If you’re looking for some of the best possessive adjective (my, our, your, his, their, her, and its) and possessive pronoun (my,mine, our,ours, its, his, her, hers, their,theirs, your andyours) activities and games for ESL, then you’re in the right place! Keep on reading for our top ESL possessives activities, along with worksheets, lesson plans and online practice recommendations.
ESL possessive pronoun and adjective activities
Possessive Adjectives ESL Activities and Games
Are you ready to get into the best possessives games and activities for English learners? You can check them out right here.
#1: Is it True?
Make up some cards with possessive adjectives, nouns, and predicates. Then, put students into groups of four and they have to arrange the cards to make as many true sentences as possible about at least one of their group members. At the end of the allotted time, the team with the most true sentences is the winner.
#2: Same or Different
Put students into pairs and give them a topic. For example, hobbies, food or family. Then, instruct them to find out three things that are the same and three things that are different. For example, if you use family as the topic:
Same (1 brother, lives with 4 people, has a cat)
Different (has a dog/no dog, 4 living grandparents/3, loves playing sports/likes watching TV)
Then, each group has to make a short presentation to the rest of the class using as many possessives as possible. For example:
Our families both have 4 people living with us and include 1 brother. Our families also have one cat. His family has a dog, but I don’t have one. My family includes 4 living grandparents, but he only had 3. My family loves playing sports, but his likes to watch TV.
#3: Possessive Videos
One of the ways that I like to spice things up a little bit in my TEFL classes is to use videos. There are just so many good ones! In some cases, instead of explaining to my students about possessive pronouns, I’ll put on a short video that does it even better. Or, I may have students watch a video to pick out all the examples of possessives that they hear.
Whatever the case, just be sure to design some challenging activities to use along with the video. Here are the best ideas for that:
Using ESL/EFL Videos in the Classroom.
#4: Proof-Reading and Editing (Focus on Possessives)
One of the activities I like to do with this grammar point is to have my students do some proof-reading and editing. I prepare a short passage with lots of errors related to possessive pronouns and adjectives. Of course, some cases of this are correct!
Then, students have to go through the passage to find the errors and finally, compare with the error free version. It makes an excellent review activity for the end of class, as a homework assignment, or for review at the beginning of the next class. Learn more about it here:
ESL Proof-Reading Activity.
#5: Flashcard Sentences
In our opinion, flashcards are one of the most versatile English teaching tools, but they’re also under utilized for whatever reason. They certainly are ideal for beginners and there are a ton of activities you can do with them.
In this case, a very simple thing you can do is to show a card to a student and have them make a sentence with a possessive. For example:
- Bag (His bag is blue.)
- T-shirt (Her t-shirt is green).
- Pencil (I have 3 pencils in my pencil case).
#6: Dialogue Substitution
Have you ever noticed that when students read a passage in ESL textbooks, they just kind of do it mindlessly? And of course, it’s not really their fault. It’s just that they don’t really have a reason to read carefully.
Instead, try taking out the possessives so that students will have the challenge of reading, as well as dealing with meaning. It’s a simple trick but it’s kind of a game-changer in terms of learning. Find out more about doing this here:
Dialogue Substitution ESL Reading Activity.
#7: Clothing Activities and Possessives
If you find a unit on possessive adjectives or adjectives in ESL textbooks, it’s often combined with clothing. There are just so many possibilities for sentences students can make. For example:
- Whose shirt is this? It’s mine.
- His pants are green. Hers are blue.
If you want to see some of our top recommendations for activities you can use for this unit, be sure to check out the following:
ESL Clothing Games and Activities.
#8: Dictogloss
#9: Possessive Songs and Chants
I’m all about using fun English songs for kids to teach things like possessive adjectives. There are lots of great options of YouTube so just have a look around.
#10: Give me Something!
Put students into groups of 4 and have them each secretly gather 2 personal things from their bag of pencil case. It could be an eraser, key, etc. Then, put all the items into the centre of the table.
Students can take turns asking each other, “Is this pencil yours?” No, it’s not mine. I think it’s his.” And so on it goes until all the objects’ owners have been identified.
