Activity 9: Verb is the Word (Tiggly Doctor)
Suggested Pacing
When introducing the concept of verbs
or reviewing verbs.
Group Size
Small Group, Teacher Led
About the Activity
Overview
In this activity students strengthen their understanding of verbs, reflect on their
meaning, and think about different usages of the verbs in their language.
Learning Journey
Learning: Verbs, definitions, and context
Thinking: Memory, comprehension, word communication
Creating: Expanding concepts, storytelling
Being Social: Collaborating and problem solving
What You’ll Need
• Tiggly Words
• A tablet with the Tiggly Doctor app
• Large cards each with a letter written
on them (you can select the letters
you are focusing on, or use all the
letters – fit to your curriculum)
Tiggly Lingo
Literacy Vocabulary: Sounds, Verbs, and Action Verbs
Thinking Vocabulary: Thinkers
Creativity Vocabulary: Creators
Being Social: Thinking buddy
Skills Needed
Letter recognition, sound recognition, and beginning writing skills
Getting Ready!
Please play and preview the Tiggly Doctor app in advance so you
are familiar with the words that are incorporated into game play.
Each child will need to have a tablet with Tiggly Doctor installed on
it and a set of Tiggly Words. If you do not have a 1-to-1 program, you
can have small groups of children around each tablet, and ask
each team member to hold one of the manipulatives, take turns,
and play together.
Make sure all students can hear the narrator in the app sounding
out the words and that each child has a chance to engage
physically with the app.
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List of Verbs
Let’s Be Stretchy!
check
flash
pump
spritz
pick
flick
rid
brush
scrub
buff
numb
dull
pluck
yank
press
pat
dab
blot
mop
chill
frost
suck
lift
suds
splash
drench
wet
inspect
polish
extract
compress
assess
lather
probe
shine
scope
scrape
take
wipe
dose
ice
Before students play and explore Tiggly Doctor, have a quick
overview for your students to introduce/remind them about the
concept of verbs.
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mend
bathe
twist
peek
fill
beam
dress
see
pop
screen
search stick
grasp
clean
hit
read
strap
feed
prick
soap
trim
look
tug
spray
knock
peer
crank
pull
chop
spoon
block
wash
examine truss
jab
open
snip
light
swab
view
wrench
survey
remove clip
cleanse fasten
detach affix
scrub
guage
sponge brace
take
give
strike
freeze
slice
rinse
shower tape
place
clamp
poke
tap
fuse
pin
close
spin
swathe
cut
secure
plug
pound
wrap
seal
set
shear
bang
hold
grip
ping & MORE!
For example: “Today we are learning about verbs! Who knows what
a verb is? It’s a special type of word. What makes it special is that
it’s a doing word that means an action. Can anyone give me an
example of a verb?”
Once the concept of verbs is introduced/reviewed have students
play Tiggly Doctor for 10 minutes. Make sure students are focused
on the two patients with ailments (not the boy with the long
tongue). These patients are the levels that introduce and explore
verbs.
While students are engaging with Tiggly Doctor, remind them that
they are learning verbs and that they should write down three verbs
that they really like.
Once tablet time is completed, call your “Thinkers” and “Scholars”
to come to the carpet.
Have each student state the verb they selected and provide a
definition of what it means. Have the class brainstorm about things
you can do with each verb. For example, with the verb “pop” you
can pop a balloon, pop a bubble, or pop-up (like jump).
More Stretchy Ideas!
Have your students go through their long list of verbs while you
record their choices onto the board. Have them come up with a
matching synonym for each verb.
Add to your Thinker Journal
Have students write their verbs in their Thinker Journals. Have each
student either draw a picture depicting the verbs or write a
sentence using each of the verbs that matches the definition that
they gave during their class presentation.
Engage Parents!
Have parents play a verb game with their child. Encourage parents
to say an action verb and have the child act out that verb. Have
parent and child take turns saying verbs and acting them out.
When they are done, have the child write down their three favorite
verbs to act out. Have the parent write down why the child found
them to be their favorite.