PREPOSITIONS

Teacher Guidelines ▶ pages 1 – 4

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Instructional Pages ▶ pages 3 – 4
Activity and Answers Page ▶ pages 5 – 10
Practice and Answers Page ▶ pages 11 – 12
GRADE Homework Page ▶ pages 13 – 14
 Classroom Procedure:
1. Since this lesson covers a range from 1st to 3rd grade, you
may need to introduce, briefly review, or extensively review
nouns and verbs before introducing the prepositions.
2. After review of nouns and verbs, bring your class to the
carpet and have them complete some silly instructions
such as “Stand ON one leg. Put your hands BEHIND your
back. Sit ACROSS from someone who has the same color
shirt as you. Stand in FRONT of a person who has black
shoes. Get BETWEEN two people who have something
red on today. You may add others or change to fit your
class environment/student dress. However, make sure
you emphasize all the prepositions words.
3. Ask students if they know what a preposition is. Take
volunteer responses, but clarify if needed, that prepositions
are relationship words, they show the relationship between
two objects, such as their hands and their back.
4. Teach this tip, “To check if a word is being used as a
preposition, ask yourself “Where is the object in my
sentence? For example, the shoes are on my feet. Where
are my shoes? ON my feet. If you give an answer that
describes a location, that is a preposition.”
5. Introduce Preppy the Penguin and Her Igloo. (Print these
out or draw your own based on this example. Cut them
out ahead of time, and put tape on one side.) Say, “This is
Preppy the Penguin. She and her igloo are going to help
us remember prepositions equal locations.” Place Preppy
above the igloo. Ask “Where is Preppy?” The students
should answer on top or above. Then place her below the
igloo. Repeat in various locations, inside, outside, above,
under, over, etc.
*Lessons are aligned to meet the education objectives and goals of
most states. For more information on your state objectives, contact
your local Board of Education or Department of Education in your state.
Approximate Grade Level: 1-3
Objectives: The students will accurately identify
prepositions in text. Students will correctly and
independently use prepositions in writing.
State Educational Standards*
LB.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1.I
Use frequently occurring prepositions
(e.g., during, beyond, toward).
Class Sessions (30 minutes):
2-3 class sessions, depending on ability
level of students and amount of time allowed
for student discussion, clarification, review,
etc.
Teaching Materials/Worksheets: Preposition
passages, copies of worksheets, classroom
books for preposition hunt, chart paper or
poster board, tape, art supplies, markers,
whiteboard, dry erase markers, included
content, Activity pages (2), Practice page,
Homework page
Student Supplies: Handouts, paper, writing
utensils, art supplies, reading materials online
or in print.
Prepare Ahead of Time: Make copies of
handouts and prepare visuals, supply reading
materials for word hunt.
Options for Lesson: Day one: Students
will review verbs and nouns, and move into
prepositions. Introduce, define, and practice
with Preppy the Penguin. Day two: Students
independently practice locating prepositions in a
sample passage, and text. Day three: Students
review prepositions and include them in their
own writing.
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6. Provide every student with a copy of the COmmon Prepositions table below to place in their grammar
notebooks or English folders. For now, they can keep it out, and ask students to listen to the sample
passage you are about to read. They are going to use this table double check as they listen for prepositions.
Common Prepositions

aboard before concerning despite except following

about behind considering down excepting for
above below during excluding from
across beneath except
after beside
against besides
along between
amid beyond
among but
anti by
around
as
at

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 in like minus near of past
inside off per
into on plus
onto
opposite
outside
over
regarding save than under versus with
round since through underneath via within
to unlike without
toward until
towards up
upon
7. Have students work with a partner to compare lists of prepositions they heard, then read the example
passage again, line by line, and stop after each to hear what students found. Create a written list on the
board to verify. You can check off items in the passage as you go.
8. Students will complete the independent activity page where they locate the preposition in each sentence.
9. Assign a word hunt. Have students choose a book from the classroom library and read a few pages. Using
a sticky note, index card, or sheet of paper, have them identify the prepositions they find, double checking
that the word is used as a preposition by asking the “Where is the object?” question. Make sure the book
they are reading is on an independent level so that students are successful.
10. Students will have a quick check in with you as you walk around during the word hunt time to make
sure they are experiencing a high degree of success (⅘) examples the select should be correct uses of
a preposition.
11. Assign the second activity page, where students will work independently to create sentences using
prepositions from a word bank provided.
12. Assign the practice page which combines identifying and independently creating sentences without the
word bank. You can use this as a formative assessment before moving onto the next grammar topic.
13. Homework page can be assigned before or after the practice page.

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 Teacher Notes
Prepositions are commonly misidentified and are often overlooked. By introducing this knowledge early and
providing repetition will make them writers with more command of the language and better grammar. This will
provide a useful foundation as writing demands and grammatical expectations increase in the upper grades.

