What's Up with In and On?

Subject:

General linguistics

Grammar/Syntax

Grade Level:

Grades 3-5

Overview:

This problem-solving activity allows native-English-speaking students to tap into their unconscious knowledge about the meaning and use of prepositions "in" and "on."

Lesson Plan:

When do we use "in" and when do we use "on"?

IN: car, taxi, truck, limo, van, elevator, rocket

ON: plane, ship, subway, train, bus

Think of other nouns having to do with transportation and determine whether they sound better with IN or ON.

Can you figure out what separates the IN-group from the ON-group?

Class Time Needed:

Under 30 minutes