#11: English Grammar Activities
ESL possessives are relatively simple but they do have a few grammar rules that students will need to master in order to become proficient in them. The best way to help our students out with new grammar is to introduce a variety of practice opportunities. After all, it’s only through practicing a language that you become proficient.
For almost 20 fun, engaging and student-centred grammar activities you can use in your TEFL classes, be sure to check out the following:
ESL Grammar Activities and Games.
#12: Error Correction Relay Race
Possessive Adjective Worksheets
Do your ESL/EFL students need some additional practice opportunities with this grammar point? Here are some of our top worksheet recommendations:
Possessive Pronoun Worksheets
If you want to save yourself a ton of time, then just print off some of these lesson plans and you’ll be good to go. Seriously. It’s just so easy so check out some of our favourite resources right here:
Possessives ESL Lesson Plans
Okay, we know that you’re busy and don’t necessarily want to plan all your lessons from scratch. Are we right there? The good news is that there are a ton of ready made lesson plans that you can just print and go.
Possessive Pronoun Games
Online Practice for Possessive Adjectives
Do you want to give your students some opportunities for more practice with possessive adjectives? Consider recommending some of the following online resources to them:
Online Practice for Possessive Pronouns
Do you want to recommend some extra practice for your students? Here are the best games and practice sessions for possessive pronouns you can find online:
Did you like these Games and Activities for Teaching Possessives?
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Bolen, Jackie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 87 Pages - 10/24/2019 (Publication Date)
Yes? Thought so! Then the book you’re going to love is this one over on Amazon: 39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Grammar Activities. The key to better English classes is a variety of engaging, interesting and student-centred activities and this book will help you do that in style!
You can get this ESL grammar activity idea book in both digital and print formats. You can read the e-version on any device by downloading the free Kindle reading app. Then, take it with you to the library or your favourite coffee shop for a serious dose of lesson planning.
Or, keep a copy on the bookshelf in your office and use it as a handy reference guide for doing lesson plans. It really is that easy!
Does it sound like exactly what you might need to level up your English grammar teaching game? Then, head over to Amazon to pick up a copy for yourself:
Have your Say about these ESL Possessive Pronouns and Adjectives
What do you think about these ESL games and activities to work on possessives? Did you try out one of them from this list, or do you have another that you’d like to recommend? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We’d love to hear from you.
Also be sure to give this article a share on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. It’ll help other busy English teachers, like yourself find this useful teaching resource.
Last update on 2022-07-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
FAQs
How do you teach possessive adjectives to ESL students? ›
One of the best ways to teach possessive adjectives in a fun way is to have your students interact with their environment. For example, you could ask a student to pick up their favorite object around them and ask them to describe it using the appropriate possessive adjective.
How do you teach possessive nouns fun? ›And then they're going to highlight the words that make up the possessive noun so like i was say
What are possessive pronouns exercise? ›- Is this cup. (your / yours)? ...
- The coffee is. (my / mine). ...
- That coat is. (my / mine). ...
- He lives in. (her / hers) house. ...
- You might want. (your / yours) phone. ...
- The new car is. (their / theirs). ...
- She cooked. (our / ours) food. ...
- Don't stand on.
For example my friend the possessive adjective my qualifies the noun friend.
How do you teach possessive pronouns for beginners? ›Students pass an object around in a circle. On passing the object, the first student says, 'it's mine. ' The following student takes the thing and passes it on, saying, 'it's yours. ' The next student takes the object, passes it, and says, 'it's his.
What is a possessive adjective ESL? ›Possessive adjectives - my, your, his, her, its, our, your, their - modify the noun following it in order to show possession. Examples: I'll get my bag.
How do speech therapists teach possessive nouns? ›- Use Possessive 's to Identify Possession of Physical Objects. ...
- Use Possessive 's to Identify Possession in Pictures. ...
- Use Possessive 's to Identify Possession in Response to Questions Throughout The Day.
A possessive noun is a noun that shows ownership, usually identified by 's. For example, in the phrase the student's notes, the word student's is a possessive noun, showing that the notes belong to the student.
