"Whose is this?" and "It's... / They're..."

Teaching the possessive (whose and 's) to YLE is not really my cup of tea. Nevertheless, it has to be taught. So today I am bringing you some ideas to go through this unit if, like me, you find it tough.


1. You can start with a short listening which introduces the key words. Get them to repeat the dialogues, if possible. After having gone through it several times with your pupils it's time to put it into practice. You can also play "The Lost Property" game with a picture.

2. Give your pupils a small piece of white cardboard and tell them to write "It's... (+ name)", let them colour it as they like. Once everyone is ready collect all the pieces.

3. Tell your pupils to stand up and form a line. Separate the chairs (without moving them) from the tables and play a song. when the song finishes they have to choose a chair, which will be the one they'll have until the end of the course). Tell them to look around and memorize where are their classmates.

4. Tell them to stand up, again. Shuffle the small pieces of carboard and give one to each pupil (they can't show them!). Randomly choose a chair and ask "Whose chair is this?". The pupil with the right name shouts "It's X"! If it is correct, give him a piece of stiky tape and ask him/her to hang it on the back side of the chair. Keep on until all the students have done it.

5. Ask your students to take one out of their pencilcase. Tell them it is a secret, so nobody can see it. Once they all have their item, tell them to close their eyes and leave it on the table; pick up all the objects and hide them. Tell them to open the eyes and show something which belongs to you (example, a chalk holder), and ask "Whose is this?". Together they have to guess who is the owner and shout it our "It's...X". Carry on with the rest of the objects.

6. Reading time: Grandma's glasses.
Required material: "Grandma's glasses" book, a set of photocopies of each character (Grandma, grandpa, mum, Harry, Scarp and Megan). Hold the characters' faces on the blackboard (you can use BlueTack), then draw they objects they found in the story (pen, glasses, bone, shoe...). Use small pieces of cardboard to make a set of "It's Harry's... It's Mum's..."
Now you are ready to read the story; go through it with your pupils, you can promote feedback by asking "Where was/were...?" after each chapter. Once you reach the end of the story (about to find Grandma's glasses) ask them where do they think they are; were they right?
Tell them to look at the blackboard and ask them "Whose pen is this?", using the cards let them guess the answers ("Is this Grandpa's? No!", "Is this Megan's? No!", "Is this Grandma's? Yes!). Hold the correct card next to the correct object on the blackboard.