• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Punctuation between clauses (SAT/ACT); Apostrophes for possession). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which shows possession correctly? the tail of the dog (the dog tail's / the dog's tail / the dogs' tail / the dogs tail) → the dog's tailPrompt: Who is the owner? One owner or more than one?
2. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The festival, which began in ___ now draws visitors from around the world. (1950 / 1950, / 1950; / 1950:) → 1950,Prompt: Are the parts on each side complete main clauses?
3. Choose the correct word. Read the clue in brackets. The fox hurt ___ paw. (belongs to it) (its' / it's / its) → itsPrompt: Does the word show ownership, a contraction, or just a plural?

• Read a short passage with no punctuation and let the class hear why it's confusing.
• Share the objective: Possessives, plurals and non-essential elements (SAT). Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The ___ decision to lower ticket prices doubled attendance.
• Step 1: Use 's for singular possessives, s' for plural possessives ending in s, and no apostrophe for plain plurals. Essential (restrictive) names take no commas.
• Step 2: One owner possesses the noun that follows: 's.
• Step 3: Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "The museum's decision to lower ticket prices doubled attendance."
• Step 4: So the answer is: museum's
• Answer: museum's
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The ___ largest moon, Ganymede, is bigger than the planet Mercury. (solar-systems / solar systems / solar systems' / solar system's) → solar system'sPrompt: Does the word show possession, or is it simply plural?
2. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The ___ decision to lower ticket prices doubled attendance. (museums / museum's / museums' / museum) → museum'sPrompt: Does the word show possession, or is it simply plural?

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The ___ findings were published in a leading journal last spring. (researcher's / researchers's / researchers / researchers') → researchers'Prompt: Does the word show possession, or is it simply plural?
2. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Each of the ___ wings is covered in tiny scales that reflect light. (butterflys' / butterflies's / butterflies / butterfly's) → butterfly'sPrompt: Does the word show possession, or is it simply plural?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-11.