Verbs
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Instructional Video
Song Video
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Although action verbs are a simple concept at the initial concrete level, categorizing mental actions, such as “concentrate” or “wish” is a little more abstract. This plan progresses from the concrete to the abstract using hands-on and paper/pencil tasks to reinforce key skills. Understanding that using a more descriptive verb, like “sauntered,” over a common action verb, like “walked,” can bring power to young writers. |
Review Video & Follow These Instructional Guidelines
Kindergarten
- Watch the GrammarSongs video “I Need a Verb” until song is familiar.
- Whenever you are doing something inside or outside, emphasize the verb or action you are performing. “We jump! Jump is something that you do. It's called a verb.”
- When reading in picture books, point out the actions of the characters as examples of verbs.
First Grade
Complete grammar worksheet “Identifying Action Verbs.”
- Classroom Activity: Use the information presented within the sheet to model sentences on a whiteboard or Smart Board to create a whole class lesson. Cut the sheet apart, gluing the related answers from the answer key on the back to use within a cooperative learning structure or as a self-checking center activity.
- Classroom Activity: Print out and cut apart “Action Verb Cards.” Invite students to print their own original sentences on sentence strips using the provided action verb. Have them draw a box around the verb in the sentence on the sentence strip. Ask each student to pass his/her action verb card to another student. Upon receiving a new action verb, each student should cover up his/her original “boxed in” verb to create a new silly sentence. For example: If a student had the sentence “Erica ate the cupcake,” his/her new sentence may read, “Erica threw the cupcake.” Invite students to read their new sentences aloud.
Second Grade
- Emphasize that all sentences have verbs, and that action verbs are words that tell what someone or something does.
Third Grade
- Complete grammar sheet “Using More Interesting Action Verbs.”
- Bring the “juicification” of verbs to life by noticing the verb choices of favorite authors.
- Discuss how the verb choice makes the scene played out in the reader's head more specific.
- Have students examine examples of their own writing to notice the verbs they tend to use or overuse.
- Invite them to “juice up” their verbs using synonyms. (This would be a good real-world use for a thesaurus.)
Fourth Grade
- Discuss verse 2 of the song, in which mental action verbs are introduced.
- Complete grammar sheet “Analyzing Action Verbs.”
- Classroom Activity: Use the “Categorizing Action Verbs Cards (intermediate)” or “Categorizing Action Verbs Cards (upper level)” within a cooperative learning structure, whole class, or as a center to practice differentiating between physical and mental actions.
Fifth Grade
- Review verse 2 of the song, in which mental action verbs are introduced.
- Complete grammar sheet “Analyzing Action Verbs.”
- Classroom Activity: Use the “Categorizing Action Verbs Cards (upper level)” or “Categorizing Action Verbs Cards (intermediate)” within a cooperative learning structure, whole class, or as a center to practice differentiating between physical and mental actions.