The Idea
A silly activity to learn more about nouns.
The Execution
Once my kids start to understand nouns and verbs, I introduce them to the concept of subjects and direct objects. “Some nouns DO the verb; some nouns have the verb done TO them!” And wouldn’t it be silly if they were switched…
Print out a picture from the links below and allow children to color them if desired. Create small cards for each word in the sentence. (If you’ve done Grammar Gardening, try to be consistent in the colors you are using for nouns, verbs, etc.) Have your child try to create the sentence that describes each picture. Next, ask them to find the verb and the nouns. Show them what happens when you switch the two nouns; explain the difference between subjects and direct objects.
For an older child who enjoys drawing, ask them to draw the picture; then ask them to draw the picture when the nouns are switched.
Subject: Who? or What? + verb
Direct Object: verb + What? or Whom?
The crocodile holds the balloons.
The mermaid rides the dolphin.
The Extension
If your child is doing copywork at this age, ask him if he can find a direct object in his next copywork. What would his new copywork be if the subject and direct object were switched?
Eclectic Ed 