• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Helping verbs and main verbs (is, has, can, will, must)). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which word is the HELPING verb? She does not like olives. (like / not / olives / does) → doesPrompt: Find the main action word first.
2. Which word is the MAIN verb? Our class could hear the drums. (drums / class / could / hear) → hearPrompt: Which word names the action or state?
3. Choose the helping verb that fits the meaning. Take a coat. It ___ rain later, but I'm not sure. (will definitely / must / might / did) → mightPrompt: Read the sentence after the gap for clues.

• Show a sentence with the grammar point used wrongly and ask what sounds odd.
• Share the objective: Action verb or linking verb? (tastes the soup, tastes salty). Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: The puppy chased the ball. Is "chased" an action verb or a linking verb here?
• Step 1: An action verb shows what the subject does. A linking verb joins the subject to a word that describes it (is, seems, becomes, looks, feels).
• Step 2: So the answer is: action verb
• Answer: action verb
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. The dog smells the flowers. Is "smells" an action verb or a linking verb here? (action verb / linking verb) → action verbPrompt: Does the subject DO something, or is the verb just linking the subject to a describing word?
2. Read the question. Which sentence uses "feel" as a LINKING verb? (I feel sleepy. / She felt the bump on her head. / Feel the rain on your face. / Feel this soft wool.) → I feel sleepy.Prompt: Swap the verb for 'is' or 'are'. Does it still make sense?

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Read the question. Which sentence uses "taste" as a LINKING verb? (He tasted the lemon. / Can you taste the pepper? / Taste the sauce first. / These strawberries taste sweet.) → These strawberries taste sweet.Prompt: Swap the verb for 'is' or 'are'. Does it still make sense?
2. Our team grew tomatoes. Is "grew" an action verb or a linking verb here? (action verb / linking verb) → action verbPrompt: Does the subject DO something, or is the verb just linking the subject to a describing word?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-4.