1. ESL Lesson Plans
  2. Elementary

Subject and object pronouns

Free
Low-resource ESL lesson plan
Elementary/A2
Low-resource ESL lesson plan
Grammar
Low-resource ESL lesson plan
45-60 min
Low-resource ESL lesson plan
Low-Resource
Print pdf version of this low-resource ESL lesson plan
Download lesson plan

Overview

In this ESL lesson plan for elementary-level students, we aim to teach the differences between subject and object pronouns. By the end of this session, students will have a better understanding of these pronouns, allowing for clearer and more precise conversations.

We start by offering a suggested boardwork task that shows one way to introduce the target language. Then, students will engage in several low-resource classroom activities. These activities will challenge them on the newly grammar point and encourage them to work together. Finally, we'll end the lesson with a fun classroom game that reinforces the day's learning objectives.

Lesson Outline
Activities
Low-resource ESL lesson plan
Boardwork
1Gap-fill
2More practice
3A little help
Games
1Charades
Print pdf version of this low-resource ESL lesson plan
Download Lesson Plan
Unlock this low-resource ESL lesson plan
Become a Member

Classroom activities

Low-resource ESL lesson plan

Use of the board

The students review the functional differences between subject and object pronouns.

The board work below illustrates one way to introduce subject and object pronouns in the ESL classroom. Begin by writing a basic sentence on the board and eliciting the subject and object pronouns. Then elicit a list of subject pronouns along with their corresponding object pronouns.

EFL - ESL Lead-in activity for elementary | Subject and object pronouns

Low-resource ESL activity

Gap-fill and translation

A writing activity where students have to complete the sentences with an object pronoun and translate it to their native language.

Start by adding the following to the board:

  1. They always buy ___ sweets. = L1(Student's first language)
  2. She never helps me with ___ homework. = L1
  3. I sometimes make ___ breakfast. = L1
  4. We like to bring ___ to the zoo. = L1
  5. You never help ___ with my homework. = L1
  6. We see ___ every day. = L1

Tell the students to work individually to fill in the gaps and translate the statement into their L1. Once they have completed the exercise, they should compare their sentences and translations with a partner. There are multiple correct answers for some of these so their answers should be different.

Low-resource ESL activity idea

More practice

The students have to apply what they have learned about the target grammar in this gap-fill task.

Add the following style of gap-fill exercise to the board and have the students complete it individually:

  1. John is my friend, I really like _____. (John)
  2. I hope they invite _____ to the party. (Paul and Jane)
  3. I enjoyed listening to _____. (a song)
  4. Did you help _____ with _____ homework. (Marie)
  5. I hope they let _____ play, we're the best players.

When finished, they should compare their answers with a partner.

Low-resource ESL activity idea

A little help from my friends

For this activity, the students have to make use of subject and object pronouns when writing about their friends.

Tell the class that they will have to write a paragraph about their friends and best friend. They should make use of the object pronouns me/him/her/them. If they find this task difficult, you can always do an example on the board.

Classroom games

Low-resource ESL classroom game

Charades: What happened?

Students have to act out a scenario based on a statement containing subject and object pronouns. 

On each turn, one or more students will come to the front of the class to act out a scenario based on a statement containing subject and object pronouns. If you want, you could demo this with another student first. Some examples to get you going: 

  1. They gave them hamburgers. 
  2. He sold her a car. 
  3. She stole his football. 
  4. They listened to their song/band. 
  5. We ate their food. 
  6. I went to their party.