Subject-verb Agreement Teaching Demonstration (Grade 9)

Summary

The class begins with attendance and a fun 'Four Picks, One Word' activity to introduce subject-verb agreement. The teacher explains the concept with clear examples of rules, such as matching singular/plural subjects with their verbs, handling intervening phrases, and dealing with compound subjects. The lesson also covers words like 'each,' 'everyone,' and non-count nouns, emphasizing their singular verb agreement. The class participates actively and answers questions to ensure understanding. Afterward, a written activity is assigned, followed by homework to research verb tenses for a quiz. The session ends with positive feedback and a focus on learning the rules of grammar.

Takeaways

• 😀 The class began with a prayer and attendance check.
• 😀 The teacher asked the students to review the previous lesson before diving into the new topic.
• 😀 The topic of the day was 'Subject-Verb Agreement' in grammar.
• 😀 The class played a game called 'Four Picks One Word' to introduce the concept of subject-verb agreement.
• 😀 Subject-verb agreement rules were explained with multiple examples involving singular and plural subjects.
• 😀 Intervening phrases between subject and verb do not affect the agreement between them.
• 😀 Compound subjects connected by 'and' use plural verbs, while those connected by 'or' or 'nor' take singular verbs.
• 😀 The teacher highlighted the importance of proximity in subject-verb agreement, where the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
• 😀 Specific words like 'each,' 'everybody,' and 'none' require singular verbs regardless of context.
• 😀 Collective nouns are treated as singular in subject-verb agreement, though they refer to more than one entity.
• 😀 The class participated in a final activity where they were tasked with choosing the correct verb for each sentence, and homework was assigned on verb tenses.

Q & A

What is subject-verb agreement?

Subject-verb agreement is a grammatical rule that states the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural).

What is the importance of subject-verb agreement in sentences?

Subject-verb agreement ensures that sentences are grammatically correct, making them clear and easy to understand.

What does the term 'subject' refer to in a sentence?

The subject refers to the noun or pronoun that tells us who or what the sentence is about.

What is the rule when singular subjects are used?

Singular subjects take singular verbs, meaning the verb must match the subject in number. For example, 'Jerome attends the ceremony' (singular).

What is an intervening phrase in the context of subject-verb agreement?

An intervening phrase is a group of words placed between the subject and verb that does not affect the agreement between them. For example, 'My friends, together with their parents, are going to the zoo.'

When should a plural verb be used in sentences with compound subjects connected by 'and'?

When two or more nouns or pronouns are connected by 'and,' a plural verb should be used. For example, 'The student and the committee members write every day.'

What happens when subjects are joined by 'or' or 'nor'?

When subjects are joined by 'or' or 'nor,' the verb agrees with the subject that is closest to it. For example, 'The student or the committee members write every day.'

What is the rule when using collective nouns like 'team' or 'committee'?

Collective nouns, such as 'team' or 'committee,' are treated as singular and require a singular verb. For example, 'The committee agrees on the decision.'

How do the words 'each,' 'everyone,' and 'anyone' affect verb agreement?

'Each,' 'everyone,' and similar words are considered singular and require a singular verb. For example, 'Each of the participants was willing to be recorded.'

What is the rule when using non-count nouns like 'information' or 'advice'?

Non-count nouns take a singular verb. For example, 'The information obtained was relevant to the study.'