Lesson 32: Birds & What They Do

WHEELER'S ELEMENTARY SPELLER GRADES 2–3 SYNTAX • SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT • NATURE POETRY STUDENT WORKSHEET

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SCORE:

Grammar & Mechanics Rules to Remember

Rule 1 • Sentence Mechanics
Each sentence must begin with a capital letter and end with a period: Wrens build.

Rule 2 • Plural Suffix (-s vs. -es)
Most nouns add -s (wrens, larks). Nouns ending in -sh add -es: thrush → thrushes.

Rule 3 • Silent Letters
Notice silent consonants: w is silent in wren (/rɛn/); t is silent in whistle (/ˈwɪs.əl/).

1 & 2 Birds • What They Do • Form Sentences: Match bird to action and write complete sentences:

Oral Practice: Read each bird and its action clearly with a partner.

1. Wrens build. (MODEL SENTENCE)

✓ Capital • ✓ Period

2. Larks

Capital Period .

3. Thrushes

Capital Period .

4. Robins

Capital Period .

5. Swans

Capital Period .

6. Quails

Capital Period .

7. Pigeons

Capital Period .

3 Poetry Study & Oral Recitation • James Whitcomb Riley: Read with expression and analyze:

“Hear the chirp of the robin, and the
Whistle of the quail
As he pipes across the meadows
Sweet as any nightingale.”

— James Whitcomb Riley

Poetry Analysis Questions:

1. First bird: Sound:

2. Second bird: Sound:

3. Third bird mentioned: Rhymes with:

Oral check: Recite this stanza from memory with clear, musical expression.