Mastering the Use of Prepositions in JSS 3 English Grammar

Lesson Plan: Prepositions

Subject: English Grammar

Class: JSS 3

Term: First Term

Week: 1

Age: 13-14 years

Duration: 40 minutes

Topic: Prepositions

Sub-topic: Understanding the Use of Prepositions in Sentences

Behavioural Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define prepositions.
2. Identify prepositions in sentences.
3. Use prepositions correctly to show relationships between words.

Keywords

• Preposition
• Relationship
• Prepositional object
• Noun
• Pronoun

Set Induction

The teacher shows a picture of objects placed around a table and asks students to describe their positions using prepositions such as “on,” “under,” and “behind.”

Entry Behaviour

Students are familiar with the basic structure of sentences but may not know the specific function of prepositions in connecting words.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Picture of a room with objects placed in different positions
• Flashcards with prepositions
• Whiteboard and marker

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

The teacher reminds the students of basic sentence structures and asks them to recall the use of nouns and pronouns in sentences.

Embedded Core Skills

• Critical thinking
• Grammar
• Sentence structure development
• Language development

Learning Materials

1. Flashcards with common prepositions
2. Pictures depicting objects with different spatial relationships

Reference Books

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Junior Secondary School English Grammar Textbooks

Instructional Materials

• Flashcards
• Pictures of objects in different locations

Content

Explanation of Prepositions

1. Definition of a Preposition:
   A preposition is a word that expresses the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the sentence. It shows the position or direction of the noun/pronoun in relation to other elements in the sentence.
   • Example: “The flowers on the table are beautiful.”
2. Common Prepositions:
   Some common prepositions include:
   • On, In, Under, By, Across, Behind, Between, Before, After, Beside, Around, Near, From, Over, etc.
3. Examples of Sentences Using Prepositions:
   • The boys in the class are brilliant.
   • The car sped round the corner.
   • The cup is under the table.
   • He sat beside me during the event.
4. How Prepositions Work in Sentences:
   Prepositions are typically followed by a noun or pronoun, which is called the prepositional object. The preposition shows how this noun or pronoun is related to another word in the sentence.
   • Example: “She sat between her friends.”

Examples of Prepositions in Use

• The flowers on the table are red.
• We walked across the street.
• The book is under the bed.
• The bus stops beside the post office.
• The dog ran around the park.
• He stood behind the tree.

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions

Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence.

1. The cat is ___ the chair. (under, in, on)
2. She sat ___ her friend during lunch. (behind, beside, under)
3. The plane flew ___ the clouds. (above, under, beside)
4. The keys are ___ the table. (on, beside, in)
5. He walked ___ the door. (toward, behind, on)
6. They live ___ the corner. (around, beside, across)
7. We are meeting ___ noon. (after, before, during)
8. The car drove ___ the bridge. (over, behind, on)
9. The shop is ___ the park. (near, under, beside)
10. She placed the vase ___ the shelf. (on, beside, in)
11. The students arrived ___ the teacher. (before, behind, during)
12. The box is ___ the chair. (under, beside, in)
13. He ran ___ the street to catch the bus. (across, in, behind)
14. The children are playing ___ the playground. (in, under, beside)
15. The bag is ___ the table. (on, under, across)

FAQs with Answers

1. What is a preposition?
   A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the sentence.
2. Where do prepositions usually appear in a sentence?
   Prepositions typically appear before the noun or pronoun they relate to.
3. Give three examples of prepositions.
   Examples include: on, under, beside.
4. What does the preposition “behind” show?
   It shows that something is at the back of another object.
5. What is the prepositional object?
   It is the noun or pronoun that follows a preposition.
6. Can a preposition come at the end of a sentence?
   Yes, in some sentences, prepositions can come at the end, but this is less formal.
   Example: “What are you looking for?”
7. What does the preposition “across” indicate?
   It shows movement from one side to another.
8. Give an example of a sentence using the preposition “under.”
   Example: “The cat is under the bed.”
9. What is the prepositional object in this sentence: “The book is on the table”?
   The prepositional object is “the table.”
10. How do prepositions help in sentence construction?
    Prepositions help clarify the position, direction, or relationship between elements in a sentence.
11. Is the word “in” a preposition?
    Yes, “in” is a preposition.
12. Can a preposition show direction?
    Yes, prepositions like “toward” and “across” can show direction.
13. Is “beside” a preposition of place or time?
    “Beside” is a preposition of place.
14. What is the preposition in this sentence: “She walked through the park”?
    The preposition is “through.”
15. Can a sentence have more than one preposition?
    Yes, a sentence can have more than one preposition, like “She walked through the park and over the bridge.”

Presentation Steps

Step 1: The teacher revises the basic structure of sentences and the function of nouns and pronouns.
Step 2: The teacher introduces the concept of prepositions, explaining how they connect nouns or pronouns to other words. Examples are provided using familiar objects.
Step 3: The teacher asks students to identify prepositions in sentences and create their own sentences using prepositions of place and direction.

Teacher’s Activities

• Explain the function of prepositions with examples.
• Show pictures of objects and ask students to describe their position using prepositions.
• Provide exercises for students to practice identifying and using prepositions.

Learners’ Activities

• Identify prepositions in given sentences.
• Use prepositions in their own sentences.
• Describe the location of objects in pictures using prepositions.

Assessment

1. Define a preposition.
2. Identify the preposition in this sentence: “The cat is on the chair.”
3. Write a sentence using the preposition “under.”
4. Write a sentence using the preposition “beside.”

Evaluation Questions

1. What is a preposition?
2. Give two examples of prepositions of place.
3. Identify the preposition in this sentence: “The dog ran behind the house.”
4. Write a sentence using the preposition “across.”
5. What is the preposition in this sentence: “The book is on the table”?
6. Use the preposition “in” in a sentence.
7. What does the preposition “beside” indicate?
8. Write a sentence with the preposition “before.”
9. What is the prepositional object in this sentence: “He sat on the chair”?
10. Give two examples of prepositions of direction.

Conclusion

The teacher reviews the lesson by walking around the classroom, checking students’ sentences, and providing necessary feedback and corrections on the use of prepositions.