Using Keynote to Explore Prepositional Phrases

Using Keynote to Teach Prepositional Phrases in First Grade

Teaching prepositional phrases to first graders can feel tricky—these little words do a big job! I’ve found that using Keynote makes this grammar concept much more concrete, visual, and fun for young learners.

Why Prepositional Phrases Need Visuals

First graders are still very concrete thinkers. When we say words like under, over, beside, or between, they understand them best when they can see and talk about what’s happening. Prepositional phrases answer questions like where? and when?, which makes visuals especially powerful.

That’s where Keynote comes in.

How I Use Keynote in the Classroom

I create simple, clean slides that show a familiar object (like a cat, ball, or backpack) and place it in different positions.

For example:

• A cat on the chair
• A cat under the table
• A cat next to the bed

Each slide includes:

• A large, clear image
• One sentence at the bottom (e.g., The cat is under the table.)
• The prepositional phrase highlighted in a different color

This helps students clearly see that the phrase includes the preposition + the object.

Making It Interactive

Keynote is perfect for interaction:

• I’ll move objects on the slide and ask, “Where is the ball now?”
• Students turn and talk using a full sentence: The ball is between the boxes.
• We sometimes act it out with classroom objects before checking the slide

You can even let students come up and move objects themselves if you have a touchscreen or interactive board.

Supporting Language Development

Using Keynote also supports oral language skills. Students practice:

• Speaking in complete sentences
• Using academic language naturally
• Listening and responding to classmates

This is especially helpful for English learners, who benefit from strong visual and sentence support.

Keeping It Simple

The key to success is simplicity. Too many animations or words can be distracting. I stick to:

• One idea per slide
• Familiar objects
• Repeated sentence structure

This repetition builds confidence and helps the concept stick.

Final Thoughts

Keynote turns prepositional phrases from an abstract grammar lesson into an engaging, visual experience. With clear images, simple sentences, and interactive opportunities, first graders can quickly understand and use prepositional phrases in their own speaking and writing.

If you haven’t tried using Keynote for grammar lessons yet, this is a great place to start!

#Robbinsnest