ALEX Learning Activity

This activity is designed to test students' knowledge of subject-verb agreement. Students will be given response cards that say or represent "Agree" and "Disagree." The teacher will read sentences and the students will hold up the appropriate card to show if the verb agrees or disagrees with the subject. This activity can be used as a preassessment. 

This learning activity was created as a result of the ALEX - Alabama Virtual Learning (AVL) Resource Development Summit.

The student will listen to a sentence read out loud and determine whether the verb agrees with the subject. 

The teacher will:

1.  distribute the agree/disagree cards and explain the directions to the students.
2. read each sentence from Subject-Verb Agreement Response Cards aloud providing time for students to respond with their “agree” or “disagree” sign and monitoring student responses for understanding.

The teacher will use the response cards as a quick formative assessment to determine students' level of understanding of subject-verb agreement. 

Approximate Duration: 5-10 minutes

Materials and Resources: 

Teacher:

* A copy of the Subject-Verb Agreement Response Cards Directions (The teacher will read the sentences out loud to the class.)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OVxVcZ3LS4LX2OFnQDl4n_AbILUjUGQCmnED45Q6sMo/edit?usp=sharing

* Response Cards - print, make copies, cut out and laminate the response cards on the second page of the Subject-Verb Agreement Response Cards Directions if you do not want to create your own design. These can be easily made by cutting up squares of construction paper or other durable paper. The teacher may choose to make the Agree cards green and the Disagree cards red. Teachers may also want to write the words "Agree" and "Disagree" on the cards. In order to make them last longer, the teacher may choose to laminate them.

Student:

* Response Cards (passed out by teacher prior to activity)

*Notes on Subject-Verb Agreement (if teacher allows students to use any previous notes on Subject-Verb Agreement)

Background/Preparation:

Teacher: This activity could be used as a preassessment. Students will need a refresher to the rules and special cases of this topic, in addition to what was covered in the previous grade's standards.

Student: The students should be familiar with subject-verb agreement according to the previous grade's content standards and course of study. 

Intervention:

Students who need extra help with the topic of subject-verb agreement should read and discuss Robin Kacel's article "Watch Out for the Exceptions" in a teacher-led small group. 

https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=a2abf53e-266e-3e63-b814-c8e495670130

Kacel, R. (2000). Watch Out for the Exceptions. Writing, 23(3), 26.

If the link does not work, please visit the Alabama Virtual Library Website. 

https://www.avl.lib.al.us/

Click on the top left Elementary School tab. In the search bar at the top, type in "Watch out for the Exceptions." 

Acceleration: 

If a student needs to be challenged, he or she should complete #3 on Lesson 5. 

https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=63a52054-6915-3176-acf5-928716af61f8

Lesson 5: Subject/Verb Agreement. (2014). Storyworks, 21(5), T10.

If the link does not work, please visit the Alabama Virtual Library Website. 

https://www.avl.lib.al.us/

Click on the top left Elementary School tab. In the search bar at the top, type in "Lesson 5: Subject Verb Agreement." 

He or she will need to be provided access either online or given a printed version of the article "Grammar Cop's Winning Olympic Facts." 

https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=5c6b3852-4c65-36b2-b3a8-b6d83fd06b28

Grammar Cop’s Winning Olympic Facts: Learn about the Olympic Games as you practice subject/verb agreement. (2020). Storyworks, 27(6), 27.

This activity could be done in a small group with accelerated students while the teacher works with groups who need additional help. 

This learning activity aligns with substandard d of ELA 21.5.39: Use subject-verb agreement correctly when composing and revising writing.

This lesson can be used in conjunction with the Subject-Verb Agreement Guided Notes (during activity) and Subject-Verb Agreement Exit Slip (after activity).