Lesson 4: "Is" and "Are" in Statements - Teacher Answer Key & Explanatory Guide

Subject-Verb Concord: Understand that singular subjects take is, while plural subjects take are.
Morphological Cueing: Recognize plural nouns marked with the suffix -s (boys, girls, apples, books).
Transcription Accuracy: Reinforce initial capitalization and terminal period placement.

Common Core ELA-LITERACY:

• L.1.1.c: Use singular and plural nouns with matching verbs in basic sentences.

• L.1.1.j: Produce complete simple declarative sentences.

• L.1.2.b: Use end punctuation for sentences (periods).

Item	Complete Sentence / Target Answer	Grammatical Agreement Note	Scoring & Handwriting Focus
1	The boy is here.	Singular noun (boy) → verb is.	Capital The; exact copying; terminal period required.
2	The boys are here.	Plural noun with -s (boys) → verb are.	Observe contrast with Item 1. Check space between words.
3	The girl is happy.	Singular noun (girl) → verb is.	Capital The; correct spelling of happy.
4	The girls are happy.	Plural noun with -s (girls) → verb are.	Observe contrast with Item 3. Verify terminal period.
5	The bell is ringing. → The bell is ringing.	Singular subject (bell = one) → is.	Check correct word choice in blank and full sentence rewrite.
6	The cherry is ripe. → The cherry is ripe.	Singular subject (cherry = one) → is.	Ensure student writes is, not are. Accurate period.
7	The apples are sweet. → The apples are sweet.	Plural subject (apples = more than one) → are.	Subject has plural -s; requires are. Legible handwriting.
8	Our books are new. → Our books are new.	Plural subject (books = more than one) → are.	Capital Our; plural concord with are; end period.

4 - Advanced 8/8 correct; flawless discrimination of singular/plural agreement; neat handwriting & periods.

3 - Proficient 7/8 correct; demonstrates clear grasp of is vs. are; 1 minor punctuation slip.

2 - Developing Inconsistent selection in Part B (e.g. confuses apples are with apples is); missing periods.

1 - Beginning Chooses is/are randomly; cannot identify whether the subject refers to one or more than one.

The "S-Trap": Beginners sometimes match the -s in apples with the s in is. Emphasize: "A noun with -s has friends, so it needs the bigger word ARE!"
Kinesthetic Clapping: Have students hold up 1 finger when reading singular subjects (The bell) and flash both hands for plural (The apples).
Oral Expansion: Point to items in the classroom (The clock is... / The desks are...) to reinforce automaticity before writing.

Lesson 4: "Is" and "Are" in Statements • Teacher Guide