English lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 45 minutes
Subject–verb agreement with words in between
Grammar
CCSS L.6.1CCSS L.3.1.FEngland: KS3 English (Standard English)England: SAT Standard English Conventions (Form, Structure, and Sense)
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Subject–verb agreement with words in between.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Subject–verb agreement
Leads to: the next skill in this area.
Materials: Sentence strips, Highlighters, Mini whiteboards, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Subject–verb agreement). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Choose the verb that agrees with the subject. It ___ a lot in April. (rains / rain) → rainsPrompt: Who or what is doing the action? That is the subject.
- Choose the verb that agrees with the subject. There ___ a spider in the bath! (is / are) → isPrompt: Find the main subject. Ignore words like 'of the…' or 'with the…' that come after it.
- Choose the verb that agrees with the subject. Dogs ___ to chase balls. (likes / like) → likePrompt: Who or what is doing the action? That is the subject.
Hook · 5 min
- Show a sentence with the grammar point used wrongly and ask what sounds odd.
- Share the objective: Subject–verb agreement with words in between. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Choose the verb that agrees with the subject. The flowers in the vase ___ wilting.
- Step 1: The verb agrees with the subject, not with a noun in a phrase that comes between them.
- Step 2: The subject is 'flowers' (plural).
- Step 3: Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "The flowers in the vase are wilting."
- Step 4: So the answer is: are
- Answer: are
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Choose the verb that agrees with the subject. The results of the survey ___ surprising. (were / was) → werePrompt: Cover up the phrase between the subject and the verb (of…, in…, with…, along with…).
- Type the verb (from the brackets) that agrees with the subject. Neither of the answers ___ (is/are) correct. → isPrompt: Ignore the phrase that comes between the subject and the verb.
You do: independent practice · 10 min
- 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Choose the verb that agrees with the subject. The paintings in the hall ___ very old. (are / is) → arePrompt: Cover up the phrase between the subject and the verb (of…, in…, with…, along with…).
- Type the verb (from the brackets) that agrees with the subject. Each of the puppies ___ (has/have) a collar. → hasPrompt: Ignore the phrase that comes between the subject and the verb.
Watch out for
- Naming the feature but not using it in their own sentences.
- Thinking a sentence is right because it sounds right when spoken casually.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Subject–verb agreement.
- Use concrete materials: sentence strips.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-6.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder