Lesson 20: Changing "Has" and "Have" — Teacher Guide
Core Linguistic Concepts & Pedagogy
• Two-Way Concord Transformation: Changing the verb between has (singular) and have (plural) requires transforming the subject noun between singular and plural.
• Sentence Type Integrity: Statements must remain declarative statements (ending with .); questions must remain interrogative questions (ending with ?).
• Vocabulary In Context: Leaves in item 1 refers to the pages/sheets of a book (as in "loose-leaf" or "turn over a new leaf"), not tree foliage.
| # |
Original Sentence (Book) |
Transformed Sentence (Answer Key) |
Concord & Grammatical Transformation Notes |
| 1. |
The book has leaves. |
The books have leaves. |
Singular statement ("book has") → Plural statement ("books have"). Changes has to have and singular book to plural books. |
| 2. |
The ships have sails. |
The ship has sails. |
Plural statement ("ships have") → Singular statement ("ship has"). Changes have to has and plural ships to singular ship. (Also acceptable: The ship has a sail.) |
| 3. |
Have the doors hinges? |
Has the door hinges? |
Plural question ("Have...doors") → Singular question ("Has...door"). Changes Have to Has and plural doors to singular door. Ends with (?). |
| 4. |
Has the apple seeds? |
Have the apples seeds? |
Singular question ("Has...apple") → Plural question ("Have...apples"). Changes Has to Have and singular apple to plural apples. Ends with (?). |
| 5. |
Has the boy a kind sister? |
Have the boys a kind sister? |
Singular question ("Has...boy") → Plural question ("Have...boys"). Changes Has to Have and singular boy to plural boys. (Also acceptable: Have the boys kind sisters?) |
| 6. |
The girls have pretty dolls. |
The girl has pretty dolls. |
Plural statement ("girls have") → Singular statement ("girl has"). Changes have to has and plural girls to singular girl. (Also acceptable: The girl has a pretty doll.) |
🗣 The Subject-Verb Domino Effect
Demonstrate to students that verbs cannot be swapped in isolation. Emphasize:
"The book have" and
"The ships has" sound unnatural because the naming word and the linking verb must move together as partners!
✍️ Preserving Sentence End Marks
Remind students that statements (items 1, 2, 6) must strictly end with periods (.), while questions (items 3, 4, 5) must preserve their interrogative tone and end with question marks (?).
🔍 Vocabulary: Leaves of a Book
Point out the fascinating word history: a single sheet of paper in a bound volume is called a
leaf (plural
leaves). This is where phrases like
"turn over a new leaf" and
"folio" originate.
🌟 Oral Transformation Drills
Say the book sentence aloud and have students respond immediately with the transformed version in chorus. Auditory reinforcement ensures automatic grammatical accuracy before pencil touches paper.
Pedagogical Standard
Aligned with Classical Trivium Grammar Stage & CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1.C, L.1.1.J, L.1.2.B