Introducing grammar lessons with picture books that teach grammar skills is an excellent way to engage your upper elementary students and set the stage to engage them.
Fortunately, many authors have realized the importance of incorporating picture books into lessons, and they have written some fun books that explicitly explain parts of speech and grammar rules within the text.
Here are a list of picture books you can use at the start of your lessons as you teach nouns, verbs, adjectives, and other parts of speech to your 4th and 5th graders.
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Nouns
If You were a Noun by Michael Dahl
Nouns (Singular and Plural)
If You were a Plural Word by Michael Dahl
Plural nouns rules can be confusing, especially for non-native English speakers. Reviewing the rules explicitly after sharing one of these books can benefit your upper elementary writers.
Pronouns
Mine, All Mine: A Book About Pronouns by Ruth Heller
I and You, and Don’t Forget Who: What is a Pronoun? by Brian Cleary
If You were a Pronoun by Nancy Loewen
Verbs
Kites Sail High: A Book About Verbs by Ruth Heller
To Toot, To Root, To Parachute: What is a Verb? by Brian Cleary
Slide and Slurp, Scratch and Burp: More About Verbs by Brian Cleary
If You were a Verb by Michael Dahl
Adjectives
Many Luscious Lollipops: A Book About Adjectives by Ruth Heller
Hairy, Scary, Ordinary: What is an Adjective? by Brian Cleary
Quirky, Jerky, Extra Perky: More About Adjectives by Brian Cleary
If You were an Adjective by Michael Dahl
Adjectives (Comparative and Superlative)
Breezier, Cheesier, Newest and Bluest: What are Comparatives and Superlatives? by Brian Cleary
Things that are the Most in the World by Judi Barrett
Pig, Pigger, Piggest by Rick Walton
Distinguishing when to add -er or -est to the end of the word or whether to add more or most before the word can be a tricky skill when it comes to comparative and superlative adjectives. Explicitly teaching the rules after reading one of the books can help students use them correctly when they write.
Adverbs
If You Were an Adverb by Michael Dahl
Prepositions
Prepositions by Ann Heinrichs
After reading any of these preposition books, you can enhance understanding with a variety of hands-on activities including paper airplanes and paper snowball fights that students are sure to love.
Conjunctions
But and For, Yet and Nor: What is a Conjunction? by Brian Cleary
If You Were a Conjunction by Nancy Loewen
Just Me and 6,000 Rats: A Tale of Conjunctions by Rick Walton
Interjections
If You Were an Interjection by Nancy Loewen
Contractions
I’m and Won’t, They’re and Don’t: What is a Contraction? by Brian Cleary
If You Were a Contraction by Trisha Shaskan
Homophones and Homonyms (Commonly Confused Words)
Homophones and Homonyms can also be challenging for even the most skilled upper elementary students. Providing them with opportunities to learn and master theses commonly confused words through hands-on activities can prove to be beneficial.
Hopefully you have found some inspiration within this list of picture books that teach grammar skills. Exposing students to books whenever possible not only helps to introduce skills but also helps promote a love for reading with students.
Make sure to check out the various list of picture book read alouds for upper elementary students. It’s a great way to engage students with quick exposure to different topics.
