Lesson 5: Statements with "Is" and "Are" - Teacher Answer Key & Explanatory Guide

Subject-Verb Agreement: Reinforce that singular nouns select is, while plural nouns select are.
Morphological Plurality: Observe the singular/plural contrast (slate/slates, apple/apples, desk/desks).
Determiner Awareness: Teach that singular countable nouns require an article (a/an/the), whereas plural nouns may stand alone.

Choral Repetition: Have pupils recite contrasts aloud: "One apple is sweet; two apples are sweet."
Predicate Diversity: Encourage varied predicates (colors, locations, descriptions).
Mechanics Drill: Insist on initial capital letter and final period (.) for each complete statement.

#	Exemplary Model Statement (Accept Varied Content)	Grammatical Core	Teacher Evaluation Notes
1	A slate is black and smooth. (Alt: The slate is on my desk.)	Singular noun (a slate) + is	Must include article (a/the) + singular verb is + period.
2	A desk is in the schoolroom. (Alt: The desk is clean and tidy.)	Singular noun (a desk) + is	Verify singular agreement; check capitalization of 'A' or 'The'.
3	An apple is sweet and red. (Alt: The apple is ripe.)	Indefinite an + noun + is	High-value point: check for an (not a apple) + is.
4	A book is on the wooden table. (Alt: The book is good to read.)	Singular noun (a book) + is	Full declarative statement required; must express complete thought.
5	Slates are useful in school. (Alt: The slates are clean.)	Plural noun (slates) + are	No a before slates! Must match plural subject to are.
6	Desks are arranged neatly in rows. (Alt: The desks are brown.)	Plural noun (desks) + are	Verify plural verb are; terminal period required.
7	Apples are ripe in the autumn. (Alt: The apples are red and sweet.)	Plural noun (apples) + are	Bare plural or 'The apples' acceptable; verify are.
8	Books are full of knowledge. (Alt: Our books are new.)	Plural noun (books) + are	Plural subject matches are; confirm final period.

Extension Vocabulary Model Statements (Oral Practice & Advanced Fast-Finishers)

pencil / pencils:
• A pencil is sharp. (Singular + is)
• The pencils are in the box. (Plural + are)

picture / pictures:
• A picture is on the wall. (Singular + is)
• Pictures are beautiful to see. (Plural + are)

table / tables:
• The table is round and sturdy. (Singular + is)
• Tables are made of wood. (Plural + are)

door / doors:
• The door is open. (Singular + is)
• The doors are painted white. (Plural + are)

Bare Singular Noun: Writing *Apple is sweet* without an article. Explain: "Singular counting words always need a friend like a, an, or the."
Plural Overgeneralization: Writing *A slates are...*. Remind child: "A means exactly ONE; you cannot use a with plural -s words."
Verb Mismatch: Writing *The apples is...*. Guide child to check the end of the subject noun for '-s'.

Subject-Verb Agreement (is / are) 4 pts (0.5 pt × 8)

Articles & Number Accuracy 2 pts

Capital Letter at Beginning 2 pts

Terminal Period (.) & Neatness 2 pts