Learning about am, is, and are is an important step in building strong sentences. These words are called helping verbs because they help tell us more about a person, animal, place, or thing.
For first graders, it is best to start with simple sentences before moving on to more advanced verb forms.
What Are Helping Verbs?
Helping verbs work with the subject of a sentence.
Here are the three helping verbs that Grade 1 students commonly learn:
- am
- is
- are
When Do We Use “Am”?
Use am with I.
Examples:
- I am happy.
- I am six years old.
- I am at school.
When Do We Use “Is”?
Use is with one person, animal, place, or thing.
Examples:
- She is my friend.
- He is tall.
- The cat is sleepy.
- The book is on the table.
When Do We Use “Are”?
Use are with more than one person, animal, place, or thing.
Examples:
- We are classmates.
- They are playing.
- The dogs are friendly.
- You are kind.
Easy Trick to Remember
| Subject | Helping Verb |
|---|---|
| I | am |
| He | is |
| She | is |
| It | is |
| You | are |
| We | are |
| They | are |
Practice Together
Choose the correct helping verb.
- I _____ happy.
- She _____ my teacher.
- We _____ friends.
- The dog _____ brown.
- They _____ at the park.
Answers:
- am
- is
- are
- is
- are
Common Mistakes
❌ I is happy.
✅ I am happy.
❌ They is playing.
✅ They are playing.
❌ We is in class.
✅ We are in class.
Why Learning Helping Verbs Matters
Helping verbs help children:
- Build complete sentences
- Improve writing skills
- Speak more clearly
- Prepare for future grammar lessons
A strong understanding of am, is, and are makes it easier for students to write and read with confidence.
Free Grade 1 Am, Is, and Are Worksheet
Use the printable worksheet below for extra practice. Students can:
- Circle the correct helping verb
- Fill in the blanks
- Correct simple sentences
- Write their own examples
This worksheet is designed for first-grade learners and can be used at home or in the classroom.
Download the free worksheet here.
Related Grammar Worksheets
- am, is, are + ing Worksheets for Grade 1 with Answers
- Nouns for Grade 1 — Fun Noun Worksheets + Free Printable PDF
- Verb Worksheets for Grade 1 – Free Printable Verb Worksheets with Answers
- Fix the Sentence Worksheets for Grade 1
- Fun Picture Comprehension Worksheets for Kids (Grades 1–3)
- I and You Pronouns for Grade 1 (Fun Worksheets & Activities)
FAQ
Are am, is, and are helping verbs?
Yes. They are helping verbs that help complete a sentence and show what the subject is or does.
What grade learns am, is, and are?
Many students are introduced to these helping verbs in Grade 1 and continue practicing them in Grade 2.
How can I help my child learn am, is, and are?
Practice with short sentences, read simple books together, and use worksheets that focus on choosing the correct helping verb.
What is the difference between is and are?
Use is for one person, animal, place, or thing. Use are for more than one.
Learning am, is, are words helps children understand actions and build clear, meaningful sentences. With simple practice and fun activities, Grade 1 kids can confidently identify action words and use them correctly in their everyday speaking and writing.
If you found this worksheet helpful, feel free to save it, print it, or share it with other parents and teachers
Happy learning!
If you’re looking for more learning worksheets for early elementary children, you can explore our growing collection of skill-based practice resources designed for ages 5–8. From language and reading skills to simple grammar concepts like parts of speech, these worksheets are created to support gentle, stress-free learning at home.
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