1.1.1 Contractions with the Verb Be (Affirmative) Lesson Plan

subject pronouns lesson plan
Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8, K-3

In BrainPOP ELL’s first movie, Hi, I’m Ben (L1U1L1), Ben introduces students to his friends using subject pronouns, the verb  to be, and its contractions. In this lesson plan, adaptable for grades K-8, ELL/ESL students perform “contraction surgery,” a fun, hands-on activity to practice making contractions.

Lesson Plan Common Core State Standards Alignments

Students will:

  1. Match the full form of pronoun + be with their contractions.
  2. Construct contractions from conjugations of the verb to be.
  3. Describe images in simple sentences using contractions with the verb to be.

Materials:

Vocabulary:

I’m, he’s, she’s, it’s, we’re, you’re, they’re

Preparation:

1. Prepare index cards with conjugations of the verb to be: I am, You are, He is, She is, It is, We are, You are, They are, or allow students to make their own index cards.
2. Gather images that illustrate the different pronouns. Make sure to have multiple examples for he,she, it, and they (all masculine, all feminine, and mixed).

Lesson Procedure:

  1. Identify Pronouns. Watch the Pronouns section of Grammar from the movie Hi, I’m Ben (L1U1L1). During a repeated viewing, invite volunteers to the front of the class and instruct them to point to classmates to illustrate each pronoun, after Ben does. Differentiate instruction for an extra challenge by showing the Grammar section from Hi, I’m Ben (L1U1L1) without sound or closed captioning. Instruct students to say the pronouns instead of Ben.Note: Check if any parents can donate surgical gloves, masks, etc., to make it even more fun.
  2. Using contractions of to be, ask students to describe an image, such as the Images of the four BrainPOP ELL Characters or images illustrating other pronouns. For example: They’re friends.

Related Movies
BrainPOP ELL Movies:
It Isn't a Flower!
Who is a Magician?
BrainPOP Movies:
Contractions
BrainPOP JR Movies:
Contractions

Related:

    Filed as:  1.1.1 - Pronouns and Be, 3-5, 6-8, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.1c, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.2d, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.1b, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.2a, Contractions, English, K-3, Personal Pronouns, Pronouns, Verbs