gaping mouth… veer directly…”(pgs 3 – 4).
“To the south, toward a place where
mermaids flock upon, beside, and near a
rock” (p.5). “One hundred twenty paces
west…the treasure lies inside this
chest”(p.6).

7. “Prepositions are best!” (p. 7). “They’re
never alone. They’re always in phrases…
behind the masks and through the mazes”
(p. 8). “They almost always start the
phrase…” (p. 9). “Around the World in
Eighty Days except if you perhaps should
find that you’re poetically inclined and wish
to say”. “The World Around then at the very
end they’re found” (p. 10).

8.  A preposition is a word or group of words
that is placed before a noun or pronoun
to show how a sentence fits together.

9. Review: a noun – is a
Person

10. Review: A noun is a
Place

11. A noun is a
Thing

12. Location
The chairs are under the umbrella.
(noun) (preposition)

13. Movement or Direction
The man walks into the office.
(noun) (preposition)
He climbs up the stairs.
(noun) (preposition)

14. Time
We are leaving at 4:00 p.m.
(pronoun) (preposition)

15. List of Prepositions
Movement
Location Direction Time
across down before
inside into after
between near now
I will say each of these words . You repeat them after I say them. Additional examples:
She walked across the street.
(pronoun) (preposition)
We eat desert after dinner.
(pronoun) (preposition)
They went into the store.
(pronoun) (preposition)

16. Show box with Preposition (on top)
I put my hand on top of the box.

17. Show box with Preposition (inside)
Look inside the box.
Inside

18. Show box with Preposition (under)
The man is under
the boxes.

19.  Kinesthetic – Class Exercise
 Katia, Michael and Jose please stand.
 Katia will hold the (between) index card.
 Katia is standing between Michael and Jose.
between

20.  Kinesthetic – Class Exercise
 Give student preposition (toward) card.
John is walking toward me.
Give student preposition (with) card.
Muhammid is standing with me.

21. List of Prepositions
Movement
Location Direction Time
across down before
inside into after
between near now
I will divide you into groups of two or three students. In your group, choose two
prepositions and write a sentence for each.

22. List of Prepositions
Movement
Location Direction Time
across down before
inside into after
between near now
Now, please share your sentences with the class.

23. Movement
Location Direction Time
across down before
inside into after
between near now
Now, let’s review. On the count of three, we will say
each preposition as I point to it.

24.  For homework, you will take the
preposition list home and practice
writing sentences. We will continue to
share our sentences with prepositions
tomorrow.