How to Teach Verbs to Grade Two Students

"Learn" is a regular verb that second grade students should already be familiar with.

The second grade is a momentous level for students in their elementary school education. This is when students learn their multiplication tables, build their vocabularies and start to set a solid foundation for grammar so their reading skills can evolve. Understanding different types of and functions of verbs is important, as is learning how to use those verbs correctly. The more enjoyable you make the learning experience, the more likely it is that students will use these verbs successfully.

Things You'll Need

• Chalkboard or dry erase board
• Verb worksheets

Instructions

1. Ask students what they think action verbs are. At this grade, at least half your class will be able to give you an answer like,"Action verbs tells us about an action or tell us to do something."

2. Write the definition of an action verb on the board. Write down several examples of action verbs.

3. Mime an action verb to the class, using primarily regular verbs, such as "cook," "answer" "blink" and others. Get your students to call out the name of the verb you're acting out. Praise your students when they call out the correct verb.

4. Ask your students to call out the form of the verb in the simple past tense. Most students should already be aware of this form and will add the appropriate "-ed" ending to each verb. Write this ending on the board, explaining to students that when a verb is regular, you give it an "-ed" ending.

5. Tell the class that not all verbs are regular. Ask for example of irregular verbs from the class. Help by supplying verbs like "drink," "run" and "draw."

6. Write down irregualr verbs on the board, asking for the simple past form from your students. For example, students should know it is not correct to say, "Yesterday I goed," but instead use, "Yesterday I went."

7. Pass out worksheets that test students' present and past knowledge of regular and irregular verbs. Ask students to complete them individually, then review them as a class.

8. Divide students into groups, and ask them to mime certain regular and irregular verbs to their teammates. Explain that when their teammates think of the correct verb, they should call it out in the present and past form. Walk around the classroom as students work, helping them as necessary.

References

• "Get Ready! for Standardized Tests: Grade Two"; Louise Ulrich, et al; 2001
• "Get Ready! for Standardized Tests: Grade 2"; Joseph Har, et al; 2000
• SCU: Second Grade English