Pronouns

9th grade English

Mr. Chris Lykins

Pronouns are often considered one of the hardest parts of English grammar. The key to successful usage of pronouns is memorization and review. This exercise will set the stage for successful usage throughout the rest of the year.

Task

8.3.01 Demonstrate knowledge of standard English usage. c. Use pronouns appropriately (e.g., use of proper pronoun case: objective, nominative, and possessive; pronoun-antecedent agreement). i. Recognize and correct usage errors (e.g., pronoun case). Students will learn the objective case pronouns, nominative case pronouns, possessive case pronouns, and pronoun-antecedent agreement. This will take place by students learning which pronouns belong to which case. The students will also practice being able to recognize errors and then being able to correct those errors.

Sources

Capital Community College Foundation. (n.d.). Pronouns. Retrieved March 29, 2004, from http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/pronouns1.htm

Mahidol University Computing Center. (2002). Academics and admission. Retrieved March 29, 2004, from www.mahidol.ac.th/mueng/ academics/admiss.html

Mallory, K. (2004). English-zone.com. Retrieved March 29, 2004, from http://www.english-zone.com/grammar/pos-prn.html

Pai, L. (2004). Kerala engineers family muscat. Retrieved March 29, 2004, from www.srikumar.com/.../ kefmeet-side.htm (http://www.srikumar.com/engineersmeet-2001/kefmeet-side.htm)

Ruthin School. (1999). Boarding facilities. Retrieved April 5, 2004, from www.ruthinschool.denbigh.sch.uk/ Boarding.htm

Shankar, A. (2003). Illinois Institute of Technology. Retrieved March 29, 2004, from www.iit.edu/alumni/updates/ yearbook/1980s/

Strauss, J. (1998). The blue book of grammar and punctuation. Retrieved March 29, 2004, from http://www.grammarbook.com/default.htm

Process

1. Find the definition of a pronoun. Click on the link below. Click on the Grammar link on the sidebar. From the drop down menu, choose Pronouns. Read rules 1-4.

2. Follow the link. In the chart study the columns Subject Pronouns, Object Pronouns, and Possessive Pronouns.

3. Practice.

Guidance

REFLECTION

Purpose. The purpose of this project is to introduce the student to pronouns (subjective, objective, and possessive) using the internet as the primary resource. The student will learn the definition of a pronoun, how each type is used, and practice using pronouns in a sentence.

Preceding and Ensuing Events. The student will have previously learned how to use nouns--important since a pronoun takes the place of a noun. Before the students use this WebQuest, the teacher will give instruction on how to use the computers in the media lab. After the WebQuest is complete, the student will be given a homework assignment practicing the use of pronouns in a sentence. The following class will involve a quiz over the material presented in the WebQuest and practiced in the homework.

Debriefing. This project should help improve learning because it uses a source that students are familiar with and like to use. The internet is a change from the usual boring lecture. This will engage students better than lectures and worksheets.

Improvement. This project could be improved by including instruction on other areas of grammar such as nouns and antecedents. The project could be expanded by adding an age-appropriate web game which includes pronoun instruction.

Conclusion

The student will click on the first link to find the definition of a pronoun. There the student will also find the definitions of the different types of pronouns: subjective, objective, and possessive. The student will click on the second link to find a pronoun chart. This chart shows the student that he and him are the 3^rd person pronouns, one in the objective case and one in the subjective case. The third, fourth, and fifth links are links that give the students practice over the rules they have just learned. Each practice exercise grades itself so that the students know immediately if they have an understanding of pronouns.

Answer key:

Practice A. 1. whom; 2. whom; 3. who's; 4. whomever; 5. whoever; 6. who's; 7. who; 8. whom; 9. whoever; 10. who; 11. whose; 12. whomever; 13. who's; 14. whom; 15. whose

Practice B 1. she; 2. he; 3. I; 4. they; 5. our; 6. she; 7. he; 8. me; 9. her; 10. he

Practice C 1. him; 2. her; 3. who; 4. I; 5. me; 6. his or her; 7. his or her