Language Trees #1:
Nouns & Verbs
A sentence is like a tree. It is the trunk. The words are roots.
We will begin with a tree with only one word.
A verb can tell you to do something. It is a one-word sentence. It looks like the tree below:
Trees 1 Activity 1:
Draw and label trees for the sentences below.
1.Jump!
2.Help!
Start with a box labeled “S” for “sentence.
Add a box beneath it. Fill in the box.
Adding a Noun
Next, we will add a noun. To do that, split the roots into two sides. Place the verb on the right and the noun on the left.
Think of yourself as creating a robot. He has a square head (S). He is facing us. The verb is the right shoulder, and the noun is the left shoulder.
Label verbs V and nouns N. The following, for example, is a tree for Fireflies flicker.
Trees 1 Activity 2
Draw and label a tree for each sentence below.
1. Lions growl. |
2. Children play. |
Adding more Nouns and Verbs
Next, we can add more verbs and nouns to our tree. The tree below shows the sentence Lions chase gazelle. Notice that most of the sentence hangs from the verb.
Creating Bigger Language Trees
To create bigger language trees, follow these steps:
1. Name the parts of speech for each word in the sentence:
N N V N N
British pirates sank Spanish ships.
We can prove we are correct by applying the noun and verb tests:
The British Noun
The pirates Noun
The Spanish Noun
The ships Noun
They sank Verb
2. Create a box and label is “S” for sentence.
3. Place the first verb to the right under the sentence box.
4. Place the first word in the sentence to the left under the sentence box.
5. Put words from the beginning of the sentence on the left. Label the words.
6. Put words that follow the first verb on the right, below the verb. Label the words.
- If there is more than one verb, put the first one in the upper right. Put words that follow that verb on the right, below that verb. Label the words.
British pirates had sunk Spanish ships.
Trees 1 Activity 3
Draw and label a tree for each sentence below.
1. Dragons love wagons. |
2. Egyptian kings built pyramids. |
3. Gym users must wear tennis shoes. Hint: “The game named ___________.” |
Color the trees after your teacher approves them.
A. Use dark brown for the sentence
B. Use light brown for nouns
C. Use light green for verbs
Trees 1 Activity 4
Choose an essay and work the activity:
Choose one activity:
Trees Part 1 – Optional Activity
Write and submit an essay on one of the following general subjects. Exactly what you write on is up to you. The essay must be suitable in content and vocabulary for the indicated grade level.
Excellent essays have a chance to be published on this website and be eligible for the contest’s cash prize. For further information see “Reading or submitting an essay” under Read Me First.
What is a Noun? Optional Activity
Choose a subject from this list. Write an essay of 200-500 words. Follow the directions exactly. You can do this by yourself, in a small group, or as a class.
All essays that follow the directions will receive a Certificate of Completion,. Excellent essays have a chance to be published on this website and be eligible for the contest’s cash prize. For further information see “Reading or submitting an essay” under Read Me First.
Teachers and Parents
Teachers and parents can also participate! Use the instructions in Read Me First to guide your students through the process.
Want a chance to have your students’ writing published on this website – and possibly win an additional $500 for your classroom?
Develop an exercise for the lesson. It should differ from the one presented. The more creative and effective your exercise is, the better your chance to win the prize.
The exercise must use the grammar concept as this website explains it.