Pronouns: Subject & Object

Overview

This 50-minute session is tailored for a single Year 12 student, aligned with the National Curriculum for England (English programmes of study: KS4 and Post-16 grammar skills). It focuses on the accurate identification and use of subject and object pronouns, reinforcing grammatical precision essential for advanced writing and speaking skills.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the session, the student will be able to:

Identify subject and object pronouns within complex sentences (English KS4 grammar focus; National Curriculum: English programmes of study – vocabulary, grammar and punctuation).
Apply subject and object pronouns appropriately in writing and speech, demonstrating grammatical accuracy (National Curriculum emphasis on accuracy in grammar and punctuation).
Explain the grammatical roles pronouns play in sentence structure, linking these to advanced syntax understanding expected at Post-16 level.

Curriculum Links

English programmes of study at KS4 and Post-16: vocabulary, grammar and punctuation
Pupils should consolidate knowledge of grammar to understand and manipulate sentence structure and meaning
Emphasis on accuracy in the use of standard English

Resources

Whiteboard or digital equivalent
Index cards with example sentences
Pronoun sorting activity sheet
Recording device (phone/tablet) for spoken exercise
Notebook and pen

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

Engage the student with a rapid-fire oral quiz: teacher states sentences aloud, student identifies if underlined word is subject or object pronoun. Example:
“She went to the park.” (subject pronoun)
“I asked him a question.” (object pronoun)
Briefly clarify definitions: subject pronouns perform the verb action; object pronouns receive the verb action.

2. Diagnostic Assessment through Sentence Parsing (10 minutes)

Present a selection of 6-8 written sentences containing both subject and object pronouns.
The student annotates by underlining subject pronouns in green, object pronouns in blue.
Example sentence: “They told us that he would arrive late.”
Teacher prompts the student to explain their choices verbally, linking to sentence structure.

3. Active Sorting Challenge (10 minutes)

Provide index cards each with a pronoun (e.g., I, me, she, her, they, them, etc.) and separate cards containing sentences with blanks.
The student matches pronoun cards to the correct sentence blanks, differentiating subject/object use.
To increase cognitive challenge, include sentences with compound subjects and objects, e.g., “___ and I will attend the meeting.” versus “She spoke to ___ and me.”
Encourage articulation of rationale for each match, reinforcing meta-cognitive grammar awareness.

4. Creative Application: Spoken and Written (15 minutes)

Spoken: The student records themselves creating two short sentences orally: one using subject pronouns, one with object pronouns focused on exploring personal experience or opinions (to maintain engagement).
Playback the recording and analyse any misuses together; discuss corrections referencing curriculum grammar rules.
Written: The student writes a brief paragraph (5-6 sentences) about their favourite hobby, deliberately integrating both subject and object pronouns correctly.
Teacher reviews and discusses improvements, reinforcing subject-object function accuracy.

5. Reflective Consolidation and Stretch (5 minutes)

The student completes a short self-assessment checklist prompted by the teacher:
- Can I recognise subject and object pronouns?
- Can I explain their function in a sentence?
- Do I use them correctly in speaking and writing?
Teacher introduces a “stretch” challenge for independent learning: explore reflexive pronouns next lesson to extend understanding of pronouns’ grammatical roles.

6. Summary and Homework (5 minutes)

Summarise key points verbally, reinforcing the importance of pronouns for fluency and accuracy in advanced English.
Assign a personalised exercise: write 5 sentences narrating an event, explicitly underlining each pronoun and stating whether it is subject or object.

Assessment & Feedback

Formative: ongoing questioning and explanation during activities to gauge understanding.
Summative: evaluation of student's written paragraph and spoken recording for pronoun accuracy and appropriate use.
Peer or self-review encouraged via recording playback to foster autonomous grammatical self-monitoring.

Differentiation

For a single student, instruction is fully personalised and adaptive; pace and challenge adjusted per real-time understanding.
Use scaffolding tools (e.g., sentence starters, visual colour coding) as needed.

Notes for Teachers

This session incorporates multi-modal learning: visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic elements to enhance memory and understanding.
Use technology (recordings) not just for novelty but as a reflective tool to develop self-correction skills.
Make links to real-world scenarios (e.g., persuasive writing, presentations) to contextualise pronoun mastery beyond academic exercises.

This lesson plan offers a compact but thorough approach linking grammar to practical usage, honouring the rigorous expectations of the National Curriculum for England while keeping engagement high for a Year 12 learner.

Teaching Instructions