Case Crackers Slides CLASSIFIED ELA
Official Case File: PR-06-2026
CASE CRACKERS
The Pronoun Investigation
Join the Pronoun Patrol. Today, we track down subjective, objective, possessive, and intensive pronouns to solve writing mysteries.
PRONOUN CASE & AGREEMENT
6th Grade Grammar Unit
AGENT BRIEFING
1
Case File 1: Subjective vs. Objective
THE SUSPECTS
Subjective Case (The Doers)
These pronouns act as the subject of the sentence. They perform the main action.
SINGULAR
I, you, he, she, it
PLURAL
we, you, they
"She followed the clue to the old library."
Objective Case (The Receivers)
These pronouns act as the object. The action is done to them.
SINGULAR
me, you, him, her, it
PLURAL
us, you, them
"The detective handed the magnifying glass to him."
Pro-Tip: To check compound subjects (e.g., "Detective Jax and [I/me]"), drop the other person to test: "Detective Jax and I solved it" → "I solved it!"
2
Case File 2: Possessive Pronouns
OWNERSHIP
Who owns the evidence?
Possessive pronouns show ownership. They never use apostrophes (no 's ).
The "Its" Trap
ITS = Possessive ("The dog wagged its tail.")IT'S = It is ("It's a tricky case.")
The Possessive Lineup
Used before a noun
• my notebook
• your badge
• his / her / its clue
• our headquarters
• their suspect
Stands alone
• The notebook is mine
• The badge is yours
• The clue is his / hers
• The headquarters is ours
• The suspect is theirs
PRONOUN CASE AND AGREEMENT • CASE FILE 2 CHECK YOUR EVIDENCE CAREFULLY!
3
Case File 3: Intensive Pronouns
EMPHASIS ONLY
The Spotlight Pronoun
Intensive pronouns are used to add emphasis to a noun or another pronoun. They point right back to it like a flashlight.
They end in -self (singular) or -selves (plural).
The Disappearing Test
If you remove an intensive pronoun from the sentence, the sentence still makes perfect sense!
Evidence Chart
"The Mayor herself handed me the badge."
→ Remove it: "The Mayor handed me the badge." (Still works!)
"We built the detective lab ourselves ."
→ Remove it: "We built the detective lab." (Still works!)
The "Hisself/Theirselves" Warning!
These are NOT real words! Always use himself and themselves .
PRONOUN CASE AND AGREEMENT • CASE FILE 3 INTENSIVE = EMPHASIS ONLY
4
Interactive: Crack the Case
INTERROGATION
Analyze the statements below. Identify the pronoun errors and state which case or correction is needed.
SUSPECT A
"Him and the chief arrived at the scene first."
CRIME COMMITTED:
Objective used instead of Subjective!
→ Correction: "He and the chief..."
SUSPECT B
"The mystery typewriter had lost it's key."
CRIME COMMITTED:
Contraction used instead of Possessive!
→ Correction: "...lost its key."
SUSPECT C
"The agents solved the case all by theirselves."
CRIME COMMITTED:
Non-standard intensive pronoun!
→ Correction: "...by themselves."
PRONOUN CASE AND AGREEMENT • GUIDED PRACTICE COULD YOU SOLVE THESE CRIME SCENES?
APPROVED FOR DUTY
Your Next Mission...
Now that you've completed basic training at headquarters, it's time to take your skills into the field. Open your Case Crackers Guided Notes and Practice sheets.
Review Notes
Fill in definitions and examples on your Case Report.
Solve Practice
Examine suspects, highlight clues, and fix pronoun errors.
Verify Evidence
Compare answers with the chief to finalize the case files.
PRONOUN PATROL HQ
Ready for Field Work
GOOD LUCK, AGENTS
Case Crackers Guided Notes AGENT REPORT
PRONOUN CASE FILE NOTES
Subjective, Objective, Possessive, and Intensive Pronouns
CASE: PR-06-2026
AGENT NAME:
DATE:
BADGE NO:
1. Case Clue: Subjective vs. Objective Case
Subjective Pronouns
Act as the of the sentence. They perform the main action.
List Singular: , you, he, she, it
Objective Pronouns
Act as the . The action is done to them.
List Singular: me, you, , her, it
Compound Subject Test: How do you test "The chief and (I/me) solved the mystery"?
2. Case Clue: Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns show . They NEVER use an (like 's).
USED BEFORE A NOUN:
• my badge
• your magnifying glass
• his / her / clue
• our / their suspects
STANDS ALONE:
• The badge is mine
• The glass is yours
• The clue is his /
• The file is ours / theirs
Beware the "Its" Trap:
ITS is always (ownership).
IT'S is always a contraction for .
3. Case Clue: Intensive Pronouns
Intensive pronouns end in -self (singular) or -selves (plural). They add to a noun/pronoun.
The "Omission Test":
If you delete an intensive pronoun, the sentence .
The Illegal Suspects:
Words like "hisself" or "theirselves" are NOT REAL WORDS . Use himself or themselves.
PRONOUN PATROL INVESTIGATION MANUAL
PAGE 1 OF 1 • KEEP THIS IN YOUR BRIEFCASE
Case Crackers Worksheet CONFIDENTIAL PRACTICE
FIELD WORK: CASE CRACKERS
Independent Pronoun Case Investigation
STAGE 1
AGENT NAME:
DATE:
BADGE NO:
CASE 1
The Suspect Lineup (Subjective vs. Objective)
Directions: Read each statement below. Underline the correct pronoun inside the parentheses.
