If your child understands nouns and verbs in theory but still mixes them up on paper, this noun and verb sort gives them hands-on practice without a full worksheet page of writing. Just print, cut, and sort the word cards into the noun or verb column. It’s a nice fit for homeschool or classroom grammar lessons, and you can spread the cards out over a few short sessions for quick review.
This Noun and Verb Sorting Activity is a fun and different way to practice parts of speech. This cut and paste-style activity is a welcome change of pace from regular grammar worksheets.
We use this activity in our homeschool to reinforce correct identification of nouns and verbs. My son isn’t a fan of writing, so style of noun and verb sort worksheet is a great alternative for him.
Note: This post was originally published way back in February 2012. It remains one of the top 5 downloaded activities here at Mama’s Learning Corner. It has been updated several times throughout the years, so please download the newest version and enjoy all over again!
➡ Browse through all of the Parts of Speech worksheets and resources here at Mama’s Learning Corner! You’ll find a simple recitation to learn the parts of speech, more noun activities, verb worksheets, and more!
What’s Included in the Noun and Verb Sort
This Noun and Verb Sorting Activity is a very low-prep add-on to your grammar lessons. Go ahead and download and print so it will be ready to go when you need it!
At a Glance
Recommended ages: 2nd – 4th grades
Prep: Print + cut (or your child can cut)
Time: 10–15 minutes at a time (use over multiple days if you’d like)
Skills practiced: identifying nouns vs. verbs, vocabulary, sentence building (optional)
What you’ll need: scissors, glue (or place cards without gluing), pencil (optional)
Best part: hands-on grammar practice with very little writing
How to Use This Noun and Verb Sort
To use this activity after the pages are printed and the words are cut, simply have your child paste the word in the correct column: noun or verb.
When printing, you may want to print the sorting page 1–3 times, depending on how many word cards your child will use.
If you’re not gluing and are simply placing the cards on the page, one sorting sheet is plenty.
There are lots of words included, so don’t feel like your child needs to finish them all at once. We usually spread this activity out over several days and worked through a small stack at a time. Then we’d pull it back out again later for a quick review.
Before your child gets started, make sure you review the definitions of a noun and a verb, which I listed at the top of the sorting page.
Noun Definition
A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea.
Verb Definition
A verb is a word that shows action or being.
More Ways to Use This Noun and Verb Sort
There are many simple ways to use this noun and verb sort. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
– Use it as designed — simply sort the nouns into one column and the verbs into the other.
– Some of the words are trickier to spell (like trapeze or shriek), so this is a great chance to sneak in a little phonics or spelling practice, too. My older kids could read much better than they could spell, so consistent phonics instruction was always needed.
➡️ You can read more about How I Teach Spelling in Our Homeschool here. See the exact tried-and-true resources I have used for years with much success!
– Have your child use each word in a sentence. The sillier the sentences, the more fun it is (and the better they remember!).
– Choose 10–12 cards for the day’s copywork.
– Pair it with my free Parts of Speech Recitation for even more review.
– Teaching multiple ages? Let younger children do the cutting while older students sort and match the words.
Download the Noun and Verb Sort
If you’d like a copy of this noun and verb sort, you can get it two ways:
Option 1: Email subscriber download
Enter your email address below and I’ll send the printable straight to your inbox.
Option 2: All Access Pass (AAP) members
All Access Pass members can download this packet (and 400+ other printables) inside the AAP library. After you log in, go to the English Grammar and Composition page and scroll until you see Noun and Verb Sort —then click to download.
Friday, May 6, 2022 Bullet Point Post
This is great, thanks!
Thanks! This was just what I needed for todays lesson on noun/verb sorting!!! God Bless!
A lot of these words can be both noun and verb – is that supposed to be the point? (eg: face, run, dress, dance, block, scream…)
Claire – good question. I intentionally chose several words that could be both.
My son has completed these sheets several times over the course of the year as we review. When he comes across a word that can be used as both a noun and a verb, he sets it off to the side.
When he’s finished gluing, we usually have a small pile of those words that can be both. He and I alternate choosing one of the leftover words and then using that word in a sentence. He then glues it in the correct column based on the context of the sentence.
His favorite part, by far, is the end when we each call out sentences using the leftover words. It turns it into a game!
Thanks for asking! -Lauren
You are my new hero!!! Thanks.
I LOVE YOUR SITE!! THANKS SO MUCH!!
Sure thing, Lauren! Glad you are able to use some of the printables here at Mama’s. 🙂
Thank you!!
I’m glad you can use it, Brandi! Thanks for reading at Mama’s today! 🙂