Teaching English learners to use prepositions properly can be a real challenge. It can be difficult to explain why something is “in the water” and not “on the water” if it floats. Second language learners have a great deal of trouble remembering how to use certain prepositions. This game will be an innovative way to teach them how to use them correctly.
Your native English speakers will also enjoy this games too as prepositions and prepositional phrases are key grammar concept in most third and fourth grade classes.
Materials:
- sturdy construction paper
- pencils or markers
- scissors
- sandwich baggies (one per student)
- grid paper with 5 row of 5 squares
- sheet with 25 to 30 blank circles or squares
Directions to Prepositions Bingo
- Make a master call board for yourself on a transparency (or a copy if you have a document reader). Write 40 to 50 phrases such as" ___ the bed", "____ her hand", and" ____ his mother." Try to make sure the phrase can have more than one possible answer.
- Give each student a blank 5x5 playing board (25 squares). Tell the students to choose 25 phrases from the master call board to write on their blank bingo card. Tell them to write neatly and legibly in pen or marker. Now you'll be able to reuse the game with future classes.
- Next, give your students a copy or list of common prepositions. Give them a grid sheet with 25 to 30 blank squares or circles.
- Have them choose at least 25 common prepositions to write on the squares or circles( game tokens).
- Instruct them to cut out the filled tokens. They will place the tokens on the game board to complete a prepositional phrase.
- From your master call board read one phrase at a time. Example: Say, “ __________ the table.”
- The students will choose one preposition token to place with the phrase if it’s written on their board.
- Keep reading the phrases until one student calls “Bingo!”
- Have the student read each phrase with the preposition they used to complete it. If all 5 of the phrases in a row are completed correctly, the student wins!
- In the beginning have prizes on hand like cap erasers, pencils, stickers, or whatever you can use to motivate students to play and win.
*Hint: I recommend copying the playing boards and tokens on construction paper or stock paper for durability. Have your students keep the tokens in their sandwich bags for future use.
Play this game at least once a week for two or three months, or until you feel your students have mastered using prepositions.
Extension Activities for Preposition Bingo
Another way to use this game is to call out phrases from the master call board. Have your students use each phrase in a sentence. Ask for volunteers to read their sentences out loud so you can check for accuracy.
A second extension activity is to have your students use at least ten of the prepositional phrases in their own story. Ask them to be creative in using the phrases to tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end.
Another activity involves dramatic play. Using the Prepositions Game Call Board, ask students to come up and pantomime a prepositional phrase.
Now your students will have practice using prepositional phrases in writing. They will also have lots of fun learning about prepositions and prepositional phrases.
Sharlene Scott - Sharlene is a mom, teacher, wife, and writer. As the mother of two special needs children, Sharlene is committed to leveling the playing ...
Join the Conversation