Standard: 6.L.1c – Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person.*
Grade level: Grade 6
Subject: English Language Arts
Domain: Language
Teacher Overview
This standard focuses on recognizing and correcting inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person. It is crucial because pronoun consistency is essential for clear and coherent writing. Mastery of this standard will enhance students’ writing and editing skills, making their communication more effective. Students should understand the basic roles of pronouns and be able to identify and use different types of pronouns correctly. They should also be familiar with singular and plural forms, as well as first, second, and third person perspectives.
After mastering this standard, students will be able to apply their understanding of pronouns in more complex writing tasks and be better prepared to identify and correct grammatical errors in their own and others’ writing.
Common Misconception 1
A common misconception is that pronouns can be used interchangeably without regard to number or person. This is incorrect because pronouns must agree with their antecedents in both number and person to maintain clarity and coherence.
Intervention 1
To address this misconception, provide targeted exercises that require students to match pronouns correctly to their antecedents. Peer review sessions can also help students identify and correct errors in pronoun usage.
Common Misconception 2
Another misconception is that pronoun shifts are acceptable as long as the meaning is clear. However, inconsistent pronoun usage can confuse readers and disrupt the flow of writing.
Intervention 2
Use examples and non-examples to illustrate how pronoun shifts can lead to confusion. Encourage students to read their writing aloud to identify and correct pronoun errors.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should have a basic understanding of pronouns, including their function and types (e.g., subject, object, possessive). They should also be familiar with the concepts of number (singular and plural) and person (first, second, third).
Subsequent Knowledge
After mastering this standard, students will be able to apply their understanding of pronouns in more complex writing tasks, such as narrative and expository writing. They will also be better prepared to identify and correct grammatical errors in their own and others’ writing.
Instructional Activities
- Pronoun matching exercises
- Peer review sessions
- Writing and revising short essays
- Reading aloud exercises
- Editing practice with sample texts
