Verbs in Action

Curriculum Area and Level

Subject: English Language Arts
Grade/Level: Kindergarten
Specific US Standard: Aligned with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.1.B
"Use frequently occurring verbs and adjectives to describe action and states."

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Lesson Objective

By the end of the 30-minute session, students will:

• Recognize and act out basic action verbs such as "jump," "run," "clap," and "dance."
• Use these verbs verbally in simple sentences.
• Develop an initial understanding of how verbs describe what we do (actions).

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Materials Needed

1. Large chart paper or whiteboard with illustrations of actions (hand-drawn or printed: e.g., a person jumping, running, clapping).
2. Flashcards with action verbs written (jump, run, clap, dance, sing, etc.).
3. Speakers for music/song.
4. A pre-selected, age-appropriate “verbs song” (e.g., “If You’re Happy and You Know It” – adapted for verbs).
5. Stickers/rewards for participation.
6. Small beanbags or soft balls (optional for a movement activity).

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Warm-Up (5 Minutes)

Activity: The Freeze Game

1. Explain that they will be doing a "fun movement game" today to learn about action words (verbs). Briefly define a verb as “a word that tells what someone is doing.”
2. Lead a quick “Freeze Game”: Play background music, and model simple actions like jumping, clapping, and running in place. Students copy the actions until the music stops, then they freeze in place.
3. After freezing, ask: “What were we just doing? That’s called an action! Today, we’ll learn more fun action words!”

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2. Direct Instruction (7 Minutes)

Getting to Know Verbs

1. Write “jump,” “run,” “clap,” “dance” on the board and draw simple stick-figure illustrations for each.
2. Explain each action word by demonstrating it (e.g., “When I say ‘jump,’ I do this”). Ask students to mimic.
3. Reinforce by using students’ names in sentences: “Look at Lisa! Lisa can jump! Can you jump too?”

Interactive ‘Guess the Verb’ Game:

1. Show one flashcard (e.g., “clap”) and act it out. Let the class guess the action.
2. Once they guess the verb correctly, write it on the board and have everyone practice saying it while mimicking the action.

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3. Guided Practice (8 Minutes)

Activity: Sing and Move Along!

1. Play the “verbs song” (to a familiar tune):

   "If you’re jumping and you know it, jump real high!
   If you’re running and you know it, run in place!
   If you’re clapping and you know it, clap your hands!
   If you’re dancing and you know it, twirl around!"

2. Encourage students to enthusiastically sing along and physically mimic the actions in the song.

3. Repeat the song twice, swapping out verbs for variety. Add extras like “spin,” “hop,” or “wiggle.”

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4. Independent Practice (7 Minutes)

Create Your Own Action Sentence

1. Pass out large cards and crayons to students.
   • Ask each to illustrate their favorite action (e.g., “jump” or “clap”) and write the verb with help if needed.
2. After 2-3 minutes, let students stand up, hold up their cards, and act out their chosen action while saying “I can (verb).”
   • E.g., Student shouts, "I can jump!" while jumping. Class repeats, "You can jump!"

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5. Closing and Wrap-Up (3 Minutes)

1. Gather students on the carpet. Review the four main verbs discussed: jump, run, clap, dance.
2. Point to their illustrations and ask: “Who remembers what these are called? Verbs!”
3. Hand out stickers or praise for participation: "You all did so well acting out and using verbs today!"
4. Have students stand for a final round of the “Freeze Game” to celebrate.

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Accommodations and Differentiation

• For ELL Students: Pair gestures consistently with each verb and allow students to repeat words multiple times. Encourage peer modeling to support understanding.
• For Advanced Learners: Expand with verbs like “spin,” “hop,” and “wiggle,” and let them create sentences with two actions (e.g., “I can jump and clap!”).
• For Students with Physical Limitations: Adapt movements to arm-only motions (e.g., clapping, snapping fingers).

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Assessment and Evaluation

• Observe participation in the “Freeze Game” and “Sing and Move Along” activities to ensure verbal use and demonstration of verbs.
• Check individual illustrations and sentences to assess comprehension (e.g., whether their drawings and words align with the correct action).
• Informal questioning during class ensures understanding of the concept of verbs.

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Reflection for Continuous Improvement

Post-lesson, reflect on:

• Were the students engaged in understanding verbs through movement and song?
• Did all students participate actively and express their actions confidently?
• Were students able to correctly identify verbs by the end of the lesson?

Adjustments for Next Time: Introduce more complex verbs and potentially integrate group activities like creating a "verb story" with actions.

Teacher Note: This lesson leverages movement and music to meet the needs of active Kindergarten learners while addressing curriculum goals for early language development.