by Donna | Jan 31, 2011
For older students, those who are not as dependent on object lessons with concrete objects (such as the bathroom tissue tube and Birdie from the previous few posts), we use two “Preposition-Check Sentences” to teach prepositions. The first one, which we will focus on today, involves physical space (Think “Prepositions show position”). The latter, which we will focus on in a couple of days, involves time (another use for prepositions).
Our first “Preposition-Check Sentence” goes like this:
The angel flew ___________________ the clouds.
Similar to the bathroom tissue tube and Birdie (without the physical objects in hand), this check sentence actually “fits” with about ninety percent of the “position” prepositions. It is a valuable tool for learning and memorizing dozens of prepositions. So, which prepositions fit into our “angel” sentence?
Try the following in the Preposition-Check Sentence, and you will see how simple learning prepositions can be.
The angel flew aboard the clouds.
The angel flew about the clouds.
The angel flew above the clouds.
The angel flew across the clouds.
The angel flew across from the clouds.
See how many prepositions you can think of with this “Preposition-Check Sentence.” Answers will follow tomorrow! Smile…
by Donna | Jan 28, 2011
Yesterday I introduced our PPP (“Preposition Practice Pal”) and how we teach elementary and middle school students to recognize “position” prepositions. Today, see for yourself all of the many prepositions that will work with the PPP!
Birdie flew _________________ the tube.
Aboard the tube, about the tube, above the tube, around the tube….etc.
Aboard
About
Above
Across
Across from
After
Against
Ahead of
Along
Alongside
Alongside of
Along with
Amid
Amidst
Among
Amongst
Around
Aside
Aside of
Aside from
Astride
Atop
Atop of
Away from
Before
Behind
Below
Beneath
Beside
Beside of
Between
Betwixt
Beyond
By
Down
Following
From
In
Inside of
In between
In place of
In front of
In addition to
In back of
Into
Like
Minus
Near
Next to
Off
Off of
Off the top of
On
Onto
On top
On top of
Opposite
Opposite of
Out
Out of
Outside
Outside of
Over
Past
Round
Through
Throughout
To
Towards
Under
Underneath
by Donna | Jan 27, 2011
When it comes to little kids (second through fifth grade) learning prepositions, I have found that it is helpful to teach them prepositions in a way that emphasizes what prepositions are for and how they are used. (Again, memorizing is fine, but if they can learn them and at the same time learn about using them, that’s even better!)
One way that we begin teaching kids prepositions is by teaching them how to “show position”—since that is what prepositions do.
We begin with the concept that “prepositions show position”! Once they learn that rhyme, we have them practice prepositions with a “Preposition Practice Pal” (PPP) and a bathroom tissue tube.
A PPP can be an army man, Polly Pocket, Lego guy, or any little toy animal or person. The student uses that little PPP and the bathroom tissue tube to show position of the PPP to the tube—and thus to practice prepositions.
Consider if my PPP were Birdie (though it could be Polly, Kitty, Joe, Superman, etc.), and I held it up in relation to my bathroom tissue tube. See how many prepositions fit in the sentence using the two objects:
Birdie flew _________________ the tube.
Practice prepositions with the PPP and bathroom tissue tube—and see how many prepositions you can name. Tomorrow I will give you a list of prepositions that fit with Birdie! J
Note: If you are stuck, think Birdie flew above the tube; Birdie flew around the tube…get creative with your PPP and tube! It helps to actually move your PPP in positions with your bathroom tissue tube.
by Donna | Jan 26, 2011
Today I will give you a preposition list. Many grammar and language arts programs have students memorize prepositions in alphabetical order, assuming this is the most advantageous way to learn them. I am not opposed to that entirely; however, whenever possible, I prefer memorization techniques in grammar that will help the student also know the purpose for the word or part of speech. (This isn’t always possible, I know. But with prepositions there are some simple memory tricks that can help students not only learn prepositions but also learn the reason for them/how to use them. Those will follow in the coming days.)
Today I will give you an incomplete preposition list (since there is no such thing as a complete preposition list!). In days to come, these will be divided to aid in retention.
Aboard
About
Above
Across
Across from
After
Against
Ahead
Ahead of
Along
Alongside
Alongside of
Along with
Amid
Amidst
Among
Amongst
Anti
Around
As
Aside
Aside of
Aside from
Astride
At
Atop
Atop of
Away
Away from
Barring
Before
Behind
Below
Beneath
Beside
Beside of
Besides
Between
Betwixt
Beyond
By
By means of
Circa
Concerning
Considering
Despite
Down
During
Except
Except for
Excepting
Excluding
Following
For
From
In
Inside of
In between
In spite of
In regards to
In case of
In place of
In front of
In addition to
In back of
In accordance with
Into
Like
Minus
Near
Next to
Notwithstanding
Of
Off
Off of
Off the top of
On
Onto
On top
On top of
Opposite
Opposite of
Out
Out of
Outside
Outside of
Over
Past
Per
Plus
Regarding
Round
Save
Since
Than
Through
Throughout
Till
To
Towards
Under
Underneath
Unlike
Until
Unto
Up
Up to
Upon
Versus
Via
With
With regards to
Within
Without
See the last two days of posts to learn more about why someone should learn prepositions!
