New
New
Year 5

On our desk: 'detrás', 'debajo' and 'en'

Learning outcomes

I can say what's on my desk using 'detrás de', 'debajo de' and 'en'.

I can distinguish between [zo, [za], [zu] and [ce], [ci]

New
New
Year 5

On our desk: 'detrás', 'debajo' and 'en'

Learning outcomes

I can say what's on my desk using 'detrás de', 'debajo de' and 'en'.

I can distinguish between [zo, [za], [zu] and [ce], [ci]

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Lesson details

Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons

Key learning points

  1. [z] is always followed by [a], [o] or [u]; [z] sounds the same as [c] in front of [e] and [i].
  2. 'Tener' means to have, having; to say 'they have', use 'tienen', to say 'we have' use 'tenemos'.
  3. 'Un' and 'una' are used with singular nouns; 'unos' and 'unas' are used with plural nouns.
  4. 'Detrás (de)', 'debajo (de) ' and 'en' are used to say where something is; 'detrás' and 'debajo' are followed by 'de'.

Keywords

  • Tenemos - part of the verb tener meaning to have, having meaning we have

  • Tienen - part of the verb tener meaning to have, having meaning they have

  • Detrás de - prepositional phrase meaning 'behind'

  • Debajo de - prepositional phrase meaning behind 'under'

  • En - preposition meaning at, in and on

Common misconception

In Spanish, the words 'detrás' (behind) and 'debajo' (under) are used in the same way as in English, followed directly by an article and noun.

In Spanish, 'detrás' (behind) and 'debajo' are folowed by 'de' in Spanish and then the article and the noun; used like this, they are known as prepositional phrases.


To help you plan your year 5 Spanish lesson on: On our desk: 'detrás', 'debajo' and 'en', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

As an additional and practical activity, pupils could gather some equipment on their desks and then work with a partner to describe it.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the Spanish to the English.
Correct Answer:escribir,to write, writing

to write, writing

Correct Answer:escuchar,to listen, listening

to listen, listening

Correct Answer:estudiar,to study, studying

to study, studying

Correct Answer:hablar,to speak, speaking

to speak, speaking

Correct Answer:leer,to read, reading

to read, reading

Correct Answer:pronunciar,to pronounce, pronouncing

to pronounce, pronouncing

Q2.
Which word means 'room'?
botella
casa
estuche
Correct answer: habitación
jardín
Q3.
Order the words to say 'we have an ugly plant behind the garden'.
1 - tenemos
2 - una
3 - planta
4 - fea
5 - detrás
6 - del
7 - jardín
Q4.
Order the numbers from smallest to biggest.
1 - dos
2 - ocho
3 - trece
4 - dieciséis
5 - diecinueve
6 - veintidós
7 - treinta
Q5.
'Ella tiene una profesora estricta.' Translate this sentence into English.
Correct Answer: She has a strict teacher
Q6.
'They don't have a comfortable chair.' Translate this sentence into Spanish in 5 words.
Correct Answer: No tienen una silla cómoda, ellas, ellos

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the Spanish to the English.
Correct Answer:divertido,fun, funny

fun, funny

Correct Answer:elegante,elegant

elegant

Correct Answer:diferente,different

different

Correct Answer:enorme,enormous

enormous

Correct Answer:grande,big

big

Correct Answer:independiente,independent

independent

Q2.
Which answer is a preposition?
viejo
tranquilo
también
cumpleaños
Correct answer: detrás de
Q3.
'Tengo una mochila debajo de la mesa.' Which answer best translates this sentence?
I have a pencil case under the table.
Correct answer: I have a rucksack under the table.
You have a rucksack under the table.
I have a rucksack behind the table.
I have a sandwich under the table.
Q4.
Order the words from latest in the year to earliest.
1 - diciembre
2 - octubre
3 - agosto
4 - julio
5 - abril
6 - marzo
7 - febrero
Q5.
'¿Tienes un gato divertido?' Translate this sentence into English.
Correct Answer: Do you have a funny cat, Do you have a fun cat, have you got a funny cat, have you got a fun cat
Q6.
'I have an enormous but ugly house.' Translate this sentence into Spanish in 5 words.
Correct Answer: Tengo una casa enorme pero fea

Additional material

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