Activities to Teach Students to Use the Correct Subject or Verb – With Compound Subjects
When teaching students to use the correct subject or verb in a sentence, it’s important to give them plenty of opportunities to practice. One area that can be particularly challenging for students is using subjects and verbs correctly with compound subjects. Compound subjects are simply two or more subjects that share the same verb.
Here are some activities that can help students master this concept:
Sentence Sorting:
Write a variety of simple sentences on index cards, including some with compound subjects. Have students work in pairs or small groups to sort the sentences into two piles: those with compound subjects and those without. Encourage students to discuss their choices and explain why they sorted each sentence a certain way.
Subject-Verb Agreement Chart:
Create a chart that lists different pronouns and their corresponding verb forms. Have students fill in the chart with the correct verb form for each pronoun. Then, give students a list of sentences with compound subjects and have them identify the correct verb form for each sentence using the chart they created.
The Verb Game:
In this game, students sit in a circle and take turns saying a sentence with a compound subject. The next student must then say the sentence again, correctly using the appropriate verb form. For example, if the original sentence was “The dog and the cat runs in the park,” the corrected sentence would be “The dog and the cat run in the park.” If a student makes a mistake, they are out of the game, and play continues until one student is left standing.
Sentence Editing:
Give students a list of compound sentences with subject-verb agreement errors. Have them identify and correct the errors. Once they have corrected the sentences, have them rewrite each sentence as two separate sentences, with each subject having its own verb.
Picture Prompts:
Provide students with a picture that includes multiple subjects, such as a group of animals or people. Ask students to write a sentence about the picture using a compound subject and a correct verb form. Once they have written their sentences, have students share with the class and discuss any errors or corrections that need to be made.
By using these activities, you can help your students develop a solid understanding of subject-verb agreement with compound subjects. With practice and repetition, students will become more confident in using this grammatical concept correctly in their writing and speaking.