Present Tense Lesson Plan

 Present Tense Lesson Plan

Target Grade Level: 3-5

Learning Objectives:

• Students will be able to define the present tense.
• Students will be able to identify the different types of present tense verbs.
• Students will be able to use the present tense correctly in their writing and speaking.

Materials:

• Whiteboard or projector
• Markers or pens
• Paper
• Pictures of people doing different activities (e.g., a person eating, a person playing soccer, a person reading)
• Video lessons (see links below)

Procedure:

1. Introduction:

   • Begin by asking students what they mean when they say "present tense." Write their answers on the board.
   • Explain that the present tense is used to talk about things that are happening now, things that happen regularly, or things that are always true.

2. Types of Present Tense Verbs:

   • There are three main types of present tense verbs: simple present, present progressive, and present perfect.
   • Simple present: The simple present is used to talk about things that happen regularly, things that are always true, or things that are happening now. For example:
     • I eat breakfast every morning.
     • The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
     • My dog is barking at the squirrel.
   • Present progressive: The present progressive is used to talk about actions that are happening now or that are continuing over a period of time. For example:
     • I am eating breakfast.
     • The sun is rising in the east.
     • My dog is barking at the squirrel.
   • Present perfect: The present perfect is used to talk about actions that have happened at an unspecified time in the past or that have started in the past and are still continuing. For example:
     • I have eaten breakfast.
     • The sun has risen in the east.
     • My dog has been barking at the squirrel all morning.

3. Activity:

   • Divide students into small groups. Give each group a set of pictures of people doing different activities.
   • Have students identify the present tense verb in each picture. Then, have them write a sentence using the verb in the simple present, present progressive, and present perfect tenses.
   • Once students have finished, have them share their sentences with the class.

4. Video Lessons:

   • Show students the following video lessons on the present tense:
     • Simple Present Tense: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/grammar/parts-of-speech-the-verb/the-tenses/v/present-tense-verbs-the-parts-of-speech
     • Present Progressive Tense: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/grammar/parts-of-speech-the-verb/verb-aspect-simple-progressive-and-perfect/v/progressive-aspect

5. Assessment:

   • Give students the following 10-question test on the present tense:

     Test:

     1. What is the present tense?
     2. What are the three main types of present tense verbs?
     3. Give an example of a simple present tense verb.
     4. Give an example of a present progressive tense verb.
     5. Give an example of a present perfect tense verb.
     6. Use the verb "eat" in a simple present tense sentence.
     7. Use the verb "eat" in a present progressive tense sentence.
     8. Use the verb "eat" in a present perfect tense sentence.
     9. Use the verb "run" in a simple present tense sentence.
     10. Use the verb "run" in a present progressive tense sentence.

     Answers:

     1. The present tense is used to talk about things that are happening now, things that happen regularly, or things that are always true.
     2. The three main types of present tense verbs are simple present, present progressive, and present perfect.
     3. An example of a simple present tense verb is "eat."
     4. An example of a present progressive tense verb is "eating."
     5. An example of a present perfect tense verb is "have eaten."
     6. I eat breakfast every morning.
     7. I am eating breakfast.
     8. I have eaten breakfast.
     9. My dog runs in the park every day.
     10. My dog is running in the park.

Extension Activities:

• Have students write a short story or poem using only present tense verbs.
• Have students create a presentation on the different types of present tense verbs.

• More on the Present Tense

  The present tense is one of the most important tenses in English. It is used to talk about things that are happening now, things that happen regularly, or things that are always true.

  Here are some more examples of present tense verbs:

• Simple present:
  • I sing.
  • You work.
  • He plays.
  • She cooks.
  • We study.
  • They travel.
• Present progressive:
  • I am singing.
  • You are working.
  • He is playing.
  • She is cooking.
  • We are studying.
  • They are traveling.
• Present perfect:
  • I have sung.
  • You have worked.
  • He has played.
  • She has cooked.
  • We have studied.
  • They have traveled.

The present tense can also be used to talk about future events that are scheduled or planned. For example:

• My train leaves at 10:00 tomorrow morning.
• I have a doctor's appointment next week.
• We are going to the beach on Saturday.

The present tense can also be used to talk about general truths. For example:

• Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
• The Earth revolves around the Sun.
• All humans are mortal.

Here are some tips for using the present tense correctly:

• Use the simple present tense to talk about things that happen regularly or that are always true.
• Use the present progressive tense to talk about actions that are happening now or that are continuing over a period of time.
• Use the present perfect tense to talk about actions that have happened at an unspecified time in the past or that have started in the past and are still continuing.

If you are unsure which present tense verb to use, it is always safe to use the simple present tense.

Here are some more examples of the present tense in use:

• Simple present:
  • The birds are singing.
  • The sun is shining.
  • The wind is blowing.
  • I love to eat pizza.
  • He goes to school every day.
• Present progressive:
  • I am reading a book.
  • She is cooking dinner.
  • We are watching a movie.
  • They are playing outside.
  • The dog is barking.
• Present perfect:
  • I have eaten all of my food.
  • She has finished her homework.
  • We have lived in this house for 10 years.
  • They have visited every country in Europe.
  • The teacher has given us a lot of homework.
  •