Resources
L.2.1b
K-12 Reader
The following resources are for teachers. The sites define “irregular plural nouns” and
provide word banks of examples.
While most nouns are easily made plural with a few simple changes, such as adding
an “s” or “es” to the end of the word, there is one group of nouns that doesn’t seem
to follow the rules. They’re called irregular nouns and you guessed it…they don’t
become plural the “regular” way.
An irregular plural noun is an irregular noun in the plural form. An irregular noun is
a noun that becomes plural by changing its spelling in other ways than adding an “s”
or “es” to the end of the word. This change can happen in a variety of ways. Below
you’ll find examples and guidelines to help you.
Some irregular nouns take on the plural form by first changing the last letter of the
word before adding “s.” Words that end in “f” are a good example of this case. To
make such a word plural, you change the “f” to “ve” and add an “s.”
Plural nouns that end in ves:
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More than one elf = elves
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More than one calf = calves
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More than one knife = knives
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More than one loaf = loaves
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More than one shelf = shelves
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More than one wolf = wolves
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More than one loaf = loaves
Irregular nouns made plural by changing vowels, changing the word, or adding a
different ending:
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More than one man = men
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More than one person = people
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More than one mouse = mice
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More than one child = children
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More than one foot = feet
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More than one goose = geese
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More than one tooth = teeth
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More than one louse = lice
Resources
L.2.1b
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More than one cactus = cacti
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More than one appendix = appendices
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More than one ox =oxen
Some irregular plural nouns have the same spelling as their singular form such as
scissors, pants, bison, deer, and sheep. And then some animal nouns become plural
by keeping the same spelling as the singular form or by adding an s or es.

More than one cod = cod or cods
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More than one shrimp = shrimp or shrimps

More than one fish = fish or fishes
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More than one quail = quail or quails
Like most things, learning the rules for irregular plural nouns takes practice. Once
you put these guidelines to work for you, you’ll find it much easier than you thought.
http://www.k12reader.com/term/irregular-plural-nouns/
Also see Irregular Plural Nouns _ 2nd and 3rd Grade; Use “worksheets” cautiously.
You might use the worksheet as a model, in a collaborative group where students
only have one worksheet and have to discuss the answers, or you might display the
worksheet on the board and use 1-2 questions as an exit ticket or journal response
where they answer the question and explain/justify their answers.
Nancy Fetzer Sentence Builder
Have students brainstorm irregular plural nouns and use that list to create sentences
using the Nancy Fetzer Sentence Builder.
http://www.commoncorestandardswriting.com/nancy-fetzers-grades-2-3-writingcurriculum-online-training/
 Nancy Fetzer Sentence Builder Template and Instructional Information:
The Sentence Builder chart is used to demonstrate many strategies and skills
for sophisticated sentence writing. This tool may be used to build elaborate,
well-developed topic sentences/thesis statements, story openings, and
powerful sentences with transitions.
 Nancy Fetzer Sentence Builder Cards: The sentence pattern Blueprints are
color-coded cards used to form three different types of sentence structures.
These cards include adjectives, nouns, and verbs for the parts of speech, and
why, how, where, and when questions to add modifiers to the sentences.
Once a sentence is constructed using the cards, students then move the
modifiers (where, when, how, and why cards) as a technique to revise and
vary a sentence.
Anchor Charts & Student Lists
Resources
L.2.1b
Teachers create an “Irregular Plural Noun” anchor chart with their students.
Students create “Irregular Plural Noun” lists in their journals. Students can then add
words to the chart or their own “Irregular Plural Noun” lists in their journals. The
words can be collected from books they are reading, word walls, and other print
throughout the room, etc.
Irregular Plural Nouns Double Trouble
Students will rewrite the sentences so that the nouns are plural. Use “worksheets”
cautiously. You might use the worksheet as a model, in a collaborative group where
students only have one worksheet and have to discuss the answers, or you might
display the worksheet on the board and use 1-2 questions as an exit ticket or journal
response where they answer the question and explain/justify their answers.
Nancy Fetzer Narrative Writing Strategies:
Teachers may use their Fetzer manual or the online link as a resource for planning
the writing process. The link contains demonstration videos and blackline masters.
Click on the link and scroll to the Narrative Section.
http://www.commoncorestandardswriting.com/nancy-fetzers-grades-2-3-writingcurriculum-online-training/
Nancy Fetzer Training Modules are also available on LCPS Blackboard
CCSS Appendix C 2nd Grade Writing Sample and Annotation: This page and link
will provide an exemplar of grade level narrative writing (page 17), including an
explanation (annotation). An exemplar of opinion writing is on page 15.
http://www.corestandards.org/assets/Appendix_C.pdf
Florida Center for Reading Research (fcrr):
Sentence Meaning: Build a Sentence
Teachers can create their own cards with “irregular plural nouns” and utilize the
following activity for instruction and practice.
http://www.fcrr.org/studentactivities/c_005a.pdf
Resources
L.2.1b
Jan Richardson: Next Step in Guided Reading (Guided Writing Resources)
Provide students with opportunities to write sentences using “irregular plural nouns”
during guided writing.
Reading Street Resources: Look for activities and information specific to “collective
nouns”.
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Day 2: Vocabulary Activities (from digital path)
Day 3: Grammar Jammers (from digital path)