Follow the map: a treasure hunt with prepositions of movement
Children listen to directions and draw the route on a map, learn the prepositions of movement, then make their own secret map and give directions to a partner.
At a glance
- From
- Level 2, Moving Up English: Week 10, Around town
- Grammar
- infinitive of purpose (to buy...); directions
- Key language
- walk along, go past, turn left, go up / down, go over the bridge, through the forest, across the field, round the well, towards the cave, next to
- Children make
- A route drawn on a map, and spoken directions for a partner's secret map.
- Class size
- Works with 10 to 50 children; pair and group steps say how to scale.
Objective
Children understand spoken directions with prepositions of movement and give simple directions of their own.
Success criteria for children
- I can follow directions on a map.
- I can use along, over, through, past and round correctly.
- I can tell a partner how to get to a place.
Timing: 60 minutes
| Minutes | Stage | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 6 | Warm-up: classroom directions | Children follow directions in the classroom. |
| 6 to 16 | Teach: prepositions of movement | Draw and say: along, over, through, across, past, round, up, down, towards, into. |
| 16 to 20 | Look at the map | Name the places on the map. |
| 20 to 28 | First listening: follow the route | Draw the route in pencil while listening. |
| 28 to 34 | Second listening: check and find the treasure | Check the route; mark X. |
| 34 to 40 | Practice: the prepositions | Worksheet task 2. |
| 40 to 55 | Speaking: secret maps | Pairs draw a secret map and give directions. |
| 55 to 60 | Exit ticket | Write three directions from the classroom door. |
Materials
- Worksheet with the treasure map, pencils, rulers optional
- A blank piece of paper per pair for secret maps
- Places flashcards (free, linked from Week 10)
- Directions flashcards (free, linked from Week 10)
- Infinitives (free, linked from Week 10)
Before the lesson: Read the script slowly and clearly. Pause after each sentence on the first full listening if the class needs it.
Step by step, with teacher talk
0 to 6 minWarm-up: classroom directions
- Give instructions: "Walk to the door. Go along the wall. Walk round the table." Children follow. Introduce along, round, through (a gap), across, past.
6 to 16 minTeach: prepositions of movement
- Draw a quick board scene (a river, a bridge, a tree, a hill) and trace the route with your finger while saying each word.
- Children mime each word. Then say a word; they show the movement.
- If I walk over a bridge, am I on the bridge or under it? (On it.)
- Is "past the shop" before the shop, at the shop or after it? (After it, going by.)
16 to 20 minLook at the map
- Look at the worksheet map and say each place: boat, beach, palm trees, hill, river, bridge, forest, well, rock, cave.
20 to 28 minFirst listening: follow the route
- Play or read the script slowly. Children draw the route with a pencil. Do not stop to explain.
- Compare maps with a partner.
28 to 34 minSecond listening: check and find the treasure
- Listen again. Children fix their route and put an X where the treasure is. Check on the board.
- The guide says "Go over the bridge." Do you go under it? (No.)
34 to 40 minPractice: the prepositions
- Children complete task 2 using the word bank. Check aloud.
40 to 55 minSpeaking: secret maps
- Each child draws a simple map on paper with five places and an X, and keeps it secret.
- They give directions to the partner, who draws the route. Compare maps. Swap roles.
55 to 60 minExit ticket
- See below.
Differentiation
Support
- Give a reference card with each preposition and a small arrow picture.
- Use a very simple map with three places for the secret map task.
Stretch
- Add "turn left at...", "turn right after...", "stop when you see...".
- Make the secret map harder with a swamp, a bridge and a rock tunnel.
- Write the directions down for another group to follow.
Listening script
One speaker. About one minute when read slowly. The treasure is under the big rock, just to the left of the cave.
Guide: Start at the boat on the beach. Walk along the beach to the palm trees.
Guide: Go past the palm trees and turn left. Walk up the hill.
Guide: Walk down the hill and across the field to the river. Go over the bridge.
Guide: Walk through the forest. You will see an old well.
Guide: Walk round the well, then walk towards the cave.
Guide: Stop next to the cave, beside the big rock. The treasure is under the rock!
Questions
- Where do you start?
- Which place do you walk along the beach to?
- How do you cross the river?
- What do you walk through before the well?
- Where is the treasure?
Printable worksheet
Prints on its own A4 page. Use Print the worksheet above, or print the whole plan and the worksheet starts on a new page. One copy per child, or one per pair to save paper.
Treasure map
1. Listen. Draw the route from the boat with a pencil line. Mark the treasure with an X.
2. Choose the best word.
- Walk the beach to the palm trees.
- Go the bridge.
- Walk the forest.
- Walk the hill.
- Go the shop and turn left.
- Walk the well.
3. Write three directions from your classroom door to the playground.
Answer key
Listening script questions
- At the boat on the beach.
- The palm trees.
- Over the bridge.
- The forest.
- Under the big rock, next to the cave.
Worksheet
- 1: the route goes boat, palm trees, hill, bridge, forest, well, cave. The X is just to the left of the cave, beside the big rock.
- 2: along; over; through; up; past; round. (across is an extra word that is not needed.)
- 3: answers will vary. Check the prepositions and a clear order of steps.
Exit ticket
Write three directions from the classroom door to the library or the playground, using along, past and through (or any three from the board).
Homework
Draw a map of your street or a secret island. Give directions to someone at home and see if they find the X.
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Start free with LitlingsMore lesson plans
- Level 2, Week 10: Around town (the curriculum week this plan comes from)
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