Building Bridges with Words: Understanding Prepositions

English Language Arts Grades 3rd Grade 10:06 Video
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Lesson Description

This lesson introduces 3rd graders to the concept of prepositions using an engaging video that compares prepositions to bridges. Students will learn what prepositions are, how they connect words in a sentence, and how they can indicate place, time, or movement.

Video Resource

Prepositions for Kids

Homeschool Pop

Duration: 10:06
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Prepositions are connecting words.
  • Prepositions act as bridges between words in a sentence.
  • Prepositions can indicate place, time, or movement.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to define prepositions and explain their function in a sentence.
  • Students will be able to identify prepositions in sentences.
  • Students will be able to use prepositions correctly in their own writing.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students if they know what a preposition is. Write their ideas on the board. Then, explain that they will be watching a video that uses a bridge analogy to help them understand prepositions.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Play the "Prepositions for Kids" video from Homeschool Pop. Encourage students to pay attention to the bridge analogy and the examples of prepositions given.
  • Discussion (8 mins)
    After the video, facilitate a class discussion about prepositions. Ask questions to check for understanding and clarify any confusion.
  • Activity: Preposition Hunt (15 mins)
    Distribute a short paragraph or story to each student. Have them highlight or underline all the prepositions they can find. Then, have them share their findings with a partner or the class.
  • Activity: Sentence Building (15 mins)
    Write a few simple sentences on the board with gaps where prepositions should go (e.g., The cat sat ____ the mat.). Have students brainstorm different prepositions that could fill the gaps and discuss how each preposition changes the meaning of the sentence.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the definition of a preposition and its function. Ask students to provide examples of prepositions they learned. Assign a short writing activity for homework where students need to write a short paragraph including at least five prepositions.

Interactive Exercises

  • Preposition Charades
    Students act out sentences that include prepositions, and the rest of the class guesses the preposition being demonstrated. For example, a student might act out "under the table".
  • Whiteboard Sentences
    Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a whiteboard and a marker. Call out a noun (e.g., "book"). Each group must quickly write a sentence on their whiteboard that includes the given noun and a preposition related to that noun (e.g., "The book is on the shelf.").

Discussion Questions

  • What is a preposition?
  • Why does the video compare prepositions to bridges?
  • Can you give some examples of prepositions that show place?
  • Can you give some examples of prepositions that show time?
  • Can you give some examples of prepositions that show movement?

Skills Developed

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Vocabulary Acquisition
  • Sentence Construction
  • Critical Thinking

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What is a preposition?

Correct Answer: A connecting word

Question 2:

Which of these is a preposition?

Correct Answer: Under

Question 3:

In the sentence 'The bird flew over the house,' what is the preposition?

Correct Answer: Over

Question 4:

Prepositions can tell us about:

Correct Answer: Place, time, and movement

Question 5:

Which preposition best fits in this sentence: 'I put my toys _____ the box.'?

Correct Answer: In

Question 6:

The video compares prepositions to:

Correct Answer: Bridges

Question 7:

Which of these is a preposition that shows time?

Correct Answer: Before

Question 8:

Which of these is a preposition that shows movement?

Correct Answer: To

Question 9:

In the sentence 'We walked along the beach,' what is the preposition?

Correct Answer: Along

Question 10:

Why are prepositions important in a sentence?

Correct Answer: They connect words and ideas.

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

A preposition is a ____________ word.

Correct Answer: connecting

Question 2:

The video says prepositions are like ____________ for words.

Correct Answer: bridges

Question 3:

The cat is sitting __________ the table.

Correct Answer: under

Question 4:

We went __________ the store to buy some milk.

Correct Answer: to

Question 5:

The book is _________ the desk.

Correct Answer: on

Question 6:

I will see you ___________ school.

Correct Answer: at

Question 7:

We walked ________ the park.

Correct Answer: around

Question 8:

The bird flew ___________ the clouds.

Correct Answer: above

Question 9:

The present is ________ you.

Correct Answer: for

Question 10:

He is coming _________ the house.

Correct Answer: into

Educational Standards

3.5.R.2:Students will recognize parts of speech in sentences: concrete, abstract, and possessive nouns; different types of verbs (i.e., action, linking, helping) and their roles in a sentence; the complete subject and complete predicate of a sentence; possessive adjectives; prepositional phrases; possessive pronouns and the nouns they replace; coordinating conjunctions (i.e., for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so); adverbs of frequency (e.g., always, often, never). 3.5.W.2:Students will use nouns, verbs, adjectives, prepositions, and adverbs to add clarity and variety to their writing. 3.2.W.1:Students will routinely use a recursive process to prewrite, organize, and develop narrative, informative, and opinion drafts that display evidence of paragraphing. 3.4.R.5:Students will acquire new grade-level vocabulary, relate new words to prior knowledge, and apply vocabulary in various contexts.

Teaching Materials

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