Q1.
Detective Sterling and ( I / me ) inspected the footprints near the window.
Q2.
The chief called ( she / her ) at midnight with a brand new lead.
Q3.
Did you see where Detective Jax and ( he / him ) had hidden the suspect file?
Q4.
Between you and ( I / me ), I think this case is almost fully solved.
Q5.
They wanted ( we / us ) to patrol the alleyways before sunset.
Q6.
It was ( they / them ) who left the safe wide open!
CASE 2
The Evidence Log (Possessive Pronouns)
Directions: Fill in the blank with the correct possessive pronoun. (Do NOT use apostrophes!)
1. That notepad belongs to me. It is:
2. These keys belong to the suspect. They are:
3. The agency owns this safe. It is:
4. Do those magnifying glasses belong to you two? Are they:
The "Its" vs. "It's" Fingerprint Test
Directions: Underline the correct word (its / it's) to secure the evidence.
A. The tracking dog lost ( its / it's ) scent near the harbor warehouse.
B. I believe ( its / it's ) going to take several hours to crack this security code.
PRONOUN PATROL • FIELD INVESTIGATION
PAGE 1 OF 2 • PROCEED TO STAGE 2
INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
FIELD WORK: CASE CRACKERS
Independent Pronoun Case Investigation
STAGE 2
CASE 3
The Spotlight Pronoun (Intensive Pronouns)
Directions: Read each sentence. Circle the intensive pronoun, then write the noun or pronoun that it is emphasizing on the blank line.
The Chief himself went down to examine the locked safe.
Emphasizes:
We solved the secret cipher ourselves after hours of trial.
Emphasizes:
The suspects themselves confessed when they saw the camera footage.
Emphasizes:
Standard vs. Non-Standard Patrol
Fix the faulty intensive pronoun in the sentence: "The two scouts prepared the crime kit theirselves."
Case Crackers Answer Key ANSWER KEY • MASTER COPY
FIELD WORK: CASE CRACKERS
Teacher Answer Key & Facilitation Guide
STAGE 1 KEY
CASE 1 SOLUTIONS
The Suspect Lineup (Subjective vs. Objective)
Q1.
Detective Sterling and ( I / me ) inspected the footprints near the window.
Q2.
The chief called ( she / her ) at midnight with a brand new lead.
Q3.
Did you see where Detective Jax and ( he / him ) had hidden the suspect file?
Q4.
Between you and ( I / me ), I think this case is almost fully solved.
Q5.
They wanted ( we / us ) to patrol the alleyways before sunset.
Q6.
It was ( they / them ) who left the safe wide open!
CASE 2 SOLUTIONS
The Evidence Log (Possessive Pronouns)
1. That notepad belongs to me. It is:
mine
2. These keys belong to the suspect. They are:
his
3. The agency owns this safe. It is:
ours
4. Do those magnifying glasses belong to you two? Are they:
yours
The "Its" vs. "It's" Fingerprint Test
A. The tracking dog lost ( its / it's ) scent near the harbor warehouse. (Possessive)
B. I believe ( its / it's ) going to take several hours to crack this security code. (It is)
Agent Briefing: Teacher Pacing Tip
Students often struggle with Q4 ("Between you and me") due to hearing "you and I" used frequently in conversation. Explain that "between" is a preposition, which requires the objective pronoun me .
ANSWER KEY • STAGE 1 COMPLETE
PAGE 1 OF 2 • ANSWER MASTER
ANSWER KEY • MASTER COPY
FIELD WORK: CASE CRACKERS
Teacher Answer Key & Facilitation Guide
STAGE 2 KEY
CASE 3 SOLUTIONS
The Spotlight Pronoun (Intensive Pronouns)
The Chief himself went down to examine the locked safe.
Emphasizes: Chief
We solved the secret cipher ourselves after hours of trial.
Emphasizes: We
The suspects themselves confessed when they saw the camera footage.
Emphasizes: suspects
Standard vs. Non-Standard Patrol
Corrected Sentence:
Case Solved Exit Ticket CUT HERE FOR TWO AGENT TICKETS
FINAL PROOF
CASE CRACKED Exit Ticket
PRONOUN PATROL DISPATCH
TICKET A
AGENT:
DATE:
BADGE:
Identify the correct pronoun case:
The captain assigned the nighttime watch to Detective Sterling and ( she / her ).
Fill in the blank with an appropriate intensive pronoun:
The thief _______________ locked the door before fleeing the safehouse.
Locate and correct the pronoun error in this statement:
"Him and I solved the mystery all by ourselves."
Error:
Correction:
FINAL PROOF
CASE CRACKED Exit Ticket
PRONOUN PATROL DISPATCH
TICKET B
AGENT:
DATE:
BADGE:
Identify the correct pronoun case:
The captain assigned the nighttime watch to Detective Sterling and ( she / her ).
Fill in the blank with an appropriate intensive pronoun:
The thief _______________ locked the door before fleeing the safehouse.
Locate and correct the pronoun error in this statement:
"Him and I solved the mystery all by ourselves."
Error:
Correction:
PRONOUN PATROL • EXIT ASSESSMENT DESPATCH
PAGE 1 OF 1 • SHRED AFTER SCORING
