Possessive Apostrophes — Year 4 Lesson Plan
National Curriculum: English Appendix 2 — Punctuation: apostrophes to mark singular and plural possession (Year 4)
Overview
Pupils learn to use the apostrophe to show possession, distinguishing clearly between singular and plural possessives. They practise applying the rule consistently in their writing and develop the ability to spot and correct errors in apostrophe use.
Learning Objectives
- Explain what the possessive apostrophe shows.
- Use the apostrophe correctly for singular possession.
- Apply the rule for plural possession (nouns ending in -s).
- Distinguish between possessive apostrophes and apostrophes for contraction.
Key Vocabulary
Suggested Lesson Structure
Display phrases such as 'the dog of the girl', 'the books of the children'. Ask: can we say these more neatly? Collect ideas. Establish the concept of showing belonging.
Teach the rule: singular noun → add 's (the girl's dog). Plural noun already ending in s → add apostrophe only (the girls' bags). Irregular plural → add 's (the children's books). Contrast with contractions to prevent confusion. Use visual examples and non-examples.
Pupils rewrite a set of 'of the' phrases using possessive apostrophes. Include singular, regular plural, and irregular plural examples. Mark together and discuss errors.
Pupils write sentences about a classroom scene or story, correctly using possessive apostrophes for at least six different nouns.
Spot the error: display four sentences with apostrophe mistakes. Pupils identify and correct them, explaining their reasoning.
Common Misconceptions
- Pupils add an apostrophe to all words ending in 's', including simple plurals ('cat's' instead of 'cats').
- Confusing possessive 'its' (no apostrophe) with 'it's' (contraction of 'it is').
- Adding apostrophe-s after a plural noun already ending in s ('the dogs's') rather than just the apostrophe.
Prior Knowledge
Pupils should already be able to:
- Knowledge of singular and plural nouns.
- Familiarity with apostrophes for contractions.
- Ability to identify nouns in a sentence.
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