Overview

This 60-minute session is designed for Year 3 students (ages 7–8) and is Lesson 3 of 5 in the unit Language Through History. The focus is on recognising, identifying, and using prepositional phrases in compound sentences. The lesson uses engaging texts about the Iron Age to inspire learning and contextual understanding.

Aligned with the National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2, English, this lesson develops pupils’ skills in grammar and punctuation, specifically consolidating knowledge of prepositions and sentence structure. It also integrates historical curiosity by connecting grammar practice to an authentic topic.

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National Curriculum Links

English: Year 3 - Programme of Study:

Grammatical Terminology for Pupils:

• preposition
• prepositional phrase
• compound sentence

Pupils should be taught to develop their understanding of the concepts set out in English Appendix 2 by extending their knowledge of:

• The grammatical terms in English Appendix 2, including preposition and prepositional phrases.
• Understand how to join clauses with conjunctions to form compound sentences.
• Recognise and use prepositional phrases to add detail and clarity in writing.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, all students will:

• Identify prepositional phrases within compound sentences in context.
• Understand the role and function of prepositional phrases in adding detail, time, place, and manner.
• Construct their own compound sentences correctly including prepositional phrases.

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Success Criteria

Pupils can:

• Locate and underline prepositional phrases in historical-themed texts.
• Explain the function of the identified prepositional phrases.
• Write compound sentences using appropriate prepositional phrases that enhance meaning.

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Resources Needed

• Printed extracts about the Iron Age (2 paragraphs, approx. 100-120 words total), designed with compound sentences including prepositional phrases (e.g., "The Iron Age settlement was located near the river, and the people lived in roundhouses made of wood and clay.")
• Whiteboard and markers
• Individual mini whiteboards and pens
• Preposition and conjunction cards
• Sentence strips for group activity
• Writing books or lined paper
• Visual aids: chart with common prepositions (at, in, on, near, under, beside, during, after, before, with, etc.)

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter (10 minutes)

Engagement and Recap

• Begin with a quick recall of lesson 1 & 2 vocabulary and sentence structures from the Language Through History unit.
• Introduce today’s focus: “Today, we will become detectives and uncover special parts of sentences called prepositional phrases in stories about the Iron Age!”
• Show a simple sentence on the board: “The warrior stood on the hill and watched the battle.”
• Ask: “Can you spot the prepositional phrase?” (Answer: 'on the hill')
• Briefly discuss what a prepositional phrase tells us (place, time, relationship).

2. Main Teaching (15 minutes)

Exploring Prepositional Phrases in Compound Sentences

• Distribute Iron Age text extracts.
• Read aloud together, highlighting compound sentences joined by conjunctions (and, but, or).
• Ask students to work in pairs to underline the prepositional phrases. Provide coloured pens: blue underline for prepositional phrases, green underline for conjunctions joining clauses.
• Use the whiteboard to model one or two examples, breaking down the sentence structure and identifying phrases.
• Discuss: How does the prepositional phrase help us understand more about where or when something happened?

3. Guided Practice (15 minutes)

Sentence Construction Challenge

• Introduce preposition and conjunction cards; pupils work in small groups (4-5) to form compound sentences on sentence strips.
• Rules: They must include at least one prepositional phrase and use a conjunction to join two clauses.
• Example: “The Iron Age hut was made of stone, and the villagers gathered by the fire.”
• Groups share their creative compound sentences with the class; teacher highlights effective use of prepositional phrases.

4. Independent Application (15 minutes)

Writing Task

• Pupils write 3 compound sentences about the Iron Age. They must use prepositional phrases to add information and conjunctions to join clauses.
• Encourage variety of prepositions and clear sentence structure.
• Teacher circulates, offering support and feedback.
• Prompt with questions: “Where is something happening? When? How? Use a prepositional phrase to show this.”

5. Plenary (5 minutes)

Reflection and Assessment

• Invite students to share one of their sentences aloud.
• Ask: “What did you notice about prepositional phrases today? Why are they important?”
• Quick exit task: On mini whiteboards, pupils write one prepositional phrase from their sentences or the text. Collect to assess understanding.
• Praise the class for their detective work in uncovering the hidden phrases.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observation during pair and group work.
• Review underlined phrases in texts for accuracy.
• Evaluate sentence strips for correct compound sentence structure and prepositional phrase use.
• Written sentences provide formative assessment on independent application.

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Differentiation

Support:

• Provide sentence starters with blanks for prepositional phrases.
• Use visual preposition aids showing pictures to reinforce meaning.
• Pair with a confident peer for paired reading and sentence work.

Challenge:

• Encourage use of more complex prepositional phrases (including time, manner, and cause).
• Ask pupils to write a short paragraph combining multiple compound sentences with prepositional phrases.
• Introduce less common conjunctions (e.g., yet, so, nor) for joining clauses.

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Extension Ideas for Homework / Further Learning

• Research and bring one fact about Iron Age life and write a compound sentence including a prepositional phrase to describe it.
• Create a simple illustrated poster showing examples of prepositions and prepositional phrases found in history-themed sentences.

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Teacher’s Tip

Use historical content to captivate student interest but keep the grammar focus central. Encourage pupils to see prepositional phrases as a tool to ‘paint a picture with words’—like placing characters and events on a timeline or map in their writing. This contextual link both meets curriculum aims and sparks engagement.

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End of Lesson 3 Plan: Prepositional Phrases Uncovered