Understanding Action, Linking, and Helping Verbs
Exploring Verbs with Peter Pan and Tinker Bell
Students will learn about action verbs, linking verbs, and helping verbs, understanding how they express actions and states of being in sentences.
This lesson enhances grammar skills, helping students write more effectively by using different types of verbs appropriately.
Actions and States
The World of Verbs
Verbs are the heartbeat of our sentences. They tell us what action is happening or the state of being of the subject.

Understanding verbs is important because they help us express actions, feelings, and conditions clearly in our writing.
Lesson Goals

 

Learn what verbs are and their roles in sentences

Identify action verbs in sentences

Recognize linking verbs and their function

Understand helping verbs and how they form verb phrases

Use different types of verbs appropriately in your own writing

5th Grade

Verbs in Motion
An Adventure in Action
Get ready to join Peter Pan and Tinker Bell on an exciting journey\! This story is filled with actions and experiences that bring verbs to life.

As you read, pay attention to the verbs used. Notice how they express what the characters are doing and feeling.
Chapter 3
Learning to Fly
Peter Pan and Tinker Bell stood on the highest rooftop in London, the city lights twinkling below like a sea of stars.

Peter gazed into the distance, his eyes filled with a mix of excitement and longing.

"I want to see Neverland," he declared, turning to face Tinker Bell.

"I need to explore it for myself."

She smiled warmly at him.

"I can help you get there," she replied.

"But first, you must learn how to fly."

He blinked in surprise.

"Fly?" he echoed.

"But I don't have wings."

She laughed lightly.

"You don't need wings," she assured him.

"All you need is a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith."

He looked skeptical but intrigued.

"Do you really think I can do it?" he asked.

"I believe you can," she said confidently.

"Do you believe in yourself?"

He considered her question.

"I want to believe," he admitted.

"But I'm not sure how."

Tinker Bell fluttered closer, her wings shimmering.

"Close your eyes," she instructed.

He obeyed, shutting his eyes tightly.

"Now, think of the happiest thoughts you can," she continued.

"Imagine yourself soaring through the sky."

He pictured himself gliding among the clouds, the wind rushing past his face.

A smile spread across his lips.

She sprinkled golden pixie dust over his head, the tiny sparks drifting down around him.

"Alright," she said softly.

"Open your eyes."

Peter opened his eyes and looked down.

"Hey!" he exclaimed.

"I'm floating!"

His feet were no longer touching the rooftop.

He wobbled slightly, arms flailing.

"Whoa, how do I control this?" he asked nervously.

Tinker Bell giggled.

"Relax," she advised.

"Let yourself feel the movement."

He took a deep breath and tried to steady himself.

Gradually, he began to feel more comfortable.

"This is incredible!" he shouted joyfully.

"I'm really flying!"

She nodded.

"Yes, you are," she affirmed.

"Now, shall we take to the sky?"

He grinned widely.

"Absolutely!" he agreed.

They ascended higher, leaving the rooftops behind.

The city stretched out below them, a tapestry of lights and shadows.

Peter's heart raced with exhilaration.

He tilted forward and soared ahead, the cool night air whipping through his hair.

"This feels amazing!" he called out.

Tinker Bell flew alongside him, her laughter ringing like chimes.

"You're a natural," she praised.

They weaved between the clouds, which glowed softly in the moonlight.

Stars glittered all around them, closer than Peter had ever seen before.

He reached out as if to touch one.

"The stars are beautiful," he remarked.

"I never knew they were so bright."

"There's so much more to discover," Tinker Bell told him.

"Neverland is just beyond the horizon."

He felt a surge of determination.

"I can't wait to get there," he said eagerly.

They flew over the Thames River, which glistened like a ribbon of silver beneath them.

The bridges and buildings looked tiny from their height.

Peter practiced looping and spinning, growing more confident with each moment.

"Look at me!" he shouted, performing a daring spiral.

Tinker Bell clapped her hands.

"Well done!" she cheered.

