Demonstrative Pronouns in English

Objectives

1. Understanding the Differences: Students should be able to differentiate between the use of "this," "that," "these," and "those" in English, identifying when to use each one.
2. Making Correct Sentences: Students should apply the knowledge acquired to make simple and correct sentences in English, using the demonstrative pronouns appropriately.
3. Practical Application: Students should be able to use the learned content in practical situations, such as describing objects and people in the classroom or school, among other everyday situations.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

1. Recalling Necessary Concepts: Start the lesson by reminding students about pronouns in English. Ask questions like: "Do you remember what pronouns are?" and "Can you name some English pronouns?" This will help set the stage for the new topic.

2. Problem-Solving Scenarios: Present two problem-solving situations that demonstrate the need for using demonstrative pronouns. For example:

   • "How would you say 'this book' if you want to refer to a book that is in your hand?"
   • "And if you wanted to say 'that book' about a book that is on the shelf?"

3. Contextualization: Explain the importance of demonstrative pronouns in the English language by showing how they help make communication clearer and more specific. You can mention that in English, there are different ways to say 'this' and 'that' depending on whether you are talking about something close or far, in the singular or plural.

4. Engaging Students' Attention: To spark students' interest, you can share some curiosities about the use of demonstrative pronouns in English. For example:

   • "Did you know that in some languages, like Portuguese, we have a single word for 'this' and 'that,' while in English, there are four different words?"
   • "And that in English, we use 'these' and 'those' to talk about things that are close to us or far from us in the plural, while in Portuguese, we use 'these' and 'those' for things that are close and 'those' for things that are far, regardless of whether they are singular or plural?"

Development (25 - 30 minutes)

1. Demonstrative Pronouns in English: Start by explaining the four main demonstrative pronouns in English: 'this,' 'that,' 'these,' and 'those.' Use clear and simple examples to illustrate each one.

   • 'This' and 'That': Explain that 'this' is used when talking about something that is close to the speaker and 'that' is used when talking about something that is far from the speaker. For example, 'This is my book' (This is my book) and 'That is your book' (That is your book).

   • 'These' and 'Those': Explain that 'these' is used when talking about things that are close to the speaker in the plural and 'those' is used when talking about things that are far from the speaker in the plural. For example, 'These are my books' (These are my books) and 'Those are your books' (Those are your books).

2. Practical Activity: Divide the class into small groups and give each group a set of cards with images of objects and people. Ask them to create sentences using demonstrative pronouns to describe each of the images. For example, if the image is of a pen and the group is using 'this,' the sentence could be: 'This is a pen' (This is a pen). If the image is of several pens and the group is using 'these,' the sentence could be: 'These are pens' (These are pens).

3. Board Game: Play a board game that involves using demonstrative pronouns. For example, you can create a board with different spaces, each representing a situation where a demonstrative pronoun should be used. Students will advance on the board by answering questions or completing tasks related to demonstrative pronouns. The first group to reach the end of the board wins.

4. Group Discussion: After the activities, bring the class together and ask each group to share some of the sentences they created and their strategies for choosing the correct demonstrative pronoun. This will help reinforce the learning and allow students to learn from each other.

Feedback (10 - 15 minutes)

1. Group Discussion: Gather all students and ask each group to share their solutions or conclusions about the practical activities. Each group will have up to 3 minutes to present. During the presentations, encourage other students to ask questions and make comments, promoting an environment of collaborative learning.

2. Connection with Theory: After the presentations, take a moment to connect the practical activities with the theory. Ask students how they decided which demonstrative pronoun to use in each sentence. Highlight the main ideas that emerged during the discussions and reinforce the rules for using demonstrative pronouns.

3. Individual Reflection: Now, ask students to make a brief individual reflection on what they learned in the lesson. You can ask questions like:

   • "What was the most important concept you learned today?"
   • "What questions have not been answered yet?"

4. Feedback and Questions and Answers: After the reflection, ask students to share their answers. This will help you assess the effectiveness of the lesson and identify any gaps in students' understanding. Be open to feedback and answer any questions students may have.

5. Closure: End the lesson by reinforcing the importance of demonstrative pronouns in English communication and encouraging students to practice using them in their daily conversations. You can also give a brief preview of what will be covered in the next lesson to keep students engaged.

Conclusion (5 - 10 minutes)

1. Summary and Recap: Begin the Conclusion by summarizing the key points covered in the lesson. Remind students about the four main demonstrative pronouns in English: 'this,' 'that,' 'these,' and 'those,' and the rules for their use. Emphasize the importance of understanding the difference between 'this' and 'that' (singular) and 'these' and 'those' (plural), and the distinction between things close to the speaker and things far from the speaker.

2. Connection to Practice: Explain how the lesson connected theory with practice. Highlight the activities carried out, such as creating sentences with demonstrative pronouns and the board game, and how they helped solidify students' understanding of the topic. Reinforce that practice is essential for mastering the use of demonstrative pronouns.

3. Extra Materials: Suggest some extra materials for students who want to deepen their understanding of demonstrative pronouns. This could include online exercises, explanatory videos, English learning apps, among others. Encourage students to explore these resources in their free time to reinforce what they learned in class.

4. Relevance of the Topic: End the lesson by explaining the relevance of the topic to students' daily lives. Emphasize that the ability to use demonstrative pronouns correctly is essential for effective communication in English, whether in writing or speaking. Remind them that by mastering this topic, they will be one step closer to becoming proficient in the English language.

5. Closure: Thank the students for their participation and effort during the lesson. Encourage them to continue practicing and to bring any questions or difficulties to the next lesson. Reinforce that learning is a continuous process and that they are making great progress.