Using engaging subject and predicate activities can not only make the lessons fun, but they will help the students master these terms and understand what makes up a complete sentence.
Subjects and predicates can be a complex concept for students to understand. Throw in the terms complete subject, complete predicate, simple subjects and simple predicates, and it’s even more complex. Here are some engaging ideas to help teach students these terms.
Videos
Introducing these parts of a sentence through a video or catchy tune can be the perfect way to set up the lesson.
To watch some of the videos listed below, you may need a membership. Many times these sites have a free trial membership you can sign up for.
- Brainpop has a quick two minute video that explains exactly what complete subject, complete predicate, simple subject, and simple predicate are. It’s an easy way to introduce these parts of a sentence to your students.
- Flocabulary provides a three minute video. This video works better for students who have a bit of prior knowledge as it includes examples of complex sentences.
- Schoolhouse Rock is definitely a classic and is a great and catchy introduction. Their video titled The Tale of Mr. Morton reviews how to find the simple predicate using a catchy tune.
Whole Group Lesson
Providing students with a visual and examples helps them understand the grammar skill you are introducing. This can be done by using a variety of resources such as posters, anchor charts, or interactive notebook activities.
Displaying posters in the classroom or introducing anchor charts on the whiteboard provide a great visual for students. They can copy them into their notebooks using refer back to when needed.
While explaining the different terms, it is helpful to students to have them write the definition in their notebooks. A flap sheet is a great way to help students organize the information.
Provide Practice Activities
Practice opportunities offer students the opportunity to master the skill and can be provided as a whole group or individually.
Whole Group Practice
This separates the complete subject and the complete predicate in the simple sentence and helps scaffold their finding of the simple subject and simple predicate.
2. Another whole group practice activity my students enjoy involves the whiteboard (or computer) and individual homemade response cards (like the one pictured above).
I project slides of sentences with a word or words underlined on the board. I then count to three and have students hold up the card that shows the proper response.
Individual Practice
1. Giving students time to practice independently is also important. Using digital task cards is a great way to give students individual practice that provides immediate feedback.
2. Cut, Sort, and Paste is a very hands on approach. It allows students to analyze sentence parts and sort them accordingly. This option is great for tactile learners. It is also a great option for small group instruction.
3. Task cards are a classroom favorite amongst teachers and students. They are interactive and provide quick feedback. They can be used in centers, as part of morning work, or as scoot activities.
Intervention or Scaffolding Activities
Print and fold interactive booklets also provide students with engaging opportunities for practice while giving the students a great reference tool for future use. It allows for scaffolding and includes gradual release activities.
Extension or Early Finishers Activities
Some students will master the terms and skills quicker than others. You can enrich students by having them create text conversations between two people. Have them then identify the different parts of the sentences. You can also provide them with pictures or illustrations, or have them create their own. Then, have them create sentences related to the images. Lastly, they can identify the simple subject, simple predicate, complete subject, and complete predicate of the sentences.
Assessing Students’ Understanding
Many of the activities above can also be used as assessments to evaluate whether students are mastering the concept or not.
If you’re looking for more another option, you could dDictate 5 simple sentences to students, write them on the board, or type them up and provide a copy to each student. Ask them “chop” (divide) the sentences between the complete subject and complete predicate. Then ask them to identify and underline the simple subject and simple predicate.
To make it even more engaging, I like to use black grosgrain ribbon and give students who have mastered “chopping” sentences a black belt. It definitely adds some interactive fun to the end of the lesson and motivates students to do their best.
I hope this post on subject and predicate activities which is part of our grammar series helps you add more engaging grammar lessons to your curriculum.
