Standard: 6.L.1b – Use intensive pronouns (e.g., myself, ourselves).
Grade level: Grade 6
Subject: English Language Arts
Domain: Language
Teacher Overview
This standard focuses on the use of intensive pronouns, which are used to add emphasis to a subject or antecedent in a sentence. Mastering this standard will help students enhance their writing and speaking skills by allowing them to emphasize points effectively. Students should have a foundational understanding of personal pronouns and how they function within a sentence. They should also be familiar with pronoun-antecedent agreement.
After mastering this standard, students will be able to use pronouns more effectively to enhance their writing and speaking. They will also be prepared to learn about other types of pronouns and their specific uses.
Common Misconception 1
A common misconception is that intensive pronouns and reflexive pronouns are the same. This is incorrect because reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject of the sentence and are necessary for the sentence’s meaning, whereas intensive pronouns are used for emphasis and can be removed without altering the sentence’s meaning.
Intervention 1
To address this misconception, provide students with side-by-side examples of sentences using intensive and reflexive pronouns. Engage students in activities where they identify and correct the misuse of these pronouns.
Common Misconception 2
Another misconception is that intensive pronouns should be used frequently to make writing more emphatic. This is incorrect as overusing intensive pronouns can make writing seem forced and unnatural.
Intervention 2
To remediate this, teach students to recognize when emphasis is needed and when it is not. Provide editing exercises where students revise sentences to reduce the overuse of intensive pronouns.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should have a basic understanding of personal pronouns and their uses in sentences. They should also be familiar with the concept of pronoun-antecedent agreement.
Subsequent Knowledge
After mastering intensive pronouns, students will be able to enhance their writing by using pronouns effectively for emphasis. They will also be prepared to learn about reflexive pronouns and their distinct uses.
Instructional Activities
- Create sentences using intensive pronouns and share them with a partner.
- Identify intensive pronouns in a passage from a book or article.
- Write a short story or personal narrative that includes intensive pronouns.
- Participate in a peer review activity to give and receive feedback on the use of intensive pronouns.
- Complete a worksheet that differentiates between intensive and reflexive pronouns.
