South Dakota ELA 6.L.1
The Standard
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking; retain and further develop language skills learned in previous grades. Ensure that pronouns are in the proper case (subjective, objective, and possessive). Use intensive pronouns (e.g., myself, ourselves, etc.). Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person. Recognize and correct vague pronouns (i.e., ones with unclear or ambiguous antecedents). Recognize variations from standard English in their own and others' writing and speaking and identify and use strategies to improve expression in conventional language.
South Dakota English Language Arts Standards (2025)
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students choose pronouns that fit their job as subject, object, or owner. They use words like ourselves for emphasis and keep pronoun number and person steady. They clarify unclear references and revise nonstandard forms when a setting calls for conventional English.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student chooses I, me, or my based on its job and writes, 'We ourselves checked the results,' for emphasis. They replace she with a name when two people could be meant. They keep pronouns consistent through a paragraph and revise a spoken sentence for a class presentation.
Common Misconceptions
- Students write 'between you and I' because they think I always sounds more correct. They use myself in place of me or switch from 'a student' to 'you' midparagraph. They may leave she unclear when two people are named or assume a familiar spoken form fits a class presentation.
How to Assess It
- Ask students to rewrite: 'Me and Tia planned it ourselves. When Tia told Lena she was ready, she smiled. A student should check your work.' Have them fix pronoun case and the shift to your, then name who each she means.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs cards labeled I, me, my, and myself; have them place each in a subject, object, ownership, or emphasis sentence frame.
Write 'When Ana told Bea she won, she cheered' on the board; ask who each she names and have students rewrite it twice.
Play an edit race using 'Each player brought your glove' and 'That trophy is her'; teams correct both and name the errors.
Write and rehearse a two-sentence club announcement, then replace any nonstandard pronouns before reading it to a partner.
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