Photo of a surprised lemur
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Grammar,

The Power of Stink

In nature, the worst smells can be the best defense.

From the September 2023 Issue

Learning Objective: to practice subject-verb agreement

Featured Skill: Commonly Confused Words,
Common Core Standards
  • Anchor Standards
    L.3
  • Grade 6
    L.6.3
  • Grade 7
    L.7.3
  • Grade 8
    L.8.3
TEKS Standards
  • Grades 6, 7, 8
    2b, 10c, 10d (ix)

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Directions:

Read the hint below. Then read the blurbs that follow. Pick the correct word in each bolded word pair.

Subject-Verb Agreement

In a sentence, subjects and verbs must agree in number. If a subject is singular, use the singular form of the verb. If the subject is plural, use the plural form of the verb.

Examples:
A pan of cookies sits on the counter.
Two bags of confetti sit on the shelf.

Peter Schwarz/Shutterstock.com

Vulture Vomit

A group of turkey vultures eating is/are called a wake. If you ever see a wake of turkey vultures, keep your distance! When these birds feels/feel threatened, they vomit. The smell is so gross that predators flee in disgust.

 

 

Stink Fights

What do you do when you have a disagreement with someone? Chances are, you talk it out. But if you were a lemur, you might have a stink fight! 

A lemur has scent glands on its body that emits/emit smelly fluids. When male lemurs have a dispute, they rub their tails on their scent glands. Then they wave their tails at each other—basically hurling stink—until one of them gives up/give up.

Joel Sartore/Photo Ark/NPL/Minden Pictures

Mucus Makers

When an opossum sees a predator approaching, it plays dead. To make the performance extra convincing, the opossum releases/release a glob of foul-smelling mucus from glands under its tail. The odor of the mucus tricks/trick the predator into thinking the opossum is dead and rotting, and the opossum lives to stink another day.

 

This article was originally published in the September 2023 issue.

Activities (3)
Skill-Building Activities
Answer Key (1)
Activities (3)
Skill-Building Activities
Answer Key (1)
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan

Close Reading, Critical Thinking, Skill Building

Download the Lesson Plan

Table of Contents

1. Prepare to Read

2. Read and Discuss

3. Write

1. PREPARE TO READ (5 MINUTES)

View a Slideshow 

  • If students are not familiar with basic sentence parts, project the Identifying Subjects and Verbs slideshow located in your Resources tab. This slideshow introduces basic sentence parts and contains a practice activity in which students identify them.

Set a Purpose for Reading 

  • Direct students’ attention to the directions and the hint box on page 2 or at the top of the digital story page. Read each aloud.

2. READ AND DISCUSS (10 MINUTES)

  • Have students read the three boxes of text independently or with a partner, circling the correct word in each bolded pair. Optionally, share the interactive version of this article with students, which contains drop-down menus.
  • Find an additional skill-reinforcement activity in your Resources tab: Subject-Verb Agreement: Anchor Chart and Practice Activity.

3. WRITE (30 MINUTES)

  • Have students practice using this grammar skill in context. Working in pairs, students should research and write a blurb about another animal with a stinky defense: skunks, millipedes, Tasmanian devils, stink bugs, wolverines, or musk oxen. The blurb should include two word pairs from which to select the correct answer. Students should also create an answer key. Have pairs exchange blurbs and complete each other’s activities.
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