English · Year 2 · Language Mechanics and Sentence Building · Term 3

Prepositions: Showing Position

Learning about prepositions and how they show the relationship between words, often indicating position or direction.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9E2LA05

About This Topic

Prepositions such as under, on, behind, beside, and in front of show the position of one object relative to another in a sentence. Year 2 students identify these words to describe locations clearly, for example, 'The cat sits under the chair.' This builds their ability to create detailed sentences about everyday objects and scenes they see around them.

Aligned with AC9E2LA05, this topic helps students understand how prepositions express relationships between words, strengthening grammar knowledge and descriptive writing. It connects to oral language by encouraging students to use positional terms when giving directions or recounting events. Practice involves reading simple texts, highlighting prepositions, and composing sentences with teacher-guided prompts.

Active learning benefits this topic greatly. Students manipulate toys or classroom items to demonstrate positions, turning grammar into physical exploration. Movement-based games reinforce concepts kinesthetically, while partner descriptions build confidence in using prepositions accurately. These approaches make lessons interactive, helping all learners, including those needing visual or tactile support, grasp and retain the skill.

Key Questions

1. Can you find the word in the sentence that tells us where something is, like 'under', 'on', or 'behind'?
2. How does a preposition help us describe where things are?
3. Can you write a sentence using a preposition to describe where your bag or chair is?

Learning Objectives

• Identify prepositions that indicate position in a given sentence.
• Explain how a preposition clarifies the location of one noun or pronoun in relation to another.
• Create sentences using prepositions to accurately describe the position of objects.
• Classify sentences based on the prepositional phrase used to show position.

Before You Start

Identifying Nouns and Verbs

Why: Students need to be able to identify the main objects (nouns) in a sentence to understand what their positions are being described.

Basic Sentence Structure

Why: Understanding how words work together in a sentence is foundational to grasping how prepositions add specific detail about location.

Key Vocabulary

preposition	A word that connects a noun or pronoun to another word in a sentence, often showing location, direction, or time. Examples include 'on', 'under', 'behind'.
position	The specific place where something is located. Prepositions help us describe this exact spot.
under	In or to a position lower than or directly below something else. For example, 'The ball is under the table'.
on	In contact with and supported by the surface of something. For example, 'The book is on the shelf'.
behind	At or to the far side of something, typically separated from it by the width of the object. For example, 'The tree is behind the house'.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Prepositions can be any small word near nouns.

What to Teach Instead

Prepositions specifically show position or direction, like 'on' or 'next to,' not words like 'the' or 'and.' Hands-on hunts where students test words in sentences clarify this, as they physically place objects and see which words fit best.

Common Misconception

Position does not change sentence meaning.

What to Teach Instead

Changing a preposition alters the description entirely, such as 'ball on table' versus 'ball under table.' Partner building activities reveal this through trial and error, as mismatched positions prompt discussion and correction.

Common Misconception

Prepositions always come before the object.

What to Teach Instead

They link nouns or pronouns to show relationships, typically followed by the object. Acting out sentences in whole-class games helps students sequence words correctly through repetition and peer feedback.

Active Learning Ideas

Scavenger Hunt: Position Hunt

Provide cards with prepositions like 'under' or 'behind.' In small groups, students search the classroom or playground for objects matching each preposition, take photos or draw them, then write sentences describing their finds. Share one example per group with the class.

30 min·Small Groups

Simon Says: Preposition Commands

Call out commands using prepositions, such as 'Simon says put your hand under your chin.' Students follow only if 'Simon says' is included. Switch leaders midway so students create their own preposition commands for peers.

20 min·Whole Class

Toy Scene Builder: Describe and Build

In pairs, one student describes a scene using prepositions, like 'Put the car behind the house.' The partner builds it with blocks or toys without peeking. Switch roles and discuss accurate preposition use.

25 min·Pairs

Preposition Mapping: Classroom Map

Individually, students draw a map of the classroom and label object positions with prepositions, such as 'clock above door.' Pairs compare maps and add missing details.

15 min·Individual

Real-World Connections

• Cartographers use prepositions when creating maps to describe the location of landmarks, cities, and geographical features relative to each other, ensuring clear navigation for travelers.
• Construction workers use prepositions daily to understand blueprints and communicate precise placement of materials, like 'the beam goes under the support' or 'the window is beside the door'.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Give students a picture of a classroom scene with several objects. Ask them to write two sentences describing the position of two different objects using prepositions like 'on', 'under', 'beside', or 'behind'.

Quick Check

Read aloud sentences that contain prepositions of position. Ask students to hold up a green card if the preposition correctly describes the position and a red card if it does not. For example: 'The cat is on the mat.' (Correct) vs. 'The cat is under the mat.' (Incorrect if the cat is on it).

Discussion Prompt

Ask students: 'Imagine you are telling a friend where to find your favorite toy. Which prepositions could you use to help them find it? Give an example sentence using one of those prepositions.'

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you teach prepositions showing position in Year 2?

Start with familiar objects and model sentences like 'The book is on the shelf.' Use visuals and real items for students to point and repeat. Progress to students creating sentences about their own spaces, with peer sharing to build confidence and accuracy.

What are engaging activities for preposition position lessons?

Incorporate movement with Simon Says using prepositions or scavenger hunts around the room. Pair building with toys where one describes positions for the other to recreate. These keep energy high while practicing identification and use in context.

How does active learning help teach prepositions?

Active learning transforms prepositions from abstract rules into tangible actions. Students physically demonstrate 'under' by crawling beneath desks or arranging blocks 'beside' each other. This kinesthetic reinforcement aids memory, especially for diverse learners, and group tasks encourage verbal practice, leading to fluent use in writing.

How does this link to AC9E2LA05?

AC9E2LA05 requires understanding prepositions' role in showing word relationships. Lessons focus on position prepositions through explicit teaching, guided practice, and application in sentences. Assessment via student writing and oral descriptions confirms they recognise and use these effectively in context.