He laughed, feeling truly alive.

"Thank you for teaching me," he said sincerely.

"I couldn't have done it without you."

"You had the ability all along," she replied.

"You just needed to believe."

They continued flying, the night enveloping them like a comforting blanket.

Peter glanced back at the receding city lights.

"Goodbye, London," he whispered.

"I'm off to new adventures."

Tinker Bell pointed ahead.

"See that bright star?" she asked.

"That's the way to Neverland."

He followed her gaze.

A particularly radiant star shone in the distance.

"Second star to the right and straight on till morning," she recited.

He smiled.

"Then that's where we're headed," he declared.

They flew onward, their spirits high.

Peter felt a newfound confidence blossoming within him.

He realized that trying new things wasn't so scary after all.

With Tinker Bell by his side, he knew that anything was possible.

"This is just the beginning," he thought to himself.

The vast sky stretched out before them, filled with endless possibilities.

Key Terms

Learn Key Definitions

01

Key Term

Action Verb
An action verb expresses physical or mental actions performed by the subject. Action verbs are important because they show what the subject is doing.

Example:

Peter flew over the city.
Flew is an action verb showing what Peter is doing—flying over the city.

02

Key Term

Linking Verb
A linking verb connects the subject to more information about the subject, often a state of being or condition. Common linking verbs include am, is, are, was, were, seem, and become.

Example:

Tinker Bell is a fairy.
Is is a linking verb connecting Tinker Bell to information about her being a fairy.

03

Key Term

Helping Verb
A helping verb works with a main verb to form a verb phrase, showing tense, mood, or voice. Common helping verbs include have, has, had, do, does, did, will, shall, can, could, and should.

Example:

They are flying to Neverland.
Are is a helping verb used with the main verb flying to form the verb phrase are flying, indicating the present continuous tense.
Identifying Action Verbs

Expressing Actions

In your writing, use action verbs to show what your characters are doing. This makes your stories more dynamic and interesting.

Practice identifying action verbs in sentences and think about how they convey movement and actions.
Action verbs tell us what the subject of a sentence is doing. They express physical actions like run, jump, and fly, as well as mental actions like think, believe, and wonder.

By using action verbs, we make our writing lively and show clear actions taking place.
Peter climbs the rooftop.
Climbs is an action verb showing what Peter is doing—climbing.
Tinker Bell sparkles brightly.
Sparkles is an action verb describing Tinker Bell's action of sparkling.
Peter dreams about adventures.
Dreams is an action verb showing Peter's mental action of dreaming.
They explore the skies together.
Explore is an action verb indicating the action they are performing—exploring.
Understanding Linking Verbs

Connecting Ideas

Use linking verbs in your writing to connect your subjects to descriptions or conditions. This adds depth to your sentences.

Practice identifying linking verbs and consider how they help describe your subjects.
Linking verbs do not show action. Instead, they connect the subject of a sentence to additional information about the subject. They often describe a state of being or condition.

Common linking verbs include am, is, are, was, were, seem, and become. Using linking verbs helps us describe and define subjects more clearly.
Peter is excited about flying.
Is is a linking verb connecting Peter to his state of being excited.
The sky looks beautiful tonight.
Looks is a linking verb describing the sky's appearance.
Tinker Bell seems happy.
Seems is a linking verb linking Tinker Bell to her state of being happy.
They are ready for adventure.
Are is a linking verb connecting they to the adjective ready.
Using Helping Verbs

Forming Verb Phrases

Incorporate helping verbs in your writing to create verb phrases that express different tenses and moods.

Practice combining helping verbs with main verbs to add variety and precision to your sentences.
Helping verbs assist the main verb in a sentence to form a verb phrase. They help indicate tense, mood, or voice, providing more information about the action.

