As a teacher, verbals might not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning grammar lessons. And to be honest most people probably have no idea what verbals even are. (Sound familiar? That’s likely what your students think, too!) But trust me, teaching verbals doesn’t have to feel like pulling teeth.
With the right tools and strategies, you can turn this abstract concept into something tangible and approachable for your 8th graders.
What Are they?
First things first: let’s define verbals. Verbals are verb forms that function as other parts of speech, such as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. They include gerunds, participles, and infinitives. Each type has a unique role:
- Gerunds: Verb forms ending in -ing that function as nouns (e.g., Swimming is my favorite sport).
- Participles: Verb forms used as adjectives or as part of verb phrases (e.g., The broken vase needs to be replaced).
- Infinitives: Verb forms preceded by “to” that can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs (e.g., To travel is my dream).
Verbals are unique because they blur the line between verbs and other parts of speech, serving as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs while still retaining some characteristics of verbs. Specifically, gerunds act as nouns, participles function as adjectives, and infinitives can serve as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs
Verbals might seem tricky at first glance, but with a little creativity and some engaging activities, your students will soon grasp these concepts and learn how to apply them in their writing.
Challenges of Teaching Verbals in 8th Grade
Students often struggle with abstract grammar concepts, and verbals can seem like an entirely foreign language to them at first. However, if we break down each type of verbal and show how they work in sentences, we will demystify this standard.
The key is to make it relatable, visual, and interactive. When we use creative strategies, like doodle notes or hands-on activities students start to connect the dots and see how grammar works in real-world contexts.
Teaching Verbals in the Classroom
Doodle notes are one of my favorite ways to introduce verbals.
Take a look at this example below:
This doodle note breaks verbals down into manageable pieces, giving students definitions, examples, and categories all in one spot. Each petal of the flower highlights a type of verbal: gerunds, participles (both present and past), and infinitives. It’s visually appealing and designed to help students organize their thoughts while staying engaged.
Students can color, annotate, and interact with the notes while learning about gerunds, participles, and infinitives. This multisensory approach helps reinforce the material and makes it more engaging for students.
When I use these in my classroom, we first go over the definition of verbals together. Then, I have students fill in their doodle notes as we work through examples as a class. This interactive approach allows them to take ownership of their learning. Once the notes are complete, students use them to identify verbals in a passage or to create sentences of their own.
Want to try these Doodle note for yourself?
Click below to grab your FREE Verbal Doodles Notes!
If you’re new to doodle notes, check out my blog post, Doodle Notes in ELA: How-To Guide. It’s packed with tips on how to use them effectively in your classroom and why they work so well for students.
Why Focus on Verbals?
It’s easy to overlook verbals in the grand scheme of grammar lessons. But helping students understand how verbals work makes a noticeable difference in their writing. Verbals add depth, variety, and sophistication to sentences—something students need as they prepare for high school and beyond.
Your Turn to Try Doodle Notes and More!
Not sure if doodle notes are the right fit for your classroom? This is your chance to see just how effective they can be. You can try two full weeks of grammar resources for free—no strings attached! Here’s what you’ll get:
- Daily Language Review: Build consistency and reinforce key grammar skills every single day.
- A Mini-Lesson: Focused on essential grammar concepts, like verbals, to keep your lessons aligned with the 8th-grade standard.
- Doodle Notes: These interactive and visually engaging notes make abstract concepts like gerunds, participles, and infinitives more accessible and fun for students.
- A Hands-On Activity: Bring grammar to life with interactive activities that get your students moving and thinking.
- Assessments: Simple, standards-aligned tools to check for understanding and help guide your next steps in instruction.
This free trial is designed to give you a taste of how these resources can transform your classroom. And guess what? You’re not just getting resources you’re getting tools that save time, enhance engagement, and align directly with CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.1.a. That’s the 8th-grade standard that focuses on helping students explain the function of verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives) in general and in particular sentences.
Teaching 8th graders can be challenging, especially with a concept as abstract as verbals. But with these resources, you’ll have everything you need to make this standard approachable, engaging, and dare I say it…fun!
Click the image below to grab your free two weeks of grammar resources today!
