Prepare CONCEPT Pronouns are words that substitute previously mentioned nouns in speech and writing. Knowledge of pronoun usage supports students abilities to interpret text accurately and write clearly. This lesson supports students abilities to interpret and utilize pronouns. It can be taught over multiple class periods as needed. VOCABULARY noun, pronoun, antecedent, vague pronoun usage, ambiguous pronoun usage MATERIALS Lesson reproducibles, pronouns list, example sentences with pronouns (included); flashcards (not included) Instruct Starting with a warm-up provides students with the opportunity to connect to their prior knowledge about pronoun usage. As necessary, teach or review that pronouns are words that take the place of a noun. Pronouns may be masculine, feminine, or neutral, and singular or plural. When a pronoun is used to replace a noun, it must match the noun in number and gender. The noun replaced is called the antecedent. Display two columns: nouns and pronouns. Invite students to write nouns in the first column and pronouns in the second column that differ by gender and number. Ask students to make connections between the nouns and pronouns by identifying which pronouns might refer to which nouns. Students can think of sentences using the nouns and pronouns, and share them with the class (e.g., Julius Caesar declared himself dictator for life.). Teach students about the function of different types of pronouns. First, explain to students that there are different types of pronouns. Define each type of pronoun by describing its function (see Lesson page 3). You can provide Lesson page 3 to students for reference during instruction. Students can also create flashcards with pronoun type on one side and examples on the other. Display sentences that contain each type of pronoun. You can use the nouns and pronouns that students generated in the warm-up, or use the example sentences on Lesson page 3. Discuss how the pronoun functions in each sentence. Note that the pronoun may appear in the sentence before or after the noun, and emphasize that the pronoun should clearly refer to only one antecedent. Practice Interactive practice helps prepare students to apply their knowledge independently. Select a high-interest, narrative text or biography that contains various pronouns. Read the text with the class, and have students identify pronouns as they read. As needed, coach students through the meaning of sentences that require careful interpretation. continued on next page Lesson page 1
Invite students to share the type of pronoun they have encountered and identify its antecedent. Refer back to the list of pronouns to support students with identifying the correct pronoun type. Provide students with an opportunity to independently use their new knowledge in a meaningful way. Students can write a response to the text read in class, with the goal of using different types of pronouns. After writing, students can share their response with a partner and work together to identify types of pronouns used. Students can also check each other s work for vague pronoun usage (i.e., when a pronoun does not have a specific antecedent) or ambiguous pronoun usage (i.e., when a pronoun may refer to more than one antecedent). Connect Use these activities to further engage students in applying their knowledge and provide opportunities for peer collaboration. Provide students with a short text excerpt. In pairs, students can work together to identify pronouns in the text and identify their type. Provide students with a list of sentences containing ambiguous or vague pronoun reference. Students can rewrite the sentences and check their work with a partner. See Reproducible page 1 for examples. Challenge students to write a comprehensible sentence with as many different types of pronouns as possible, while avoiding ambiguous pronoun usage. Practice using and identifying pronouns during pronoun trivia. See Lesson page 4 for instructions. Lesson page 2
Types of Pronouns Pronoun Example Words Used in a Sentence Subject Pronoun Used to replace the antecedent that performs the action in a sentence or clause Object Pronoun Used to replace the antecedent that receives the action in the predicate Possessive Pronoun Used to indicate ownership Interrogative Pronouns Used to ask informationbased questions Demonstrative Pronouns Used to point to specific people or things Indefinite Pronouns Used to replace a noun without referring to it specifically Reflexive Pronouns Used to refer back to the antecedent that is the subject of the sentence Relative Pronouns Used to connect a relative clause to the antecedent Absolute Possessive Pronouns Used to replace a noun and stand alone Reciprocal Pronouns Used to refer to two or more antecedents doing the same action Emphatic Pronouns Used to emphasize the antecedent I, you, he, she, it, we, you, they Marie Curie was born in Warsaw, Poland, and she was the youngest of five children. me, you, him, her, it, us, you, them