Words and Simple Sentences: Class 1 Study Guide
A sentence is a group of words that tells us something. It starts with a capital letter and ends with a full stop.
Words name things around us: a book, a tree, a mother. Names of people, animals, places and things are called naming words (nouns). Action words (verbs) tell what someone does, such as run, jump, eat and read.
In Class 1 we build short sentences: I see a cat. The boy runs. We play in the park. Each sentence says one complete idea.
A and an
Use a before a word that begins with a consonant sound (a boy, a cat, a pen). Use an before a word that begins with a vowel sound (an apple, an egg, an owl).
| Use 'a' | Use 'an' |
|---|---|
| a bag | an ant |
| a dog | an elephant |
| a sun | an umbrella |
Is and are
Use is for one person or thing (The cat is on the mat). Use are for more than one (The cats are on the mat). Use am only with I (I am happy). Saying the sentence aloud helps you hear which one sounds right.
Making a sentence
The girl
plays
in the garden
Capital letter at the start, full stop at the end.
Worked examples and common mistakes
Fill in the blank: I see ___ egg. Answer: an. Choose is or are: The birds ___ singing. Answer: are. Common mistakes: forgetting the capital letter or the full stop, writing words with no spaces and using 'a' before vowel sounds. Always read your sentence aloud and touch each word as you read it.
Check your understanding: model answers
1. an orange, a ball. 2. Example: My school bag is blue. 3. are (because there is more than one flower).
✨ Key Takeaways
- Naming words name people, animals, places and things; action words tell what they do.
- Use a before consonant sounds and an before vowel sounds.
- Use is for one and are for more than one.
- A sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a full stop.
💬 Questions for Discussion & Reflection
- Write 'a' or 'an': ___ orange, ___ ball.
- Write a sentence about your school bag.
- Choose is or are: The flowers ___ red.
Print lined paper for writing →