ALEX Learning Activity

This learning activity is an introduction to prepositional phrases. During this activity, students watch an introductory video on prepositional phrases and complete a handout to identify and create their own prepositional phrases. At the conclusion of this activity, students will be able to identify prepositional phrases in writing and identify the preposition and its object.

This activity was created as a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

Following this activity students will be able to do the following:

1. Define prepositions and prepositional phrases.

2. Distinguish the preposition from the object of the preposition.

3. Create sentences that include one or more prepositional phrases.

4. Complete grammar practices that focus on identifying prepositional phrases (distinguishing the preposition from the object).

This activity is designed to introduce students to prepositions and prepositional phrases.  The activity will begin with students drawing a large square (box) on their paper (the teacher will draw a square on the board). The teacher will ask students to write on or around the box everything a mouse can do to, on, or with the box. Students will take about three minutes to complete this introductory activity. Once students are stopped, they will be encouraged to share some of their answers as the teacher writes the answers in the appropriate location on the box drawn on the board. The teacher will identify the prepositions and share their relationship with the box. The teacher will then show a short Prepositional Phrase video. This video will provide students with a brief overview of what prepositional phrases are and what they do within a sentence. To provide a more solid foundation, students will view a Powerpoint presentation on Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases and also be provided with a list of common Prepositions. Once the presentation is done, students will complete a two-part practice on prepositions, prepositional phrases, and the object of the preposition. Here is a copy of an acceptable Preposition Practice Handout with an answer key. To culminate this activity students will complete an exit slip where they create three sentences using two or more prepositional phrases in each sentence. With each prepositional phrase, students must identify the preposition and the object of the preposition.

Students will be evaluated using the following methods:

1. The mouse and box introduction activity

2. Prepositions and prepositional phrase practice handout

3. Completion of the exit slip

In order to prepare for this activity teachers should do the following:

• Have the presentation uploaded and ready to present to the class
• I also suggest posting the presentation on Google Classroom
• Copies of the Prepositions List, glue or tape for securing the list in their notes prepared for distribution (one copy per student)
• Preposition worksheet prepared for distribution (one copy per student)
• Index cards should be accessible for students to complete their exit slip

This lesson will build a foundation for understanding prepositional phrases and their purpose in a sentence.

The prepositional phrase powerpoint presentation used in this lesson came from the following source:

 https://www.polk.k12.ga.us/userfiles/321/Classes/9607/Prepositional%20Phrases.ppt.