English · Class 3

Active learning ideas

Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases

Active learning helps Class 3 students grasp prepositions because movement and visuals anchor abstract relationships between words and their meanings. When children physically act out directions or place objects, tiny prepositions become vivid and memorable instead of abstract rules.

• CBSE Learning Outcomes
• CBSE Syllabus for Class 3 English: Understanding and using prepositions of place and time.
• NCERT Marigold Class 3: Using prepositions to show relationships between words in a sentence.
• NCERT Learning Outcomes at Elementary Stage: Uses prepositions like 'in', 'on', 'under' correctly.

• 20–30 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Hundred Languages
• 30 min · Pairs

Treasure Hunt: Preposition Clues

Prepare clue cards with prepositions like 'Find the eraser under the desk'. Hide 10 classroom objects. Pairs follow clues, locate items, and write sentences describing their positions. Discuss findings as a class.

What are some prepositions that tell us where something is, like 'on', 'under', or 'beside'?

Facilitation Tip

During Treasure Hunt, place word cards with prepositions under each clue item so children read the word while locating the object.

What to look for

Provide students with a picture of a classroom scene. Ask them to write three sentences describing the location of different objects using prepositions. For example, 'The book is on the desk'.

• Understand
• Apply
• Create
• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness

Activity 02

• Hundred Languages
• 20 min · Whole Class

Simon Says: Preposition Edition

Call instructions like 'Simon says touch something on the table'. Students move around the room following preposition commands. Switch leaders midway for student-led rounds. Review correct usages at the end.

How does a preposition help us understand where or when something happens?

Facilitation Tip

In Simon Says, pause after each command to let students repeat the phrase aloud before acting, reinforcing both listening and speaking.

What to look for

Read aloud sentences containing prepositions and ask students to raise their hand when they hear a preposition. Then, ask them to identify the preposition and what it shows (place, time, or direction).

• Understand
• Apply
• Create
• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness

Activity 03

• Hundred Languages
• 25 min · Small Groups

Sentence Relay: Build Phrases

Divide class into teams. Provide word cards with prepositions and nouns. First student picks cards to form a prepositional phrase and says a sentence aloud. Next teammate adds to it. Continue until all cards used.

Can you write a sentence using a preposition to describe where your pencil is right now?

Facilitation Tip

For Sentence Relay, number each station so pairs rotate predictably and you can observe how many phrases they construct in the allotted time.

What to look for

Ask students: 'Imagine you are telling a friend how to find your house. What prepositions would you use to describe the turns and landmarks?' Encourage them to share their sentences and explain their preposition choices.

• Understand
• Apply
• Create
• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness

Activity 04

• Hundred Languages
• 25 min · Pairs

Body Positions: Act and Describe

Students pair up and take turns posing with objects using prepositions, like one under a hoop. Partner describes the position in a full sentence. Switch roles and share best descriptions with class.

What are some prepositions that tell us where something is, like 'on', 'under', or 'beside'?

Facilitation Tip

During Body Positions, have students draw stick-figure diagrams of their poses and label each preposition to link movement with written language.

What to look for

Provide students with a picture of a classroom scene. Ask them to write three sentences describing the location of different objects using prepositions. For example, 'The book is on the desk'.

• Understand
• Apply
• Create
• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teach prepositions through real-life contexts students already know, like classroom routines or playground games. Avoid long lectures on grammar rules; instead, use quick, repeated exposure where children hear, say, and use prepositions in multiple settings. Research suggests that spaced, interactive practice improves retention more than isolated worksheets.

Successful learning shows when students can point to an object and correctly describe its position using prepositions like above, below, before, or towards. They should also start building full sentences with prepositional phrases, not just single words.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Simon Says: Preposition Edition, watch for students who only respond to place prepositions like under or on.

  After giving time and direction commands, pause the game to list examples on the board and ask students to categorize each preposition under place, time, or direction headings.

• During Treasure Hunt, watch for students who treat the, a, or my as prepositions when sorting word cards.

  Have students sort cards into two trays labeled 'prepositions' and 'other small words' while justifying each choice in pairs, using the hunt objects as reference points.

• During Body Positions, watch for students who believe phrases like on the chair can stand alone as complete sentences.

  After each pose, ask students to expand the phrase into a full sentence with a subject and verb, showing how prepositional phrases depend on a main clause to make sense.

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Methods used in this brief

• Hundred Languages