This Real Grammar KS2 resources pack provides everything that you need to successfully explore the grammatical difference between plural and possessive -s with pupils in Year 4 or to revisit this learning. The use of apostrophes to show possession, using -s or -es to create plurals and irregular plural nouns are revisited during this teaching sequence. Teaching slides, worksheets, games and an opportunity to apply the new learning in a writing task are all included.
Pupils will need to be familiar with apostrophes used for both singular and plural possession and plurals before exploring the grammatical difference between the two using the resources provided.
What are plurals?
A plural noun has the suffix -s or -es added to show there is more than one of the object.
When there is only one item, this is singular.
The noun cake is singular (only one cake).
- I have eaten all the cakes.
The noun cakes is plural (more than one cake).
When nouns end in x, sh, s, ss, ch, tch or z, the suffix -es is added and ceates an extra syllable (or beat) to the word.
The noun box is singular (only one box).
The noun boxes is plural (more than one box).
Some plural nouns are irregular. The noun changes when written as a plural.
- There was a mouse in the kitchen.
The noun mouse is singular (only one mouse).
- There were mice in the kitchen.
The noun mice is plural (more than one mouse).
Other examples or irregular plural nouns include:
- goose/geese
- man/men
- woman/women
- person/people
- cactus/cacti
What is possession?
Possession is ownership of something. Possession is shown in writing with an apostrophe.
Singular possession
Singular possession is when an apostrophe is used to show when something belongs to one person. This is first introduced in Year 2.
This is an example of singular possession as the cat is owned by one person (Mia).
Plural possession
Plural possession is when an apostrophe is used to show when something belongs to more than one person.
- These are the children’s lunchboxes.
The word ‘children’ is an irregular plural noun so ‘s is added to show possession.
- Park in the visitors’ parking space.
The word ‘visitors’ is plural (there is more than one visitor) so an apostrophe is added to the end of the word. The -s is not needed.
These are examples of plural possession as more than one person owns something (lunchboxes and parking spaces).
What is included in this resource pack?
This pack is divided into five parts:
TEACH
This section includes PowerPoint teaching slides and teaching notes with an optional script to introduce the grammatical difference between plural and possessive ‘s’. It can also be used to revisit this aspect of grammar with pupils.
PRACTISE
An independent activity for pupils to practise using what they have been taught, allowing teachers to assess understanding.
REVISIT
A series of short, 10-minute activities that can be used following the TEACH session to revisit and rehearse what has been taught. These may be short writing tasks, grammar games or editing/proofreading activities.
APPLY
A short writing task where pupils can use the grammar skills taught in context to produce independent writing.
REVISE
Five SATs style test questions, including cloze activities and multiple choice quiz questions, based on the grammar that has been taught.
Teachers can choose which section of the resource pack to use according to their pupils’ needs and could use the activities over a series of lessons or weeks
Teacher notes are provided to show how these quality resources could be used with pupils.
How is this resource pack differentiated?
The PRACTISE and REVISE sections include three activities differentiated for three levels of ability:
- Worksheet 1 for pupils who may need support. Questions will have a lower cognitive domain (what is being asked of pupils) and/or vocabulary used may be simplified where possible.
- Worksheet 2 for pupils working at age related expectations.
- Worksheet 3 for pupils who may need an additional challenge and may be working at a greater depth in this area. Questions will have a higher cognitive domain with more challenging vocabulary.
SUPPORT and CHALLENGE ideas are also included in the teacher notes of each section where relevant, with ideas of how to support pupils working towards the expected standard or at greater depth in this area.
What pupil-facing resources are included?
- APPLY
Planning sheet, images of endangered species
- REVISE
PPT slides; Revise 1, Revise 2 and Revise 3 worksheets
Answer sheets for all worksheets are provided, where appropriate.