Where is the Toy? Learning Position Words!

English Language Arts Grades Pre-K 1:10 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's learn about words that tell us where things are! We'll use toys and simple objects to practice 'on,' 'beside,' 'in front,' 'under,' 'behind,' and 'inside.'

Video Resource

Position Words

Teach for Life

Duration: 1:10
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Position words (prepositions)
  • Spatial relationships
  • Following directions

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify and use the position words: on, beside, in front, under, behind, and inside.
  • Students will be able to follow one-step directions involving position words.
  • Students will be able to describe the location of an object using position words.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by gathering the children and showing them the glass and toy (e.g., an elephant) from the video. Ask them what they know about these objects. Tell them that today they are going to learn about words that tell where the elephant is.
  • Video Viewing (3 mins)
    Play the 'Position Words' video from Teach for Life. After watching, ask the children what they saw in the video. Remind them that these words tell where things are.
  • Guided Practice (10 mins)
    Use the glass and the toy to demonstrate each position word. Say, 'Look, the elephant is ON the glass!' clearly emphasizing the position word. Repeat with 'beside,' 'in front,' 'under,' 'behind,' and 'inside.' Encourage children to repeat the phrases after you.
  • Independent Practice (10 mins)
    Give each child a small toy and a cup (or similar object). Give them one-step directions like, 'Put your toy UNDER the cup.' Observe and assist as needed. Encourage children to give each other directions as well.
  • Wrap-up (2 mins)
    Review the position words learned. Ask children to recall the words. Praise their effort and participation.

Interactive Exercises

  • Simon Says: Position Words
    Play a game of 'Simon Says' using the position words. For example, 'Simon says, put your toy BEHIND your head!'
  • Position Word Hunt
    Hide a small object in the classroom. Give the children clues using position words to help them find it. For example, 'It's BESIDE the bookshelf,' or 'It's UNDER a chair.'

Discussion Questions

  • Where is the elephant in the video?
  • Can you think of other things we can put ON something?

Skills Developed

  • Listening skills
  • Following directions
  • Vocabulary development
  • Spatial awareness

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Where is the toy, if it is ON the table?

Correct Answer: Sitting on top of the table

Question 2:

Where is the toy, if it is UNDER the chair?

Correct Answer: Below the chair

Question 3:

Where is the toy, if it is BESIDE the box?

Correct Answer: Next to the box

Question 4:

Where is the toy, if it is IN FRONT of you?

Correct Answer: You can see its face

Question 5:

Where is the toy, if it is BEHIND the tree?

Correct Answer: Hidden by the tree

Question 6:

Where is the toy, if it is INSIDE the bag?

Correct Answer: You cannot see it

Question 7:

If I say 'Put the toy ON the book', what should you do?

Correct Answer: Put the toy on top of the book

Question 8:

If I say 'Put the toy BESIDE the cup', what should you do?

Correct Answer: Put the toy next to the cup

Question 9:

Which word tells you where something is?

Correct Answer: Under

Question 10:

If the cat is sleeping _____ the table, where is it?

Correct Answer: Under

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The toy is ______ the box. (It's inside!)

Correct Answer: inside

Question 2:

The ball is ______ the table. (It's on top!)

Correct Answer: on

Question 3:

The teddy bear is ______ the chair. (It is underneath!)

Correct Answer: under

Question 4:

The car is ______ the house. (You can see its front!).

Correct Answer: in front of

Question 5:

The airplane is ______ the clouds. (You cannot see it!).

Correct Answer: behind

Question 6:

I can put my toys _________ the toy box when I am done playing with them.

Correct Answer: inside

Question 7:

The dog is sitting __________ me.

Correct Answer: beside

Question 8:

The sun is __________ the clouds in the sky.

Correct Answer: behind

Question 9:

My feet are __________ my desk right now.

Correct Answer: under

Question 10:

The picture is __________ the wall.

Correct Answer: on

Educational Standards

PK.1.L.2:Students will follow simple one-step oral directions. PK.4.R.3:Students will begin to acquire new vocabulary and relate new words to prior knowledge. PK.5.R.2:Students will hear different parts of speech through conversations, read-alouds, and interactive reading: concrete objects as persons, places, or things (i.e., nouns), words as actions (i.e., verbs), color adjectives, spatial and time relationships such as up, down, before, and after.

Teaching Materials

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