Hands-On Positional Words Lesson Plan for Preschool & Kindergarten

Teach positional words with this fun, hands-on lesson plan! Using a stuffed animal and engaging activities like songs and Simon Says, this lesson helps preschool and kindergarten students master prepositions like in, on, under, and behind. This Common Core-aligned resource includes differentiation tips and a creative assessment, perfect for kinesthetic learners.

Create Your Own Custom Lesson Plan
PDF

Where's the Bear? A Positional Words Adventure!

Materials Needed:

  • A favorite stuffed animal (like a teddy bear, but any will do!)
  • A medium-sized cardboard box or basket
  • A small chair or stool
  • A few pillows or cushions
  • Building blocks or LEGOs
  • A piece of paper and crayons/markers

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to:

  • Correctly identify and use at least five positional words (e.g., in, on, under, next to, behind, in front of).
  • Follow one and two-step directions using these positional words.
  • Demonstrate their understanding by physically placing an object in a described location.

Standards Alignment:

  • Common Core ELA (L.K.1.E): Use the most frequently occurring prepositions (e.g., to, from, in, out, on, off, for, of, by, with).
  • Common Core Math (K.G.A.1): Describe objects in the environment... and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.

Lesson Activities

1. Warm-Up: The "Where is Bear?" Song (5 minutes)

(Sing to the tune of "Are You Sleeping?" or "Frère Jacques")

Start by holding the bear. Sing the first verse together:

Where is Bear? Where is Bear?
Here I am. Here I am.

Now, introduce the positional words by moving the bear and changing the lyrics. Be very clear and exaggerate your movements. Encourage your student to sing along and copy your actions.

  • Place the bear on your head: "On my head. On my head."
  • Place the bear under your chin: "Under my chin. Under my chin."
  • Place the bear behind your back: "Behind my back. Behind my back."

This gets the child moving, listening, and introduced to the key vocabulary in a fun, low-pressure way.

2. Guided Practice: I Do, We Do (5 minutes)

Use the box and the bear for this part. You will model first, then do it together.

  • I Do: Say, "I am putting the bear IN the box." Place the bear inside the box, emphasizing the word "in." Then say, "Now the bear is in the box." Repeat this for ON and UNDER.
  • We Do: Say, "Let's put the bear ON the box together." Guide your student's hand to help them place the bear on the box. Celebrate with a "We did it!" Ask, "Where is the bear now?" Encourage them to say, "On the box!" Repeat for a few other words like next to and behind.

3. Main Activity: Positional Word Playground! (15-20 minutes)

This is where the student applies their knowledge through play. Choose one or two of these activities based on your child's energy and interest.

Activity A: Positional Simon Says

This is a twist on the classic game. You are Simon, and you give directions using the stuffed animal.

  • "Simon says put the bear under the chair."
  • "Simon says hold the bear in front of you."
  • "Sit next to the bear." (Drop the "Simon says" to see if they are listening!)
  • "Simon says hide the bear behind the pillow."

Teacher Tip: Let the student take a turn being "Simon"! Having them give you directions is a fantastic way to assess their understanding and use of the vocabulary.

Activity B: Build a Bear House

Using the building blocks, work together to build a simple structure for the bear.

  • "Let's put a block next to this one."
  • "Can you build a wall behind the bear?"
  • "Let's put a roof on top of the house."
  • "Now, put the bear in his new house!"

This activity encourages creativity, fine motor skills, and problem-solving while naturally using the target words.

4. Cool-Down & Assessment: Draw the Bear (5 minutes)

End the lesson with a quiet, creative check for understanding.

Get out the paper and crayons. Give a simple, one-step instruction and see if they can draw it.

  • "Can you draw the bear on a box?"
  • "Now, can you draw a sun above the bear?" (This introduces a new, related word).
  • "Let's draw some grass under the box."

While they draw, ask them questions: "Tell me about your picture. Where is the bear?" Listen for their use of the positional words. This drawing serves as a simple and fun record of their learning.

Differentiation and Inclusivity:

  • For Extra Support: Focus on just two opposite pairs at a time (e.g., in/out, on/under). Use lots of physical gestures and hand-over-hand guidance. Keep instructions to one step only.
  • For an Extra Challenge: Introduce more complex words like between, above, and below. Give two-step directions ("Put the bear behind the chair and next to the pillow"). Ask them to create a story about the bear's adventure and describe where he went using positional words.
  • Inclusivity: This lesson is designed around movement and play, which caters to kinesthetic learners. Using a child's own favorite toy creates an immediate personal connection. The activities can be adapted to any space and use common household items.