Exploring Reflexive Pronouns

Introduction

• Write the following sentence on the board:
  • The little boy saw himself in the water.
• Call on a student to read the sentence aloud and circle the subject of the sentence.
• Remind students that the subject of a sentence is who or what the sentence is about.
• Explain to the students that today they will be learning about a part of speech called reflexive pronouns. Write the words "reflexive pronouns" on the board. Tell students that a reflexive pronoun is a pronoun that refers back to the subject of the sentence. Explain that reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object of the sentences are the same.
• Circle the word himself in the sentence you wrote on the board. Explain to students that himself, the object, is also referring to the boy.
• Tell students that reflexive pronouns can also be used to emphasize the subject.
• Write the next sentence on the board:
  • The girl will pick up the toys herself.
• Explain to students that the word herself emphasizes that the girl will do the job on her own.
• Ask students to raise their hands if they have heard or read a reflexive pronoun before. Remind students that learning to recognize and use new parts of speech will help them become better readers.
• Tell students that they can use the image of a mirror to think about reflexive pronouns because a mirror's job is to reflect back to you, just like a reflexive pronoun. Ask the students to stand up and repeat the following choral chant and movement:
  • I (point to self) see (point to eyes) myself (draw a mirror with fingers) reflexive pronoun (clap to the rhythm of the syllables).