Grade 7 · Lesson 4 — Verb

U0 · Re-teach the level below · Verb (—) · blocked practice · 10–15 min · 17 slides · no Poodle book pages yet — Square One runs on remedial sheets
Anchor to leave them with: Clauses are built on subjects and verbs.
ObjectiveStudents will tell verb apart in mixed practice.
Smallest pieceReview and apply what we already know.
Spot test“Which question is this?”
Why that test works'What is happening?' finds action verbs; 'is it just telling me that something IS?' finds being verbs. Both work because a verb is the only word that changes with time — ran, runs, will run — so if a word can be moved into yesterday or tomorrow, it is a verb.
Why — in your own wordsWe learn words so we can say exactly what we mean.
MaterialsMini-whiteboard + pen per student · Board or screen for the deck · Board space kept clear for the VIP — it stays up all lesson · Worksheet — Lesson 4 · Deck: G7_L004_… .pptx · If it breaks: Remedial sheet 28 · Study guide — Quiz 1 (goes home today)
Vocabulary — pre-pointedT3: clause = A clause is a group of words that has a subject and its predicate; two clauses = A sentence can have two clauses; clause phrases = Clauses are groups of words and phrases are also groups of words — the difference is the subject-verb core
T2: sort = put into groups
SlidePartOn screen / bookTeacher says Teacher does — point, click, clapStudents
1LaunchGrammar — Day 4(nothing yet — this is on screen as they come in and settle)Have Grammar — Day 4 up before they enter. Say nothing about it; it is doing its work by being there.See it on the way in. Know grammar is next.
2LaunchVerb“Assalamu alaykum.”Greet and settle.Return the greeting.
3LaunchToday — Launch highlighted“Our plan.”Point down the steps.Look.
—LaunchWhy — say it
ten seconds, off screen, in your own words		“We learn language so we can teach people about Allah.”Why this matters. Say it, do not read it. Ten seconds.
Note: Your words. A different reason every lesson.
Listen.
4LaunchToday the questions jump around: clauses are built on subjects and verb + a sentence can have two clause + clauses can hold phrase.“Today the questions jump around — clauses are built on subjects and verb + a sentence can have two clause + clauses can hold phrase. Your first job, before you answer anything, is to notice which one I am asking.”Say it slowly. This is the actual objective of the day.
Note: NAME THE INTERLEAVING. Unannounced mixing feels random to a six-year-old; announced, it is a game they can win.
Listen.
5LaunchThe questions
· Clauses are built on subjects and verb — “Does this group have a subject and its verb?”
· A sentence can have two clause — “How many subject-verb cores are there?”
· Clauses can hold phrase — “Is there a subject and verb, or only a phrase?”
· I will not tell you which is coming.
· Listen for the question, THEN answer.		“Clauses are built on subjects and verb: “Does this group have a subject and its verb?” · A sentence can have two clause: “How many subject-verb cores are there?” · Clauses can hold phrase: “Is there a subject and verb, or only a phrase?”. I will not tell you which is coming.”Click per line. Write the questions on the board and leave them up.Listen.
6I doToday — I do highlighted“Watch me work out which question it is — then do one.”Point to I do.Watch.
7I doI-do example
Watch me do one
the exact task, modelled — sentence · question · ring it · name it		“The bird flew.” … “Does this group have a subject and its verb?” … “flew — a clause.” “Your turn: same question, on your board.”One click per move: the sentence · the question · ring the word and name it · hand it over. Do it exactly the way you want them to do it — this is the task they are about to do on their boards, not a different, easier one.
Note: Model the DOING, not only the thinking. The ring is the same mark they will make; the wording is the same wording you want back.
Watch. Hands still.
—I do(board — build the VIP, then leave it up)(you are narrating each stage as you draw it — see the stages)Build on the BOARD, not the slide.
· Write The bird flew.
· ① Write the question underneath: Does this group have a subject and its verb?
· ② Try it on flew — “flew” — it works
· ③ Ring flew and name it: a clause
Then leave it up for the whole lesson.
Note: Walk it one click per step — this is the slide the teacher talks through, not one to flash. Leave the BOARD copy up; the slide can move on once they start, because the same strip is printed at the top of their sheet. Come back to it if anyone stalls.
Watch it being built. It stays there to look at.
8We doToday — We do highlighted“Together. Boards out.”Boards out.Boards ready.
9We doAppositive phrases appear immediately after the nouns that they define, and they typically contain a noun and attendant words.
Does this group have a subject and its verb?
Answerfind the clauses are built on subjects and verb		“Appositive phrases appear immediately after the nouns that they define, and they typically contain a noun and attendant words.” … “Does this group have a subject and its verb?”Say the SENTENCE, then point at the question as you say it. Boards up on signal.Decide which question, then answer.
10We doWhen you write each clause, notice the real subject, and make sure that your verb matches it and only it.
How many subject-verb cores are there?
Answerfind the a sentence can have two clause		“When you write each clause, notice the real subject, and make sure that your verb matches it and only it.” … “How many subject-verb cores are there?”Say the SENTENCE, then point at the question as you say it. Boards up on signal.Decide which question, then answer.
11We doThey walked past the frog, and under the bough, and 'round the rock, and past the beetle busy being himself.
How many subject-verb cores are there?
Answerfind the a sentence can have two clause		“They walked past the frog, and under the bough, and 'round the rock, and past the beetle busy being himself.” … “How many subject-verb cores are there?”Say the SENTENCE, then point at the question as you say it. Boards up on signal.Decide which question, then answer.
12We doMaybe stormed in from stage right, Bizzie scrambling behind, and Joe snapped on the lights, with their cricky complaints.
Is there a subject and verb, or only a phrase?
Answerfind the clauses can hold phrase		“Maybe stormed in from stage right, Bizzie scrambling behind, and Joe snapped on the lights, with their cricky complaints.” … “Is there a subject and verb, or only a phrase?”Say the SENTENCE, then point at the question as you say it. Boards up on signal.Decide which question, then answer.
13You doExit directions
Before you start
· Sheet and pencil
· Read the question above each one BEFORE you answer it
· Find the clauses are built on subjects and verb or the a sentence can have two clause or the clauses can hold phrase
· Do all of them, then look up
· Wait for “go”.
procedure — given standing still, before anyone moves
Worksheet — Lesson 4
“Before you move. Sheet and pencil. Read the question above each one BEFORE you answer it. Find the clauses are built on subjects and verb or the a sentence can have two clause or the clauses can hold phrase. Do all of them, then look up. When I say go — and not before.”Exit Directions. Give ALL of it standing still, before anyone touches anything. Then release. Do not add instructions once they are working — that is what the VIP on the board is for.
Note: Given BEFORE the release, in one go. Adding a step mid-task is what produces the hands going up.
Listen with hands still. Then start.
14You doVIP slide
How we did it together
the worked example — one click per step
1. Write The bird flew.
2. ① Write the question underneath: Does this group have a subject and its verb?
3. ② Try it on flew — “flew” — it works
4. ③ Ring flew and name it: a clause
Worksheet — Lesson 4
“On your own. Read the question first, every time.”Watch for children answering the previous question out of habit — that is the error this day exists to surface.Work alone.
15ClosureToday — Closure highlighted“Boards up one more time.”Point to Closure.Boards ready.
16ClosureFrom some leaves, a green frog watched them pass, with the shadows trailing behind, and she said rurp.
Answerfind the clauses can hold phrase		“Last one — and I am not telling you which question.”Boards up on signal. Reveal.Answer. Hold up.
17ClosureListen for the question first.“Listen for the question first.”Collect boards.Repeat it.

