Lessons & Units :: Pronoun Reference Kindergarten, 1st Grade and 2nd Grade Unit

Lesson 1: Pronouns and Nouns

Lesson Plan

Are You My Mother?

Are You My Mother?
Learning Goal
Identify pronouns and the nouns that they refer to.
Duration
Approximately 50 minutes
Necessary Materials
Provided: Example Chart for Direct Teaching and Guided Practice, Independent Practice Worksheet (Older), Independent Practice Worksheet (Younger)
Not Provided: Are You My Mother? by P. D. Eastman, chart paper, markers

  • Teacher Modeling

    will review the definition of a noun (a word that refers to a person, place, or thing) and introduce the definition of a pronoun by explaining that it is a word you can use to replace or substitute for a noun. I will tell a short story that does not use any pronouns. For example: "Yesterday Sue went to the grocery store. Sue bought five apples and three oranges. Sue paid the cashier and went outside. Sue saw one of Sue’s friends and Sue said 'hello.'" I will then point out that the story sounded strange because I did not use any pronouns. I will discuss how I could replace the noun “Sue” with the pronouns “her” or “she” in some of the sentences. I will retell the story again, this time using pronouns when appropriate. I will use Are You My Mother? by P. D. Eastman to model how to identify a pronoun and the noun it refers to. I will read page 3 and identify the pronoun “her.” I will explain that “her” refers to the mother bird. I will add “her” to the pronoun chart (example is provided). I will repeat this with the pronouns “my” and “he” (pg. 5); “I,” “my,” and “she” (pg. 6); “she” (pg. 7); and “it” (pg. 8).

  • Think Check

    Ask: "How did I identify the pronouns in the story?" Students should respond that you looked at words such as he, she, my, her, his, and they and thought about who that word was referring to.

  • Guided Practice

    will read the rest of the book and continue to add pronouns from the book to the chart. We will discuss to whom or what each pronoun refers. We will read the chart of pronouns, brainstorm any other pronouns we know, and add them to our chart.

  • Independent Practice

    will use pronouns to complete the sentences or match a pronoun to the picture that it represents. (Independent Practice Worksheet is provided.)

    TIP: Two versions of the Independent Practice are provided for this lesson; one for students needing pictorial support and one for students who are successfully reading sentences.

Build Student Vocabulary snort

Tier 2 Word: snort
Contextualize the word as it is used in the story The baby bird found a machine that made a noise that sounded like a snort.
Explain the meaning student-friendly definition) A snort is a rough, harsh sound people make when they breathe noisily and forcefully through their noses. The machine made a sound that the bird thought was a snort.
Students repeat the word Say the word snort with me: snort.
Teacher gives examples of the word in other contexts I knew I was in trouble when I told my father that I failed the test; he snorted and told me that he would talk to me about it later. One sound a pig makes is a snort.
Students provide examples Why would someone snort? Start by saying “Someone might snort if _____________.”
Students repeat the word again. What word are we talking about? snort

Build Student Background Knowledge

Before reading Are You My Mother?, explain that mother birds sit on their eggs to keep them warm before the babies hatch. The eggs must stay warm to successfully hatch. All female birds sit on their eggs, no matter what kind of bird it is. Share some pictures of different birds sitting on their eggs, for example, sparrows, turkeys, and chickens.

Texts & Materials

Standards Alignment

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User Comments

Love the story and love the differentiated independent practice!

Submitted by cmcollin_2352744 on 10/22/16

I am excited. This will definitely be very useful.

Submitted by rosemarie_trapp_2325009 on 10/12/16

I'm introducing pronouns this week...what a great idea to use, Are you my Mother?

Submitted by teachgirl72_1227693 on 2/5/15

I plan to use this lesson tomorrow too!

Submitted by kwyman on 11/9/14

The students are learning about pronouns and this would be a good way to reinforce the lesson.

Submitted by debbie.valentour on 11/5/14

We are reviewing pronouns and this is a great way to do quick lessons. I plan to use this lesson tomorrow.

Submitted by Jadarashad on 9/24/14

This looks really good.

Submitted by Diane on 2/6/13

I can't wait to use these activities in my class.

Submitted by Zasha on 10/15/12