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Printable 3rd Grade Singular Verb Endings Practice
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This Grade 3 ELA worksheet targets third-person singular verb endings. By selecting -s or -es inflections, students improve subject-verb agreement and spelling. This practice ensures learners can apply inflectional rules in writing and reading.
At a Glance
- Grade: 3 · Subject: ELA
- Standard:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1.E— Form and use the simple present verb tenses accurately- Skill Focus: Third person singular -s and -es endings
- Format: 1 page · 7 problems · Answer key included · PDF
- Best For: Small group grammar practice
- Time: 10–15 minutes
What's Inside
This single-page printable includes 7 targeted problems designed to test a student's auditory and visual recognition of verb endings. Each task features a "Listen and choose" prompt where students select between "s" or "es" for the third-person singular form. The clean, distraction-free layout includes a full answer key to facilitate rapid grading or student self-correction during independent center time.
Skill Progression
- Guided practice: The first 3 problems build confidence in the basic -s versus -es distinction.
- Supported practice: 2 middle tasks require distinguishing complex phonetic endings.
- Independent practice: The final 2 problems reinforce the rule through repetition.
This gradual-release approach moves from teacher-led modeling to independent application through an I Do, We Do, You Do instructional sequence.
Standards Alignment
The primary standard addressed is `CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1.E`, which requires students to form and use the simple verb tenses correctly. Mastery of -s and -es endings is a foundational component of this standard, as it ensures proper subject-verb agreement in the present tense. Both standard codes can be copied directly into lesson plans, IEP goals, or district curriculum mapping tools.
How to Use It
Use this worksheet as a quick formative assessment after a direct instruction lesson on verb conjugation rules. Distribute the page and have students listen to the verb provided by the teacher, then circle the correct ending. This allows you to observe which students are struggling with the specific phonemic cues for the -es ending. Expect completion within 10-15 minutes.
Who It's For
This resource is designed for Grade 3 students but is also appropriate for Grade 2 enrichment or Grade 4/5 intervention. It is particularly useful for English Language Learners (ELLs) who need explicit practice with English verb morphology. Pair this worksheet with a grammar anchor chart on verb endings for maximum instructional impact during literacy blocks.
The development of morphological awareness, specifically regarding inflectional endings like the third-person singular -s and -es, is a predictive factor in long-term literacy success. This worksheet aligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1.E by providing students with the targeted practice necessary to internalize these grammatical conventions. According to Fisher & Frey (2014), the use of focused, scaffolded practice within a gradual release of responsibility framework is essential for moving students toward independent mastery of complex language structures. By isolating the phonemic and orthographic rules of verb endings, this resource helps students bridge the gap between spoken language and formal written expression. The inclusion of seven distinct tasks provides sufficient repetition to reinforce the rule without causing cognitive overload. Educators can utilize these findings to justify the integration of specific grammar drills into broader communicative language teaching strategies.