If it breaks — stop and repair

Do not move on. Reteach with the sheet named against the error, and let the float absorb it.

Secure looks like: Answers the right question for each item without prompting, and self-corrects when they realize they answered the previous one.

Common errors

  • Calls a phrase a clause
    Both are groups of words.
    → “Where is its subject? Where is its verb? No core, no clause.” Remedial sheet 28
  • Finds one clause when there are two
    The first-hit search habit again.
    → “How many subject-verb cores can you find?” Remedial sheet 28
  • Calls a phrase a clause
    Both are groups of words.
    → “Where is its subject? Where is its verb? No core, no clause.” Remedial sheet 28
  • Finds one clause when there are two
    The first-hit search habit again.
    → “How many subject-verb cores can you find?” Remedial sheet 28
  • Calls a phrase a clause
    Both are groups of words.
    → “Where is its subject? Where is its verb? No core, no clause.” Remedial sheet 28
  • Finds one clause when there are two
    The first-hit search habit again.
    → “How many subject-verb cores can you find?” Remedial sheet 28

Three tiers

CoreAs written.
Bridge2–3 word items only. Teacher does the first one with the student.
FoundationOne word at a time; student echoes, then one clap. No sentences yet.

Non-verbal cue

Clauses are built on subjects and verb: both hands framing a two-part shape · A sentence can have two clause: both hands framing a two-part shape · Clauses can hold phrase: both hands framing a two-part shape
Question continuum: “How many claps?” (concrete) → “How do you know that was one word and not two?” (open)
As-Suffah Academy · Language Arts · Grade 7 · Lesson 4 Launch → I do → We do → You do → Closure