Verb

Verb
Language - Grammar
Level	Primary
Age	5.5 +
Prerequisites	Noun Article
Materials	red ball writing tray (pencil, red, pencil, paper slips, scissors) Grammar Symbol set

In this activity the child is introduced to the concept of verbs.

Presentations

Actions with a Ball

Could be done with a few children together.

1. Take the material to a mat or table.
2. Set the ball in the center of the space.
   "What is this?" ("A ball.")

   

3. "Right, it's a ball. Since there's only one here, I'm going to write the ball for its label."
   Write 'the ball' on a slip of paper.
   Place the label under the ball.

   

4. "'Ball' is the name of the object. Do you remember what we call naming words?" ("Nouns.")
   "Let's get the noun symbol."

   

5. Point to the word 'the'. "What about this word?" ("It's an article.")
   "Let's get the article symbol for it."

   

6. "Today we're going to talk about another type of word."
   Get a slip of paper and a red pencil ready.
7. "What's something you can do with a ball?" ("Throw it!")
8. Write down the word 'throw' (or whatever action word the child said) in red.

   

9. Hand the child the slip of paper.
   "Where should this word go?"
10. The child should place the word before 'the ball'.
    Read the words together: "Throw the ball."

    

11. "What else can you do with the ball?" ("Spin it." "Roll it." Kick it." etc.)
    (The child may act out these actions with the ball as they are suggested.)
    Write down the words as the child says them, and put them in a column under the first one that was said.
    Swap out these words to complete the sentence: "Spin the ball." "Roll the ball." etc.

    

12. Point to the column of words, "These are all action words. They're called verbs."

    

13. "Here is the symbol for verbs." Take out the red circle and place it over the verb.

    

14. "What are action words called?" ("Verbs!")
15. Put the ball and the labels in basket for the child to take out independently later if they wish.

    

16. Put the material away.

Actions the Child Does Independently

If the child shows interest, you can do this section right after the first part. Otherwise, save it for another day.

1. "How about some actions you can do on your own without the ball."
2. Write 'the child' (or 'the girl' or 'the boy' or 'the kid') on a slip of paper.
3. "What is an actions you can do?" ("Jump!")
   Write down the verb in red on a slip of paper. Be sure to put it in a format that fits in the sentence: jumps.
4. Hand the child the slip of paper with the word.
   "Where does this word go?"
5. The child should place the word after 'the child' on the mat.
6. Read the sentence out loud, "The child jumps."
   "Can you jump?"
   The child may demonstrate the action.
7. "What are some more actions you can do?"
   ("Skip!" "Sit!" "Wave!" etc.)
8. Write these words down on slips of paper and line them up in a column with the first verb.
   Swap out the verb to change the sentence and have the child act them out.
9. "Let's get the grammar symbols and show what the different types of words are that we have."

Material

Make Your Own

Free printable Grammar Symbols (black outlines, print on the appropriate color of cardstock and cut out):

• 

  Grammar Symbols

Grammar symbols could be cut out of card-stock, craft foam, or plastic (maybe from plastic lids).

Stencil

• 3D printable version by jbnimble on Thingiverse

Where to Buy

Prices and links last checked: 25 May 2020

Basic Grammar Symbols Box
Absorbent Montessori $25.00
Adena $20.92
Affordable Montessori $39.00
Alison's $26.25
Alison's $52.00
Alison's $52.00
Bruins $80.00
E & O $37.00
ETC Montessori $30.00 (no box?)
IFIT $23.00
Kid Advance $22.99
Leader Joy $24.95
Materials Co. of Boston $65.00 (small)
Materials Co. of Boston $65.00
Materials Co. of Boston $75.00
Montessori Concepts $25.00
Montessori Outlet $9.95 (no box)
 Montessori Outlet $13.95 (box only)
Thinkamajigs $30.95
Waseca $70.00

Basic & Advanced Grammar Symbol Set
Alison's $47.25 (plastic)
Alison's $49.40
Nienhuis $90.90 (plastic)

Box for Both Sets
Montessori Outlet $15.95
Nienhuis $55.50

Advanced Grammar Symbols only
Adena $17.92
ETC Montessori $28.00 (no box?)
Materials Co. of Boston $40.00
Montessori Outlet $7.95
Thinkamajigs $24.95 (cardboard)

Grammar Symbols Stencil
Affordable Montessori $4.99 for 2
Albanesi $52.00 for 5 (large)
Albanesi $52.00 for 5 (small)
Alison's $6.50 for 2
ETC Montessori $7.50
Mandala Classroom $45.00 for 5
Montessori Outlet $3.95
Nienhuis $7.50
Waseca $5.00

Grammar Symbols Stamps
Alison's $29.95
Great Extensions $55.00

3D Basic Grammar Symbols
Adena $20.92
Alison's $18.00 (no base)
Alison's $35.70
Bruins $85.00
E & O $134.00
IFIT $28.00
Kid Advance $65.99
Leader Joy $26.95 (no base)
Leader Joy $34.95
Materials Co. of Boston $55.00 (no base)
Montessori Concepts $38.00
Montessori Outlet $28.95 (no base)
 Montessori Outlet $8.95 (base only)
Montessori Outlet $57.95
Nienhuis $178.50
Thinkamajigs $37.95

3D Noun and Verb
Adena $10.92
Affordable Montessori $12.00
Alison's $15.75
Bruins $35.00
E & O $17.00
IFIT $13.00
Kid Advance $11.99
Leader Joy $15.95
Materials Co. of Boston $48.00
Montessori Concepts $13.00
Montessori Outlet $13.95
Nienhuis $26.20 (Noun only)
Nienhuis $26.20 (Verb only)
Thinkamajigs $11.95

Further Reading

• Teaching Montessori in the Home: The School Years by Elizabeth G. Hainstock, pages 117, 143