Prepositional, Adverbial, and Adjectival Phrases

Grade 7 · English

Semester 2 | Period 5 | Week 27

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Subject: English

Semester: 2

Period: 5

Week: 27

School Name:
Teacher’s Name:
Subject: English Language
Grade Level: Grade 7
Date:
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Week & Period: Week 27, Period 5
Topic: Prepositional, Adverbial, and Adjectival Phrases
Sub-topic: Using Phrases to Enhance Descriptive Writing

Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

  1. Define and identify prepositional, adverbial, and adjectival phrases in sentences.
  2. Explain the function of each type of phrase.
  3. Write descriptive sentences and short paragraphs incorporating prepositional, adverbial, and adjectival phrases.

Previous Knowledge
Students already know:
• Basic sentence structure (subject + predicate).
• Parts of speech: nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.

Instructional Materials
• Textbook: English Language textbooks for Grade 7
• Teaching aids: Charts with examples of phrases, sample sentences and paragraphs, chalkboard/marker board
• Students’ notebooks and writing materials

Lesson Development – ABC Model

A – Anticipation (Warm-up / Starter)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Activity: The teacher will ask the class:
• Can you spot the phrase in this sentence? “The boy ran with great speed.”
• What part of the sentence does the phrase modify?
The teacher will record responses on the board.
Teacher’s Role: Guide a short discussion to activate prior knowledge and introduce different types of phrases.
Learner’s Role:
• Share examples of phrases they have seen or used.
• Respond verbally and participate actively in the discussion.

B – Building Knowledge (Main Lesson Body)

Time: 25–30 minutes

Teacher’s Role (Expanded with Details & Examples)

  1. Define Prepositional Phrases
  • A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun (called the object of the preposition).
  • Examples of prepositions: in, on, under, over, beside, between, with, after, during, by, to, from.
  • Examples in sentences:
    • The cat is under the table. (prepositional phrase = “under the table”).
    • He walked into the house.
    • She sat by the window.

 

  1. Define Adjectival Phrases
  • An adjectival phrase is a group of words that modifies (describes) a noun or pronoun.
  • It usually answers “Which one?” or “What kind of?”
  • Examples in sentences:
    • The man with a scar is my uncle. (modifies man).
    • She bought a bag full of rice (modifies bag).
    • The house on the hill is beautiful. (modifies house).

 

  1. Define Adverbial Phrases
  • An adverbial phrase is a group of words that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
  • It usually tells how, when, where, or to what extent.
  • Examples in sentences:
    • He spoke with great care. (modifies spoke → how).
    • She answered in a loud voice.
    • The boy ran very quickly.

 

  1. Show the Difference Between the Three
  • The boy ran into the room. (Prepositional phrase → tells where).
  • The boy with the red shirt ran into the room. (Adjectival phrase → describes the boy).
  • The boy ran with great speed. (Adverbial phrase → tells how).

 

  1. Model Descriptive Sentences Using All Three
  • The girl with long hair (adjectival) sang in the hall (prepositional) with great joy (adverbial).
  • During the night (prepositional), the dog with brown spots (adjectival) barked very loudly (adverbial).

 

  1. Model a Short Descriptive Paragraph

Yesterday, we visited a house on the hill (prepositional). The house, with brightly painted walls (adjectival), looked beautiful. We walked with great excitement (adverbial) into the sitting room. There was a table in the middle of the room (prepositional). A vase full of fresh flowers (adjectival) stood on it. My mother smiled with great happiness (adverbial) as she looked around.

 

Learners’ Activities (Expanded)

  1. Identifying Phrases in Sentences
  • Teacher writes on the board:
    • The boy hid under the bed.
    • The girl with the blue dress is my sister.
    • He spoke with confidence.
  • Students underline the phrases and label them (prepositional, adjectival, adverbial).
  1. Sentence Construction Exercise
  • Students write:
    • 2 sentences using prepositional phrases.
    • 2 sentences using adjectival phrases.
    • 2 sentences using adverbial phrases.
  1. Paragraph Writing Exercise
  • In groups, students write a 5–6 sentence descriptive paragraph about “A Day at the Market”, ensuring they use all three phrase types.

 

Assessment Checks (Expanded)

  1. Observation: Teacher walks around to check whether students are correctly identifying and using phrases.
  2. Oral Questions:
    • Which phrase tells where something happens? (Prepositional).
    • Which phrase modifies a noun? (Adjectival).
    • Which phrase modifies a verb? (Adverbial).
  3. Quick Board Drill: Fill in the blanks.
    • The book ______ (with a torn cover) is mine.
    • She danced ______ (with great energy).
    • The dog is hiding ______ (under the chair).

 

Notes (Expanded & Detailed)

  • Prepositional phrases → show relationships of place, time, direction, cause, or manner.
  • Adjectival phrases → give more detail about nouns (help to paint clearer pictures).
  • Adverbial phrases → add richness to descriptions of actions.
  • Using all three phrase types makes writing more descriptive, interesting, and engaging.

 

Extra Examples for Practice

Prepositional Phrases

  • After school, we went to the park.
  • There are many stars in the sky.

Adjectival Phrases

  • The boy with the broken arm is my classmate.
  • She wore a dress covered in flowers.

Adverbial Phrases

  • He completed the work in record time.
  • They shouted with great excitement.

 

Assignment (Expanded)

  1. Identify the type of phrase in each sentence:
    • a) The car in the garage belongs to my father.
    • b) The child with curly hair is laughing.
    • c) The teacher spoke with authority.
    • d) We waited after the match.
    • e) The bag full of books is heavy.
  2. Correctly label the following: Prepositional, Adjectival, or Adverbial.
  3. Write 6 sentences:
    • 2 with prepositional phrases.
    • 2 with adjectival phrases.
    • 2 with adverbial phrases.
  4. Write a short descriptive paragraph (7–8 sentences) on “My Classroom”. Use:
    • At least 2 prepositional phrases.
    • At least 2 adjectival phrases.
    • At least 2 adverbial phrases.
    • Underline the phrases and label them.

C – Consolidation (Conclusion & Assessment)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Summary:
• Teacher asks students to recall the definitions and functions of prepositional, adverbial, and adjectival phrases.
Evaluation Method (Expanded):
• Exit slip/quiz:

  1. Identify the type of phrase in three given sentences.
  2. Write a short paragraph using at least one prepositional, one adverbial, and one adjectival phrase.
    Teacher collects responses and provides oral feedback.
    Assignment (Expanded):
    • Write a descriptive paragraph about a classroom or market scene using at least two examples of each phrase type.
    Follow-up Activity:
    • Peer review: Students exchange paragraphs and highlight the phrases used, specifying their types.

Differentiation / Inclusive Strategies
• Struggling Learners: Provide guided sentence starters and a list of common phrases.
• Advanced Learners: Encourage writing longer paragraphs with multiple phrases of each type.
• Students with Disabilities: Use oral demonstrations, visual phrase charts, and peer-assisted writing activities.

Teacher’s Reflection (After Class)
• What worked well? ______________________________________________________
• What needs improvement? _________________________________________________
• Students’ engagement level: □ High □ Medium □ Low