Subject: English Language Arts

Lesson Topic: Subject Verb Agreement

Grade Level: 4th
Instructional Setting
This lesson will take place in a 4th grade classroom. There are two classes of twenty-two
students. Seating is arranged in two groups of six and two groups of five.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills
(20) Oral and Written Conventions/Conventions. Students understand the function of and use the
conventions of academic language when speaking and writing. Students continue to apply earlier
standards with greater complexity. Students are expected to:
(A) use and understand the function of the following parts of speech in the context of reading,
writing, and speaking: (C) use complete simple and compound sentences with correct subjectverb agreement (Texas Education Agency, 2015).
Goals

The student will be able to recognize errors in subject verb agreement and be able to correctly
identify changes that need to be made to correct error(s).
Lesson Objectives
Students, working independently, will be able circle the verb that agrees with the subject of each
sentence with 70% (7/10) accuracy.
Instructional Material & Resources
Teacher Materials

Subject Verb Agreement Rules Chart

Subject Verb Agreement Circus
Sentences

Student Materials

Subject Verb Agreement Student

Practice Sheet
Pencils

Prerequisite Skills Needed

Students must be able to identify the subject of a sentence, both simple and compound.
Students must be able to recognize singular and plural forms of nouns.

Presentation of Information
Introduction

The teacher will read sentences aloud to see if students can identify sentences where the subject
verb agreement is incorrect and have them correct it. The teacher will then go over subject verb
agreement rules with students using a printed anchor chart. The teacher will read some sentences
aloud and have students listen to them to see if they can recognize whether or not the subjects
and verbs of the sentences agree.
Guided Practice
The class will participate in a Subject Verb Agreement Circus. The teacher will be the
ringmaster and will have large printed sentences that will be modified through movement and
participation of students. Students will be called on to participate in the sentence building by
referring to them as lion tamer(s), tightrope walker(s), trapeze artist(s), and clown(s). The
sentences that will be modeled by students are as follows:
The lion tamer tames lions.
The lion tamers tame lions.
The clown juggles balls.
The clowns juggle balls.
The trapeze artist is performing.
The tightrope walker is performing.
The trapeze artist and tightrope walker are performing.
The teacher will point out how a singular subject requires a singular verb and a plural subject
requires a plural verb as the sentences are modeled by students.
Independent Practice
Students will work independently to identify and circle the verb that correctly completes the
sentence and agrees with the subject of each sentence on the Subject Verb Agreement Practice
sheet. In order to be considered successful, students must circle the correct verb in 7/10
sentences.
Assessment
Students will be assessed formatively during guided instruction. During guided instruction,
corrective feedback will be given as needed. Students will also be assessed using the Subject
Verb Agreement Practice sheet. Students must score 70% in order to be considered successful on
this task.
Culmination
The practice sheet that students completed will be reviewed and corrected.
Differentiated Instruction

Use of anchor chart to help students who struggle with recall and visual learners.
Active participation

Materials for Lesson

Subject Verb Agreement Printouts

Student Worksheet

(Purdue University, 1995-2004)