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 Olympic Dreams
By Mary Culler
Remy walked across the bustling auditorium. Her feet made a quiet slapping sound on the thick blue
mats. She stopped and gave a bow in front of the judges. Turning, she waved around the gymnasium, smiling
at all the people who had come to cheer for her. Finally, her coach nodded and she hurried to stand beside
him.
“Are you nervous?”
“I have a team of butterflies in my stomach and sawdust in my mouth,” Remy hissed.
Her coach placed his arm around her shoulders. “I know you can do this! When you are out on the
floor, all eyes will be on you. When you take the vault, you are a star that shines above the earth for a split
second. There are thousands of kids who wish they could fly through the air like you, but you actually get to
do it! Don’t forget, you can sink under the pressure, or you bounce above it all. What is your choice?”
“I’m going to fly, Coach. Above the mat, beyond my fears, and into my dreams.”
“That’s my Remy. Our country will be proud to have you standing under our flag at the medaling
ceremony. But first, get out there and show the judges why you deserve the gold.”
Remy nodded and felt the butterflies in her stomach turn into wings on her feet. “I’m ready,” she smiled,
and headed off to make her dreams come true.

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 Olympic Dreams
By Mary Culler
(Prepositions in bold)
Remy walked across the bustling auditorium. Her feet made a quiet slapping sound on the thick
blue mats. She stopped and gave a bow in front of the judges. Turning, she waved around the gymnasium,
smiling at all the people who had come to cheer for her. Finally, her coach nodded and she hurried to stand
beside him.
“Are you nervous?”
“I have a team of butterflies in my stomach and sawdust in my mouth,” Remy hissed.
Her coach placed his arm around her shoulders. “I know you can do this! When you are out on the
floor, all eyes will be on you. When you take the vault, you are a star that shines above the earth for a split
second. There are thousands of kids who wish they could fly through the air like you, but you actually get
to do it! Don’t forget, you can sink under the pressure, or you bounce above it all. What is your choice?”
“I’m going to fly, Coach. Above the mat, beyond my fears, and into my dreams.”
“That’s my Remy. Our country will be proud to have you standing under our flag at the medaling
ceremony. But first, get out there and show the judges why you deserve the gold.”
Remy nodded and felt the butterflies in her stomach turn into wings on her feet. “I’m ready,” she
smiled, and headed off to make her dreams come true.

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 Activity Name __________________________ Date _________

Identify the Prepositions

Directions: Read the story about Emily and her brother Joey. In each sentence, circle the prepositions.
There may be more than one per sentence.
1. Emily headed through the flooded tunnel.
2. She soon realized that she was under the old bus station.
3. Strange noises were all around her, and she felt her heart pound in her chest.
4. Emily looked across the tunnel and saw a tiny light.
5. She climbed over rocks and around floating logs until she reached the opening.
6. “Wait for me!” Joey, Emily’s brother was following behind her.
7. Emily put her arm back and pulled him beside her.
8. “I thought we were going to be stuck down here forever,” Joey said.
9. “We have to get past the barrels in the front of the tunnel, then we’re free.”
10. Emily and Joey pushed the obstacles before them away, finally safe.

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 Activity Answer Key
Name __________________________ (may vary)
Date _________

Identify the Prepositions

Directions: Read the story about Emily and her brother Joey. In each sentence, circle the prepositions.
There may be more than one per sentence.
1. Emily headed through the flooded tunnel.
2. She soon realized that she was under the old bus station.
3. Strange noises were all around her, and she felt her heart pound in her chest.
4. Emily looked across the tunnel and saw a tiny light.
5. She climbed over rocks and around floating logs until she reached the opening.
6. “Wait for me!” Joey, Emily’s brother was following behind her.
7. Emily put her arm back and pulled him beside her.
8. “I thought we were going to be stuck down here forever,” Joey said.
9. “We have to get past the barrels in the front of the tunnel, then we’re free.”
10. Emily and Joey pushed the obstacles before them away, finally safe.

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 Activity Name __________________________ Date _________

Create Your Own Sentences

Directions: Using the word bank of prepositions provided, create ten complete sentences, using at least
one per sentence.
Word Bank:

Under Around Over Inside Across Through Between Out Beside Ahead
1. _______________________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________________________

4. _______________________________________________________________________

5. _______________________________________________________________________

6. _______________________________________________________________________

7. _______________________________________________________________________

8. _______________________________________________________________________

9. _______________________________________________________________________

10. _______________________________________________________________________

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 Activity Answer Key
Name __________________________ (may vary)
Date _________

Create Your Own Sentences

Directions: Using the word bank of prepositions provided, create ten complete sentences, using at least
one per sentence.
Word Bank:

Under Around Over Inside Across Through Between Out Beside Ahead
Answers will vary. Make sure one of the prepositions included is used in every sentence.
1. _______________________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________________________