my, mine, your, yours, his, her, hers, its, our, ours, your, yours, their, theirs who, whom, whose, which, what this, that, these, those another, anybody, anyone, anything, each, either, everybody, everyone, everything, neither, nobody, no one, nothing, one, other, somebody, someone, something, both, few, many, others, several, all, any, more, most, none, some myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves that, which, whichever, who, whoever, whom, whomever, whatever mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs each other, one another myself, yourself, herself, himself, ourselves, themselves During her studies in Paris, she met laboratory manager Pierre Curie and married him a year later. Other scientists doubted her findings, but Marie was convinced that she had discovered a new element. Who would have thought that she would continue her scientific pursuits after her husband s sudden passing? That occurred as a result of an accident with Pierre and a horse and cart. Marie and Pierre discovered two elements; the first was polonium and the other was radium. Marie and her daughter Irene put themselves at risk by providing X-rays to wounded men on the front lines in World War I. Irene, who also became a scientist, won a Nobel Prize. Hers was awarded for the discovery of artificial radiation. Marie and Pierre helped each other earn the Nobel Prize in Physics. Marie herself is the only woman who has been awarded two Nobel Prizes. Lesson page 3
Reinforcement Activity: Pronoun Trivia Activity Materials Pronoun Trivia 20-30 questions or items referring to pronoun usage, organized into 5-6 categories. For example: Category = Ambiguous Pronouns êrestate this sentence to correct the ambiguous pronoun usage: When the manager met the new employee, he shook his hand. Category = What type of pronoun? êidentify the type of pronoun used in this sentence: Even without any experience in woodwork, she built the table herself. Category = Examples êwhat are three examples of a possessive pronoun? Preparation Procedure Create a trivia board using notecards or slides, organized by category, with a point value assigned to each question in the category. For students who need visual support, you can provide them with a list of pronoun types used during this activity. Divide the class into two or three teams. Students from each team will take turns selecting a category and point value and answering the trivia question. Students can receive support from their teammates as needed. If a student or team answers the question correctly, they are awarded the point value for that question. Continue alternating between teams until all questions have been answered. The team with the most points wins. Lesson page 4
Example Sentences: Vague and Ambiguous Rewrite the sentences to correct the vague or ambiguous pronoun reference. The first two are completed for you. 1. The students petitioned that they should increase funding for environmental conservation. The students petitioned their Congressmen to increase funding for environmental conservation. 2. Carlos had an internship with a dentist last summer, and it might become his new career choice. Carlos had an internship with a dentist last summer, and dentistry might become his new career choice. 3. When the mechanic drove our truck onto the lift for an oil change, it broke. 4. It says in today s newspaper that rain is expected in the region by the end of the week. 5. As soon as Jennifer saw the actress, she fainted. 6. The doctor and the nurse scheduled a meeting for this afternoon, but she had to miss it to see a patient. 7. The student s science report was missing a bibliography, so it lowered his final grade. 8. They say that calcium is important for strong bones and healthy teeth. 9. Before he left, Abraham made sure he had his phone and his watch and put it in his pocket. 10. My brother s car and bedroom are always untidy, which drives my mother crazy. 11. If you eat a healthy diet and exercise at least three times per week, it will give you more energy. 12. For his birthday, Rahim gave his brother a new copy of Grapes of Wrath, his favorite book. 13. You can take your driver s test next month, though it requires a lot of practice and preparation. 14. The instructions state to attach the filters to the pumps, but I cannot find those. 15. Depending on the severity of the injury, it can take up to two years for a tibial fracture to fully heal. 16. That should not take more than two weeks if you put the seedlings in direct sunlight and water them every other day. 17. Harriett vowed to study math and science for an hour each night, which might be challenging if she accepts the part-time job. 18. It says that birds use the Earth s magnetic fields as a map during their annual migration. 19. When my great-grandfather held the baby for the first time, he smiled. 20. As soon as I put the jar of tomato sauce on the shelf in the refrigerator, it cracked. Reproducible page 1