Prepositional phrases

General

A complete sentence requires two things: a subject and a predicate. Typically, subjects are nouns while predicates are verbs. A phrase is distinct from a complete sentence in that a phrase isn't a complete thought or sentence because it lacks a subject and predicate. We use phrases in our speech and writing so often that we hardly realize it. Locating the verb of a sentence is a good way to quickly grasp the main idea versus and phrases included.

Phrases help us diversify our communication. Prepositional phrases are very common phrases used to add detail and context in speech and writing. A prepositional phrase starts with a preposition and ends with a noun.

Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.1e

Learning Objective

Students will be able to find and use prepositional phrases in their writing.

Introduction

Students will review simple sentences with the examples, "The dog ran." They will review that every sentence needs at least two things: a subject which is a noun and a predicate which is a verb. They will also review phrases and look at the phrase: "over the fence." They will discuss how it does not contain a subject or a predicate, so it does not form a complete thought. They will then sort groups of words into the categories, 'Phrases' and 'Sentences.' Explain that prepositional phrases are important to learn because they give extra information about things they write about.

Instruction

Students will look at an example of how prepositions can add more information to a simple sentence: "The book fell." "The book fell under the table. Explain that prepositional can also how and when something is done.

Students learn a memory trick using the sentence: "The squirrel ran .......... the trees." Most prepositions will fin in the blank of the sentence. Students will drag different common prepositions to the blank in the sentence. Next, they will read sentences and drag the appropriate prepositions to finish the sentences.

Students will look at how to recognize a prepositional phrase. It starts with a preposition and ends with a noun. Students will look at sentences with prepositional phrases, and underline the preposition and circle the phrase.

Quiz

Students will identify prepositional phrases in 10 sentences.

Closing

Students will recall what they learned:
- Why should you use prepositional phrases?
- How can you identify prepositional phrases?

They will think of five prepositional phrases to complete the sentence: "The happy, playful girl skipped ..........." Lastly, students will sing a song with common prepositions.

Teaching tips

Typically, a prepositional phrase gives information such as:

- Where something is
- How an action was performed
- When something happened

It is not necessary that students memorize every preposition (there are many!). But it helps to recognize common propositions such as:

- To
- At
- On
- For
- With
- From
- Near/Under/Over
- Between/Into/Around