Learning Parts
of Speech Lisa Kihn
Learning the parts of speech doesn't have to be dull and boring.
I've found some exciting ways to introduce and reinforce these concepts.
These activities work best for 4th through 8th grades. Have fun!
To begin: define each of the following parts of speech.
Have students take notes. They may find the definitions and write
it in their own words.
| Noun |
|
| Verb |
|
| Pronoun |
|
| Proper Noun |
|
| Adjective |
|
| Adverb |
|
| Article |
|
| Preposition |
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| Conjunctions |
|
Activities:
Parts of Speech Relay
Call out a word. Have kids or teams compete to identify the parts
of speech first. Give points for each correct answer. Or, instead,
ask for an example of a part of speech and give points for correct
answers.
Mad Libs
Do "Mad Libs." Read the list of words to the class, everybody writes
them. When finished, choose examples from class. Write on an overhead
an example for each. Read the "Mad Lib" aloud with each of the answers
on the overhead.
Have students write their own "Mad Lib" and do it with each other.
Adverb Game: In the Manner of the Word
Choose five students to go out of the class and think of an adverb
that they can act out in front of the class. For example: slowly.
When the students return, they go to the front of the class and
ask for verb suggestions that they can act out. A student in the
class may say "Play tennis," so each of the actors pantomimes playing
tennis slowly. The class tries to guess the adverb. If no one guesses
correctly, they choose a new verb to act out until someone figures
it out.
Writing Activities
1. Write a paragraph about a sporting event, but use no conjunctions.
2. Write a paragraph about a movie you've seen, but use no adjectives.
3. Write a paragraph about your best friend, but use no pronouns.
4. Write a paragraph describing where you live, but use no prepositions.
Process with your students how effective their writing is when they
have these limits. Discuss the importance of parts of speech.
Websites for Aspiring Writers and Poets
www.kidpub.org
www.stonesoup.com
www.kidsonlinemagazine.com
www.kidnews.com
www.realkids.com
www.shortstoriesbykids.com
www.amazing-kids.org/contests.html
www.candlelightstories.com
www.gigglepoetry.com
www.potatohill.com
Do you have a question or comment
about this article? Send Lisa an
e-mail.
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