• 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? The scientists had tested the robot twice. (tested / robot / had / twice) → hadPrompt: Find the main action word first.
2. Which word is the MAIN verb? They were dancing in the rain. (dancing / rain / they / were) → dancingPrompt: Which word names the action or state?
3. Choose the helping verb that fits the meaning. My little brother ___ read yet; he is only two. (shouldn't / can't / mustn't / won't ever) → can'tPrompt: 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 chef tastes the soup. Is "tastes" 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 "smell" as a LINKING verb? (I smell the cookies. / Dogs smell everything. / The cookies smell sweet. / We smell smoke!) → The cookies smell sweet.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. The puppy chased the ball. Is "chased" 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 "smell" as a LINKING verb? (Dogs smell everything. / The cookies smell sweet. / We smell smoke! / I smell the cookies.) → The cookies smell sweet.Prompt: Swap the verb for 'is' or 'are'. Does it still make sense?

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