English Grammar Lesson Plan: Pronoun and Antecedent Agreement

Teaching Grammar to Middle and High School Students

Kristin Bird

Lesson Plan Objectives:

1. Students will be able to identify the difference between singular and plural noungs.
2. Students will be able to use the correct antecedent with any noun.
3. Studetns will be able to use their knowledge in speaking as well as writing.

Lesson Plan Materials Needed:

Overhead projector
Transparencies
Notecards with Pronoun/Antecedent Pairs

Lesson Plan Procedure:

Put the definitions of a pronoun and an antecedent on the overhead and read them. (Pronoun = word that is substituted for a noun or noun equivalent. Antecedent = word, phrase, or clause that has the characteristics of a noun (person, place or thing) and is referred to by a pronoun)

As students to give examples of pronouns and antecedents. Explain the importance of pronoun and antecedent agreement.

Correct the sample sentences on the overhead (see below). Have students volunteer the correct answer.

Explain the antecedents found on the overhead. Note which are singular and which are plural.

Before class, create pairs of notecards that contain antecedents and pronoun pairs. Hand out the notecards during class and have the students pair up by matching the correct antecedent or pronoun with the correct noun.

Have the partners write sentences using the words on their cards and share them with the class noting the pronoun or antecdent agreement.

Lesson Plan Follow-Up Activities:

Have the students write poems based on one pronoun and its agreeing antecedent. The poems can be funny or serious.

Bring newspaper and magazines to class, and ask the students to find correct and incorrect pronoun/antecedent agreement.

Do a follow-up lesson on subject/verb agreement.

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Sample Sentences a

Example: Mary saw John and spoke to him.

(John is the antecedent. Him is the pronoun.)

1. The members of the choir lost its / their voices two days before the spring concert.

2. Minne, Sandra Bullock's cat, was hit by a car last week and broke her / its leg.

3. The volleyball team got lost on its / their way back from the championship game.

4. The union workers went on strike to get a raise in its / their wages.

5. Natalie and Ben went to his / her / their / its first prom last weekend.

6. The black lab jumped into the pook and his / her / its claws scratched the lining.


Published by Kristin Bird

Kristin has a background in literature, grammar, and education. She spends her time as a wife, mother, friend, and teacher. Her passion for research and writing have led her to be very successful in the fr...  View profile

  • Explain the importance of pronoun and antecedent agreement.
  • A pronoun is word that is substituted for a noun or noun equivalent.
  • An antecedent is a word or phrase that has the qualities of a noun and is referred to by a pronoun.

3 Comments

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  • jhovie mahayag5/19/2010

    The lesson is very easy in a way that is very understandable to children. The activity is exciting for the students as well. thank you for sharing to us this lesson plan.

  • Anonymous3/29/2009

    thank you verry michand please iwantaleson plan uing literature circles

  • Christina 10/3/2007

    These are some really nice activities that help show how to improve your work. Thanks

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