[hjmcdani]

Does anyone have any fun or engaging ways to teach irregular verbs?

[thankateach]

After the basic discussion/lesson of irregular verbs, we create a chart of the most common misused verbs in our grammar notebooks to use as reference.

THEN...on my Smartboard, I will pull up a worksheet in which students have to use the correct form of the verb to complete. EX. I have __________ the new student. (see)

This is the fun part...

I give each student a bag of letter tiles. They turn all the tiles upside down on their desks so they can't see the letters. When that step is complete, they must raise their hands over their heads so I know they are ready to start the game. After all hands are raised, I tell them when to GO and they race to spell the word that correctly completes the sentence [seen] by turning the tiles over. The first person that raises their hand, and has the correct verb (spelled correctly) wins. *I can quickly check what the other students were beginning to spell. The winner writes the correct verb in the sentence on the smartboard-----I usually ask them WHY they spelled seen and not saw-pointing out that the sentence has HAVE in it. They usually get a sticker or small treat. The process is repeated...when all hands are above heads you know students are ready to do another sentence.

SUGGESTIONS:
1. Don't complete the sentences in order, or the cherubs will try figure out the next verb even before you technically begin that round.
2. After each round, have students check floor for letter tiles that may have fallen.
3. Every three or four rounds, I have students quietly switch desks, so they don't stratigically place certain tiles.
4. I tell my students if they yell out to get my attention---"I GOT IT!" They are disqualified.
5. They MUST have the word completed before I get to their desk to check-or-it doesn't count.

My students love love love to use letter tiles. We use them in this game setting for many skills...singular nouns-students spell plural form, contractions, etc.etc...

I don't know if this will help or work with your students. It sure does beat reading/working from a textbook though. Sometimes, I even give the students the worksheet we completed with the game as their assignment.

[ajmm115]

I posted some worksheets on the 4-8 Board, around 10-20-09. Most would not be usable for 5th, but a couple should be OK.

[abcde]

The letter tile games are very creative. What do you use for tiles?

I used Microsoft Excel...typed in the alphabet in basic bold font. I repeated letters that I knew would be used more (s, a, e) etc. etc....If you put a border around the letters, they will be much easier to cut out....I let my responsible students help with this

I copied the letters on cardstock and laminated them. That was about six years ago. I have had to replace some of the letters...mostly because they were lost, but generally the students take care of them because they love to use them!!!!

You can also use this game in science or social studies for vocabulary review (I normally provide a word bank)....or with spelling practice!!!!!

I don't mind to share the sheet of letters I have typed already. I don't know how to add an attachment, or even if I can???

[abcde]

Thanks, it's a really great idea. I will definitely be making some. Thanks for sharing.