4. _______________________________________________________________________

5. _______________________________________________________________________

6. _______________________________________________________________________

7. _______________________________________________________________________

8. _______________________________________________________________________

9. _______________________________________________________________________

10. _______________________________________________________________________

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 Practice Name __________________________ Date _________

Give Preppy an Adventure

Preppy the Penguin loves new adventures. In the first half of this page, we’ll hear about her favorite things,
and in the second half, create an adventure for Preppy.
Directions: In the first five sentences, circle the preposition. In the second half, write five sentences about
Preppy having a great adventure, and use at least one preposition per sentence.
Preppy’s Favorite Things:
1. Preppy loves to go sledding down snowy hills.
2. Preppy’s favorite food is fish pulled straight out of the icy water.
3. Preppy loves curling up in front of the fire with yummy hot cocoa.
4. Preppy likes strolling through the woods when it is is sunny.
5. Late at night, Preppy likes to snuggle under her fluffy quilt.

Create an adventure for Preppy! Now that you know what Preppy enjoys, help her have a fun day out. Write
five sentences, each one using at least one preposition.

1. _______________________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________________

3._______________________________________________________________________

4. _______________________________________________________________________

5. _______________________________________________________________________

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 Practice Answer Key
Name __________________________ Date _________

Give Preppy an Adventure

Preppy the Penguin loves new adventures. In the first half of this page, we’ll hear about her favorite things,
and in the second half, create an adventure for Preppy.

Directions: In the first five sentences, circle the preposition. In the second half, write five sentences about
Preppy having a great adventure, and use at least one preposition per sentence.

Preppy’s Favorite Things:

1. Preppy loves to go sledding down snowy hills.
2. Preppy’s favorite food is fish pulled straight out of the icy water.
3. Preppy loves curling up in front of the fire with yummy hot cocoa.
4. Preppy likes strolling through the woods when it is is sunny.
5. Late at night, Preppy likes to snuggle under her fluffy quilt.
Create an adventure for Preppy! Now that you know what Preppy enjoys, help her have a fun day out. Write
five sentences, each one using at least one preposition. Answers will vary, but should all include a
minimum of one preposition per sentence. If possible, sentences should reflect something of Preppy’s
personality, based on the beginning exercise.
1. _______________________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________________

3._______________________________________________________________________

4. _______________________________________________________________________

5. _______________________________________________________________________

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 Homework Name __________________________ Date _________

Prepositions Identification and Purpose

Directions: Answer the following questions about prepositions.
1. Prepositions show the ______________________ between two objects.
2. Prepositions answer the question “________________ is the object?”
3. What is the preposition in the sentence, “Robert’s book was between the two desks”? ________________

Directions: Read the paragraph and underline the prepositions.

Eliot was hungry. He decided to go into the kitchen and make a snack. As his stomach rumbled, he looked
inside the cupboard. He looked under shelves and over boxes. Nothing looked yummy. Eliot grabbed a
cookbook from the shelf and looked through it. In between the cover and the index, there was a recipe from
his grandma. “Homemade chocolate cream pie! Mom would be upset if I tried to make it by myself. It will
have to be a secret between me and this little piece of paper.” Eliot grabbed the recipe.
Soon the kitchen looked like it was under attack. Eggshells were all over the sink. Flour was scattered through
the kitchen. Milk splashed across the walls, and chocolate dripped down the counters.
“Eliot!” His mother gasped when she slid into the kitchen. “What’s on the floor? What’s in the oven? What
have you been doing before starting your homework?”
Eliot smiled nervously. “I guess the secret’s out,” he said sheepishly. “I have a surprise for you, from Grandma
and me!”

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 Homework Answer Key
Name __________________________ Date _________

Prepositions Identification and Purpose

Directions: Answer the following questions about prepositions.

1.Prepositions show the ______________________ between two objects. Relationship

2. Prepositions answer the question “________________ is the object?” Where
3. What is the preposition in the sentence, “Robert’s book was between the two desks”? ________________
between

Directions: Read the paragraph and underline the prepositions.

Eliot was hungry. He decided to go into the kitchen and make a snack. As his stomach rumbled, he looked
inside the cupboard. He looked under shelves and over boxes. Nothing looked yummy. Eliot grabbed a
cookbook from the shelf and looked through it. In between the cover and the index, there was a recipe
from his grandma. “Homemade chocolate cream pie! Mom would be upset if I tried to make it by myself. It
will have to be a secret between me and this little piece of paper.” Eliot grabbed the recipe.
Soon the kitchen looked like it was under attack. Eggshells were all over the sink. Flour was scattered
through the kitchen. Milk splashed across the walls, and chocolate dripped down the counters.
“Eliot!” His mother gasped when she slid into the kitchen. “What’s on the floor? What’s in the oven? What
have you been doing before starting your homework?”
Eliot smiled nervously. “I guess the secret’s out,” he said sheepishly. “I have a surprise for you, from Grandma
and me!”

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