Give each student a list of various linking verbs such as "feel," "smell," "touch," and "breathe." Ask students to examine these verbs carefully. Provide them with a list of sentences that incorporate the linking verbs provided. These sentences might look like, "the feather feels soft." Have each student underline each linking verb before rewriting the sentences given to produce a descriptive paragraph. It doesn't have to make complete sense but it is good practice.
This activity requires you to build a deck of cards. Cut them out of cardboard or construction paper before writing a different sentence on each card. Underline the verb in each sentence, and on the other side of the card write whether it is a linking verb, a helping verb or an action verb. Make half the amount of copies as students in your class. Tell students to partner up. Taking turns, each student should read the sentence on the card and say what kind of verb it is. If correct, the student should keep the card. If incorrect it should be placed at the bottom of the pile. The student with most cards wins.
Singing songs can be an effective way to identify linking verbs and learn how to put them to good use. Sing a variety of well-known songs, such as "Jingle Bells," with your class. After each song has been recited, print out the lyrics and hand them out to your class. Have them identify and underline each verb in the song. Once this has been done, ask each student to separate apparent linking verbs from other verbs.
Provide your class with a description of something, using linking verbs. This could be a description of an animal, a place, a person or anything you see fit to describe. The description should be made up of a number of sentences. Examples would be: "Its nose is long; Its teeth appear long and sharp; It smells damp; Its fur feels smooth." Have the students underline the linking verb in each sentence before illustrating what is being described. For example, in this case with the sentences above, the subject is a dog.