Subject Match Monitoring Key
Teacher Tool Active Circulation Guide
Subject Match Monitoring Key
Skill: Subject-Verb Agreement
Focus: Singular & Plural Conjugations
Criteria for Success (CFS) & Decision Protocol
Step 1: Identify Subject
Find who does the action. Label person (1st, 2nd, 3rd) and number (singular [1] vs. plural [2+]).
Step 2: Apply Present Rule
He/She/It adds -s/-es. I/You/We/They use the base verb form with no added ending.
Step 3: Check "To Be" Form
Irregular forms: I am, He/She/It is/was, You/We/They are/were.
Target Items: Exemplar Answers & Rationale
Independent Practice Verification
| # | Student Prompt | Correct Verb | Subject Breakdown | Grammar Rule / Reason |
|---|
| 1 | I _____ (run/runs) to store. | run | I (1st Sing.) | First-person singular requires base form; no -s. |
| 2 | You _____ (bring/brings) bag. | bring | You (2nd Person) | Second-person (sing. or plur.) uses base form. |
| 3 | He _____ (walk/walks) alone. | walks | He (3rd Sing.) | Third-person singular present rule requires adding -s. |
| 4 | They _____ (is/are) happy. | are | They (3rd Plur.) | Irregular "to be" present plural form is are (not is). |
| 5 | I _____ (am/is) happy to see. | am | I (1st Sing.) | Unique first-person singular of "to be" is am. |
| 6 | I (walk/walks/walked) ... yest. | walked | I + Past Clue | "Yesterday" signals simple past; requires -ed. |
| 7 | He (want/wanted/wants) today. | wants | He + Pres. Clue | "Today" signals present; 3rd singular adds -s. |
| 8 | They (run/runs/ran) everyday. | run | They + Habitual | Habitual present with plural subject takes base form. |
Misconception Radar & Instant Coaching Cues
Noun vs. Verb S-Rule
Student thinks adding -s makes a verb plural because nouns add -s for plural.
Circulation Verbal Prompt:
"Nouns add -s for many, but verbs do the opposite! Only ONE person (he/she/it) gives the verb an -s. Who is doing the action here?"
"To Be" Defaulting
Student uses is for all subjects (e.g., writes "I is happy" or "They is").
Circulation Verbal Prompt:
"Check our 'to be' chart. 'Is' is only for he, she, or it. What special word do we always pair with 'I'? Look at row one."
Tense Clue Blindness
Student chooses present form (walks) despite past time words (yesterday).
Circulation Verbal Prompt:
"Circle the time word. Does 'yesterday' mean right now or the past? What suffix shows the action already happened?"
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Aggressive Monitoring
Circulation Lap Tracker
Class / Period: _________________
Date: _________________
1 Lap 1: Subject Identification First 3-5 Mins
Check student markings: Did they underline/label the subject? Can they name if it is singular (1) or plural (2+)? Prompt immediately if skipped.
2 Lap 2: Verb Agreement & -s Rule Next 5-8 Mins
Check Q3 (walks) and Q4 (are). Verify -s is only applied to 3rd person singular. Fast Codes: ✓ Mastered | -S Misapplied | BE Form error.
| # | Student Name | Lap 1 (Subj) | Lap 2 (Q3: -s) | Lap 2 (Q4-5: Be) | Quick Note / Error Code | Huddle? |
|---|
| 1 | | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | | Y / N |
| 2 | | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | | Y / N |
| 3 | | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | | Y / N |
| 4 | | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | | Y / N |
| 5 | | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | | Y / N |
| 6 | | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | | Y / N |
| 7 | | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | | Y / N |
| 8 | | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | | Y / N |
| 9 | | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | | Y / N |
| 10 | | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | | Y / N |
| 11 | | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | | Y / N |
| 12 | | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | | Y / N |
| 13 | | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | | Y / N |
| 14 | | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | | Y / N |
| 15 | | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | | Y / N |
| 16 | | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | | Y / N |
Immediate Re-teach Huddle (3-4 Students)
Target: Students struggling with 3rd-person singular -s ending.
Whole-Class Showdown / Debrief Focus
If >30% miss Q3 or Q4, pause class and model with this prompt:
"Show of fingers: He walks (1 finger) or He walk (2 fingers)? Remember: ONE subject gives the verb a superpower -S!"
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