Because prepositional phrases are about direction, introduce the concept by demonstrating how the phrases are used. For example, use an ordinary object such as a ball, book or an apple and place it in different proximities in relation to a desk. Put the object on top of the desk and ask students where it is. Then, place the object under the desk and ask the same question. Place the object beside the desk and ask one final time to identify the location of the object.
Once students have had a little practice verbalizing how prepositional phrases are used, challenge them to make prepositional phrases by matching a noun with the correct preposition. For example, the first column may have the words "in," "over," "under" and "at." The second column may have the words "the movies," "the water," "the couch" and "the ground." Make a phrase by matching the words from one column to the other.
Make up a short paragraph and intentionally omit the prepositional phrases in the sentences. Give your students the handout and ask them to complete the sentences filling in the missing prepositional phrases where needed.
Share a copy of a classic Dr. Seuss story like "Hop on Pop" or "Green Eggs and Ham" and have your students read the piece. Instruct them to underline a prepositional phrase each time they see one in the story.
Step back into time and use a classic book to teach an important grammar lesson. In tightly-drawn pictures, a central character, Waldo, hides in different scenery. Arrange your students in groups and have them find Waldo among the pages. The catch is they can only answer in prepositional phrases, such as, “next to the lady in the polka-dot dress,” or “under the sign that says Right Turn Only.”