Let's Move and Learn! Discovering Action Verbs with Jack Hartmann

English Language Arts Grades Pre-K 2:51 Video
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Lesson Description

This lesson uses the Jack Hartmann's 'Action Verbs' song to introduce Pre-K students to action verbs, encouraging movement and understanding of how verbs describe actions.

Video Resource

Action Verbs | Reading & Writing Song for Kids | Verb Song | Jack Hartmann

Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel

Duration: 2:51
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Action verbs are words that describe actions.
  • Action verbs make us move.
  • We use action verbs when we talk and write.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify action verbs through movement.
  • Students will be able to give examples of action verbs.
  • Students will be able to understand that action verbs tell what someone or something is doing.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students if they know what actions are. Have them do some simple actions like clapping, waving, or jumping. Tell them today we are going to learn about words that tell us what actions are called.
  • Video Time! (5 mins)
    Play the Jack Hartmann 'Action Verbs' video. Encourage students to sing along and do the actions as they are mentioned in the song.
  • Action Verb Charades (10 mins)
    After watching the video, play a game of action verb charades. Whisper an action verb (from the song or other simple actions) to a student, and have them act it out. The other students guess the action verb. Examples: jump, spin, swim, fly, stomp, pump, crisscross.
  • Draw and Tell (10 mins)
    Give each student a piece of paper and crayons. Ask them to draw a picture of themselves doing an action verb (e.g., running, eating, reading). Then, have them tell the class what action they are doing in their picture. Help them use the word 'I am [action verb]-ing.'
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review what action verbs are and sing the chorus of the song one last time. Encourage students to keep an eye out for action verbs in their daily lives.

Interactive Exercises

  • Simon Says - Action Verb Edition
    Play a game of Simon Says, but only use action verbs! For example, 'Simon Says jump!', 'Simon Says spin!', 'Simon Says clap!'

Discussion Questions

  • What is an action verb?
  • What are some action verbs you saw in the video?
  • What action verbs can you think of that aren't in the song?

Skills Developed

  • Listening comprehension
  • Vocabulary development
  • Gross motor skills
  • Verbal expression

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What kind of word tells you what to do?

Correct Answer: An action word

Question 2:

In the song, what did they say is an action word?

Correct Answer: Fly

Question 3:

Which of these is something you can DO?

Correct Answer: Run

Question 4:

When you _____ , you go up and down.

Correct Answer: Jump

Question 5:

What is this person doing?

Correct Answer: Dancing

Question 6:

What is the word used when moving around in a circle?

Correct Answer: Spin

Question 7:

Which one of these actions helps you when you are hot?

Correct Answer: Swim

Question 8:

If you make an X with your arms, what are you doing?

Correct Answer: Crisscross

Question 9:

Which action helps you if you have water on the ground?

Correct Answer: Stomp

Question 10:

What is an action verb?

Correct Answer: A doing word

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

You can _____ high in the sky.

Correct Answer: fly

Question 2:

When you move like a horse, you _____.

Correct Answer: gallop

Question 3:

If you want to get water out of a tire, you _____ it.

Correct Answer: pump

Question 4:

When you move with two lines, you _____.

Correct Answer: crisscross

Question 5:

To push with your feet, you _____.

Correct Answer: stomp

Question 6:

A word that tells what you do is an _____ verb.

Correct Answer: action

Question 7:

When you want to go over something, you can _____

Correct Answer: jump

Question 8:

When you move around and around, you _____

Correct Answer: spin

Question 9:

Fish can _____ in the water.

Correct Answer: swim

Question 10:

An action verb makes you want to _____.

Correct Answer: move

Educational Standards

PK.5.R.2:Students will hear different parts of speech through conversations, read-alouds, and interactive reading: concrete objects as persons, places, or things (i.e., nouns), words as actions (i.e., verbs), color adjectives, spatial and time relationships such as up, down, before, and after. PK.7.W:Students will begin to combine movement with relevant props, images, or illustrations to support their writing and speaking. PK.2.F.2:Students will chorally recite familiar texts (e.g., rhymes, songs, poetry, etc.). PK.1.L.2:Students will follow simple one-step oral directions.

Teaching Materials

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