How do you teach possessive nouns to second graders? ›Grade 2 - Possessive Nouns - YouTube
What are the 10 examples of possessive pronoun? ›Possessive pronouns include my, mine, our, ours, its, his, her, hers, their, theirs, your and yours. These are all words that demonstrate ownership.
What is difference between possessive pronoun and possessive adjective? ›
Possessive adjectives also clarify who or what owns something. Unlike possessive pronouns—which replace nouns—possessive adjectives go before nouns to modify them.
What is possessive adjectives with examples? ›Examples of possessive adjectives include his, her, my, its, your and their. Examples of possessive pronouns include mine, yours, his, hers and theirs.
What is the basic rule for a possessive adjective? ›A possessive adjective is an adjective that modifies a noun by identifying who has ownership or possession of it. For example, in the sentence Andrew lost his keys the word his is a possessive adjective that indicates the keys belong to Andrew.
How do I teach his or her? ›Once your child can use “he” and “she” in simple phrases, have your child create sentences using “he” and “she”. Show your child pictures of people doing this and have him describe what that person is doing using “he” or “she” (such as “she is riding her bike”).
What are the 6 possessive adjectives? ›- Possessive Adjectives.
- (my, your, his, her, its, our, their)
- and Demonstrative Words.
- (this, that, these, those)
It's a good idea to teach possessive pronouns together with possessive adjectives. Teacher: Yes, that book is mine. (Make sure to accent 'yours' and 'mine') Alessandro ask Jennifer about her pencil. Student 1: Is that pencil yours?
How do you teach possessive pronouns in Grade 3? ›Possessive Pronouns | English Grammar & Composition Grade 3
How do you present possessive adjectives? ›...
Possessives: adjectives.
Subject | Object | Possessive adjective |
---|---|---|
I | me | my |
you | you | your |
he | him | his |
she | her | her |
Pronouns are words that take the place of nouns. We often use them to avoid repeating the nouns that they refer to. Pronouns have different forms for the different ways we use them. Read clear grammar explanations and example sentences to help you understand how pronouns are used.
What are the functions of possessive adjectives? ›Possessive adjectives are used to show possession or ownership of something. While we use them when we refer to people, it is more in the sense of relationship than ownership. The possessive adjective needs to agree with the possessor and not with the thing that is possessed.
How do you teach object pronouns? ›
Knowing that object pronouns generally follow verbs, discuss which pronouns come before and after the verbs within the sentences you've written on the board. Once students recognize the differences, explain that object pronouns generally follow verbs. Also, point out that subject pronouns begin sentences.
When should a child use possessives? ›Acquisition of the possessive –s is variable in young children, according to most norms it should be acquired by 3 years and 2 months. The possessive –'s is typically acquired after the plural s (as in cats, dogs, toys) but before the third person singular (as in walks, talks, runs).
How do I teach I vs my? ›This provides a great non-verbal cue for the child to understand who you are referring to and what each pronoun represents. Point to yourself for “I” and tap your child's chest for “you.” When you are modeling what, you want your child to say, take his/her hand and use it to pat their own chest for “I” or “my.”
How do you explain S to a child? ›- Place a mirror in front of your child so that she can see this. ...
- The tip of the tongue is placed behind your front teeth by the ridgey part on the roof of the mouth. ...
- If your child is making a whistle sound with the S have her lower the tongue tip to the middle or down below the teeth.
- • Rule 1: To form the possessive of a singular noun, add an. apostrophe and s ('s) = car = car's.
- • Rule 2: To form the possessive of a plural noun ending in s, add only an apostrophe (')= dogs = dogs'
- • Rule 3: To form the possessive of a plural noun that does. not end in s, add an apostrophe and s ('s) = mice =
They're perfectly grammatical. The double possessive, usually using both of and 's to demonstrate possession, is grammatical. While it is sometimes unnecessary, it can be helpful for differentiating when the possessive (or genitive) case is about association or ownership, such as in "a picture of my friend" vs.
How do you teach possessive or plural? ›- Teach the possessive apostrophe rule: "If a noun is plural and ends in s, then add an apostrophe to the end; otherwise, add apostrophe then an s." This sounds a bit awkward at first, but it always works. ...
- Apply the rule to each sentence. ...
