Action Words

Helping Students Understand Verbs

Stage of Literacy Development:

Stage 1: Beginning Literacy
Stage 2: Consolidation / Fluency

Ages:

5-9

Grade Range:

1st 2nd 3rd

Food Groups:

Primary:
Writing Conventions, Knowledge Building

Secondary:
Vocabulary

Activity Description

Preparation:

Gather pipe cleaners, journals, and writing utensils
Generate a list of 10-20 age-appropriate action words
1. This list may be used to prompt students if they are having difficulty generating a list themselves

Implementation:

Session 1:

Have students brainstorm a list of action words (verbs)
1. For example: “run”, “eat”, “laugh”, etc.
2. Write these words on chart paper
Have students double check their list by asking them to complete the pattern “I can ________” for each of the action words
1. For example: “I can run”
2. Ask for students to verify if these sentences make sense

Divide the class into two groups and distribute pipe cleaners or string (one piece per pair of students)

Designate one group of students as the “actors” and the other group as the “guessers”
Further divide the students into pairs with each pair consisting of an “actor” and a “guesser”

Explain and model the action guessing game:

Each actor picks a word from the board and begin acting out for their guessing partner
If the “guesser” needs an additional clue, the “actor” will use the pipe cleaner or string to form the first letter of the action word they are acting out

For example: if the word is jump, the student would form the letter ‘j’

Once the “guesser” accurately guesses the correct action word, the “actor” and “guesser” will switch roles and another action word will be selected for dramatization

Session 2:

Review the list of action words with the class
Have students write a short journal entry using at least 2 of the action words they learned and draw a picture to accompany the written entry

Adaptations For

English Language Learners/ESL:

- Provide visual cues to pair with dramatized action words

LD/Reading & Writing Difficulties:

- Students can draw a picture of their action words, rather than give the written form

Cultural Appropriateness & Diversity:

- Action words selected should be familiar to all students
- Have students tell the class a translation of the action words in their native language

Differentiated Instruction:

- Provide a list of teacher-generated action words to those students who need additional support

Related References

Evidence:
Etemad, M. (1994). The Role of Kinaesthetic in Learning: The Importance of Active Engagement and the Connected Process of Reflection. Eric Documents Reproductive Services.

Activity Objective

The goal of Action Words: Helping Students Understand Verbs is to help students develop a better understanding of action words through exploring their usage in sentences and dramatizing their meaning.

What You Need

Prep Time:

10 minutes
- Prepare materials
- Generate list of action words

Task Time:

2, 30 minute sessions
- Students brainstorm a list of action words
- Teacher and students review list of words
- Students engage in action guessing game

Materials Required:

Teacher:
- Chart paper
- Markers

Students:
- Large pipe cleaners or pieces of string (1 per student)
- Student journals or lined paper 
- Pencils, markers, crayons, pencil crayons

What You Do

Teacher Role:

Direct Instruction:
- during explanation of task

Facilitator:
- during action guessing game

Consultant: 
- during journal entries

Student Grouping:

Whole class:
- during brainstorming activity

Small groups:
- during action guessing game

Individual:
- during journal entries

Assessment Ideas:

- A checklist can be used by the teacher to assess students ability to demonstrate, recognize, and use the action words correctly in action, in a journal entry, and in an illustration

- The students can also indirectly evaluate each other throughout the lesson by using encouraging phrases such as "great acting" and "close guess but try again, while the teacher notes these comments

Quick Tips

Activity Extensions:

- Set-up a writing centre in the classroom for students to practice using the action words they learned from this lesson in their own independent writing

- Students can make their own picture cards, illustrating the actions and an action word wall can be created in the class 

- Extend this game into a drama centre where students can play in small groups during centre-time 

- Incorporate this game into a physical education class where students have to perform the various action words in a routine

Additional Comments:

- This is a great intro activity to action words (verbs) that incorporates dramatic role-playing!