Common helping verbs include have, has, had, do, does, did, will, shall, can, could, and should. Using helping verbs allows us to express more complex ideas.
Peter has learned to fly.
Has is a helping verb used with learned to form the verb phrase has learned, indicating the present perfect tense.
They will travel to Neverland.
Will is a helping verb used with travel to form the future tense verb phrase will travel.
Tinker Bell can help Peter.
Can is a helping verb indicating ability, used with help to form can help.
They are going to explore new places.
Are is a helping verb used with going to form the verb phrase are going, indicating the present continuous tense.
Distinguishing Verb Types

Action, Linking, or Helping?

When writing, consider how verbs function in your sentences. Determine whether they are action verbs, linking verbs, or helping verbs to use them appropriately.

Practice analyzing sentences to identify the types of verbs used and understand their roles.
Sometimes, the same word can function as an action verb, linking verb, or helping verb, depending on how it's used in a sentence.

Understanding the differences helps us use verbs correctly and enhances our grammar skills.
Peter feels the wind (action verb).
Feels is an action verb showing Peter is physically sensing the wind.
Peter feels excited (linking verb).
Feels is a linking verb connecting Peter to his emotion, excited.
They are flying high (helping verb).
Are is a helping verb used with flying to form the verb phrase are flying.
They are pilots (linking verb).
Are is a linking verb connecting they to the noun pilots.

Time to Practice\!

Read each sentence below and answer the question that follows. Use your understanding of action verbs, linking verbs, and helping verbs to identify and analyze the verbs.

01

Practice

Peter jumps with joy.
Identify the verb in the sentence and state its type.
Answer
The verb is jumps—an action verb showing what Peter is doing.

02

Practice

Tinker Bell is a cheerful fairy.
Identify the verb and determine if it's an action verb or a linking verb.
Answer
The verb is is—a linking verb connecting Tinker Bell to the description cheerful fairy.

03

Practice

They are exploring the night sky.
Identify the verb phrase and the helping verb used.
Answer
The verb phrase is are exploring; the helping verb is are assisting the main verb exploring.

04

Practice

The stars shine brightly.
Is the verb an action verb or a linking verb? Explain.
Answer
The verb shine is an action verb showing what the stars are doing—shining.

05

Practice

Peter feels brave tonight.
Determine if feels is an action verb or a linking verb in this sentence.
Answer
Feels is a linking verb connecting Peter to his state of being brave.

06

Practice

She has given him pixie dust.
Identify the helping verb and the main verb in the verb phrase.
Answer
The helping verb is has; the main verb is given, forming the verb phrase has given.

07

Practice

They seem ready for adventure.
What type of verb is seem in this sentence?
Answer
Seem is a linking verb connecting they to the adjective ready.

08

Practice

He can fly across the sky.
Identify the helping verb and explain its function.
Answer
The helping verb is can, indicating ability, used with the main verb fly.

09

Practice

Tinker Bell sparkles and glows.
Are the verbs action verbs or linking verbs? List them.
Answer
The verbs sparkles and glows are action verbs showing what Tinker Bell is doing.

10

Practice

The journey becomes more exciting.
Identify the verb and its type.
Answer
The verb is becomes—a linking verb connecting journey to the description more exciting.

Strengthening Your Skills

Verbs in Action
Complete the following activities to practice using different types of verbs. Be prepared to share your work in class.
Write a short paragraph about an adventure, using at least five action verbs. Underline the action verbs in your paragraph.
Create ten sentences that include linking verbs. Highlight the linking verbs and explain how they connect the subject to additional information.
Compose five sentences using helping verbs to form verb phrases. Circle the helping verbs and underline the main verbs.
How did Peter's belief in himself change his ability to fly?
What role did Tinker Bell play in helping Peter achieve his goal?
How do action verbs in the story make the adventure more exciting and vivid?
Enhancing Grammar Understanding
Partnering in Your Child's Learning
Your support is valuable in reinforcing your child's grasp of verbs. Encourage them to identify action, linking, and helping verbs in everyday reading materials or conversations.

Engage in activities like finding verbs in books or creating sentences together. Discuss how different types of verbs function in sentences to deepen their understanding of grammar concepts learned in class.