Grammar/Structure: Using Adverbs, Conjunctions and Prepositions in Sentences for JSS 3

Class: JSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 8
Age: Approximately 13 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: English Language Studies
Curriculum Theme: Grammar/Structure
Previous Lesson: Listening and Speaking: Intonation, Stress and Rhythm, Inter-Ethnic Marriage Speech
Topic: Grammatical Accuracy
Subject Matter: Use of adverbs, conjunctions and prepositions in sentences; Functions of adverbs, conjunctions and prepositions

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Describe adverbs, conjunctions, and prepositions.
• Identify and correctly use adverbs in sentences.
• Identify and correctly use conjunctions in sentences.
• Identify and correctly use prepositions in sentences.
• State and explain the functions of adverbs in sentences.
• State and explain the functions of conjunctions in sentences.
• State and explain the functions of prepositions in sentences.

Affective Domain

• Participate actively in class discussions on grammatical accuracy.
• Appreciate the importance of using adverbs, conjunctions, and prepositions correctly.

Psychomotor Domain

• Construct grammatically correct sentences using adverbs, conjunctions, and prepositions.
• Accurately identify adverbs, conjunctions, and prepositions in given sentences.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2014 Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable English Language textbook for JSS 3
• FCT ERC/NAPPS Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Whiteboard or chalkboard
• Markers or chalk
• Prepared sentences and short passages demonstrating the use of adverbs, conjunctions, and prepositions
• Charts showing examples of adverbs, conjunctions, and prepositions

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important because it equips students with the knowledge and skills to use adverbs, conjunctions, and prepositions accurately, which are fundamental for clear and effective communication. Mastering these parts of speech enhances sentence structure, coherence, and overall grammatical accuracy in both spoken and written English.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of other parts of speech such as nouns, pronouns, verbs, and adjectives.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Grammatical Accuracy: Using Adverbs, Conjunctions and Prepositions in Sentences

Adverbs

An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. It tells us how, when, where, or to what extent an action is performed.

Functions of Adverbs:

1. Modifying a Verb: The adverb describes how the action of the verb is done.

• Example: She sings beautifully. (How she sings)

• Example: He is very tall. (How tall)

• Example: She runs quite fast. (How fast)

Examples of Adverbs in Sentences:

1. He walks slowly. (modifies the verb ‘walks’)
2. She is extremely happy. (modifies the adjective ‘happy’)
3. They finished the work quickly. (modifies the verb ‘finished’)
4. The bird flew high above the trees. (modifies the verb ‘flew’)
5. I will see you tomorrow. (modifies the verb ‘see’)

Conjunctions

A conjunction is a word used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences.

Functions of Conjunctions:

1. Joining Words: Conjunctions can connect individual words.

• Example: John and Mary are friends.

• Example: She looked under the bed and behind the curtain.

• Example: I like to read but I don’t like to write.

Examples of Conjunctions in Sentences:

1. I want to go to the market, but I don’t have money.
2. She is intelligent and hardworking.
3. You can choose tea or coffee.
4. He stayed home because he was sick.
5. I will wait until you arrive.

Prepositions

A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. It usually indicates position, direction, time, or manner.

Functions of Prepositions:

1. Showing Location/Position: Indicates where something is.

• Example: The book is on the table.

• Example: He walked to the school.

• Example: We meet at noon.

• Example: She writes with a pen.

Examples of Prepositions in Sentences:

1. The cat is sleeping under the chair.
2. She lives in Lagos.
3. He arrived on Monday.
4. The gift is for you.
5. They travelled by bus.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Individual Practice

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating Prior Knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to recall some parts of speech they have learned previously, such as nouns, verbs, and adjectives. The teacher then introduces the topic of adverbs, conjunctions, and prepositions as other important parts of speech for grammatical accuracy.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and listen attentively to the introduction of the new topic.

Learning Point: Parts of speech recall

Step 2: Adverbs – Description and Functions

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what an adverb is, its role in modifying verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. The teacher provides clear examples for each function on the board.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions for clarification, and copy the definitions and functions into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Adverb definition and functions

Step 3: Adverbs – Identification and Use in Sentences

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher writes several sentences on the board and guides students to identify the adverbs and explain what they modify. The teacher then asks students to construct their own sentences using different adverbs.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify adverbs in sentences and construct new sentences, sharing their answers with the class.

Learning Point: Adverb identification and usage

Step 4: Conjunctions – Description and Functions

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what a conjunction is and its function in joining words, phrases, and clauses. The teacher provides examples for each function.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and ask questions about conjunctions.

Learning Point: Conjunction definition and functions

Step 5: Conjunctions – Identification and Use in Sentences

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher provides sentences with conjunctions and asks students to identify them. The teacher then guides students to create sentences using various conjunctions.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify conjunctions and form their own sentences, presenting them to the class.

Learning Point: Conjunction identification and usage

Step 6: Prepositions – Description and Functions, Identification and Use in Sentences

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains prepositions, their functions (showing location, direction, time, etc.), and provides examples. The teacher then guides students to identify prepositions in sentences and use them correctly in new sentences.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, identify prepositions, and construct sentences using them.

Learning Point: Preposition definition and usage

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is an adverb and what does it modify?
2. Give two examples of conjunctions and use them in sentences.
3. Identify the preposition in the sentence: “The book is on the shelf.”
4. Explain one function of a preposition.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Adverbs, conjunctions, prepositions

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on adverbs, conjunctions, and prepositions into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Grammatical accuracy notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarises the main points of the lesson, reminding students of the importance of using adverbs, conjunctions, and prepositions correctly for clear and effective communication.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and ask any final questions.

Learning Point: Sentence structure importance

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Complete the following tasks in your English notebook:

1. Identify all the adverbs, conjunctions, and prepositions in the following passage: “The small boy quickly ran across the field because he saw his mother. He jumped with joy and hugged her tightly.”
2. Write three sentences, each containing an adverb, a conjunction, and a preposition. Underline each part of speech.
3. Explain in your own words the main function of an adverb.

Lesson Keywords

• Adverb – A word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.
• Conjunction – A word used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences.
• Preposition – A word that shows the relationship between a noun/pronoun and other words in a sentence.
• Modify – To describe or limit the meaning of a word.
• Join – To connect or link together.
• Relate – To show a connection between things.

Differentiation

For students who grasp the concepts quickly, challenge them to identify different types of adverbs (e.g., adverbs of time, place, manner) or to construct complex sentences using multiple conjunctions and prepositions. For students needing extra support, provide simpler sentences for identification and usage, and offer additional examples and one-on-one guidance.

Suggested Lesson Videos

Search on YouTube for: “JSS 3 English adverbs conjunctions prepositions”