- Practice until the kids can repeat the rule aloud on their own.
Tell kids that possessive nouns show ownership. When a word ends with an apostrophe and an s, that person, place, or thing owns something. Explain that the singular or plural noun must first be written in its entirety. Then you add the possessive ending.
How do you use apostrophes for kids? ›An apostrophe is used for one of two reasons: To signify possession (the dog's tail, the boy's trousers). When the owners of the item are plural, the apostrophe goes AFTER the plural s (the dogs' tails, the boys' trousers). To show that a letter has been omitted – so can't (instead of cannot), don't (instead of do not)
What is an example of a plural possessive noun? ›Plural possessive nouns: Plural possessive nouns add an apostrophe and the suffix “s” to a word to indicate possession. Examples of plural possessive nouns include “the Smiths' house” and “horses' hooves.”
How do you describe a possessive adjective? ›
A possessive adjective is an adjective that modifies a noun by identifying who has ownership or possession of it. For example, in the sentence Andrew lost his keys the word his is a possessive adjective that indicates the keys belong to Andrew.
What is possessive adjectives with examples? ›Examples of possessive adjectives include his, her, my, its, your and their. Examples of possessive pronouns include mine, yours, his, hers and theirs.
How do I teach his or her? ›Once your child can use “he” and “she” in simple phrases, have your child create sentences using “he” and “she”. Show your child pictures of people doing this and have him describe what that person is doing using “he” or “she” (such as “she is riding her bike”).
What is the difference between possessive adjectives and pronouns? ›A possessive adjective is always followed by a noun. Examples are: your phone, my brother, his dog etc. A possessive pronoun is used without a noun. Examples are: his, hers, yours, theirs, ours, mine etc.
What is the rule of possessive pronoun? ›Possessive pronouns can either be used in place of a noun in a sentence or stand on their own. Unlike possessive adjectives, they will not appear before a noun or within a noun phrase.
What are 5 examples of possessive? ›- The kids are yours and mine.
- The house is theirs and its paint is flaking.
- The money was really theirs for the taking.
- We shall finally have what is rightfully ours.
- Their mother gets along well with yours.
- What's mine is yours, my friend.
- The dog is mine.
- The cat is yours.
We use possessive adjectives to express who owns (or 'possesses') something. A possessive adjective is used in front of a noun (a thing).
What is the relationship between possessive adjectives and possessive pronouns? ›As their names imply, both possessive adjectives and possessive pronouns show ownership. The independent possessive pronouns are mine, ours, yours, his, hers, its, and theirs. The possessive adjectives, also called possessive determiners, are my, our, your, his, her, its, and their.
How do you use possessive adjectives and possessive pronouns? ›Using Possessive Pronouns and Adjectives
A possessive adjective is usually used to describe a noun, and it comes before it, like other adjectives: My car is bigger than her car. Remember: There are no apostrophes in possessive pronouns and adjectives.
Possessive adjectives are my, your, his, her, its, our, their.
How do you introduce pronouns to students? ›
Teaching Pronouns Using a Chair - YouTube
How do you teach his and her to kids? ›Start by pointing onto pictorial representation of a boy or girl and ask "Is it a boy or girl". Try using animated or cartooned pictorial representations as they are more defining than actual people, practice this until your child is fully aware.
How do you teach a child to say their name? ›Slowing down their name a bit will help make it easier for your child to say. And, by repeating this game and saying “What's your name?”, your child will eventually be able to anticipate what comes next: their name! Overtime, they'll be able to participate, by saying their name on their own.
Is this your umbrella change into possessive pronoun? ›Answer: Is this umbrella your's?
How do you identify a pronoun? ›Definition. A pronoun (I, me, he, she, herself, you, it, that, they, each, few, many, who, whoever, whose, someone, everybody, etc.) is a word that takes the place of a noun. In the sentence Joe saw Jill, and he waved at her, the pronouns he and her take the place of Joe and Jill, respectively.
Do possessive pronouns have apostrophes? ›2. Do not use an apostrophe in the possessive pronouns its, whose, his, hers, ours, yours, and theirs. Incorrect: Each area has it's own conference room.