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Module 3: Tense

Class 1: Simple Past Tense

Objectives:

How

do :
  • :::

    :sentences?

    What

    materials

    :

    FieldDetails
    Date 
    Date of class 
    Lesson PlanTense
    Name of the facilitator 
    Total number of classes5
    Lesson NameSimple Past tense
    ObjectivesHelp students to understand the simple past tense.
    I go about it?

    • Starter (10 mins)

    Matching the facilitator’facilitator's tone:

    tone.
    • The facilitator will bring certain thingsitems and ask the students to describe about the things.
    • The things could be:(e.g., an orange, a red book, a pouch, a pink pen, a paper lamp, a phone.
    • phone)
    and

    Studentsask havestudents to describe them. Students will answer some questions by matching the different voicesvoice modulationmodulations used by the facilitator.

    Discussion (30 mins)

    • The Facilitatorfacilitator can start to havea conversation with the childrenchildren, andasking ask how wasabout their day, what did they dodid yesterday, what did they eat?ate, etc.
    • NowFrom this discussion, the facilitator can explain what is past tense withis: this discussion. ‘"We talk about something that happened before or already that has happened’.happened." TheWords wordscommonly that come while forming sentencesused in past tense aresentences include "was," "had," "has," and adding "-eded" to verbsverbs. etc.
    • Then theThe facilitator can startthen withtell a simple 5-6 line story about what happened yesterday.yesterday, Theand students can continue the story onesentence by onesentence. sentences by adding on to the story. OnceAfter the story is completed and repeated, the facilitator will repeat the story once or twice. Story can be just 5-6 lines.
    • The facilitator can then ask questions to children from the storystory, and will giveproviding three options for the children to choose the correct answer.
    • For Example:

      • Choose the correct past tense

        tense:

        "What happened last night?"

        • a. It rained last night

        • b. My uncle came home last night

        • c. I watched a movie last night

  • Activity (10 mins)

  • The

    Facilitatorfacilitator can say a few sentences in past tense and ask the students to choose the words that showindicate the sentence is in past tense.

    • For example: 

      • "I was sleeping."

      • Ans: was

    Note for teachers:

    Plenary (5 mins)

    • What are the words that show as past tense?

    • What is past tense?

    Question for takeaway reflection (5 mins)

    Imagine you had a class yesterday. Could you explain what happened in the class in a few sentences.
    do I need?

    Resources:

    Possible challenges

    and solutions:

    • Low number of students,students: Poor connection

    SolutionThe facilitator can choose not to make groupgroups and do activityactivities on an individual basis.

  • Poor connection: In case of poor video connection, the facilitator can choose to type the concerned words or sentences in the chat box oror, if possible, share the screen.

  • Reflection (filled after class)

    • What went well,well?

    • What did not go well,well?

    • What do I need to improve for the next class?

     

    Class

    Class-2: Simple Present Tense

    Objectives:

    tense.

    How

    do :"

  • ::teachers::

    :

    What

    materials

    :

    FieldDetails
    Date 
    Date of class 
    Lesson PlanTense
    Name of the facilitator 
    Total number of classes5
    Lesson NameSimple Present tense
    ObjectivesHelp children understand simple present tense
    I go about it?

    • Starter (10 mins)

    Children will be asked to take three deep breaths. Once done, keepingWith their eyes closedclosed, they will be asked to imagine that they arebeing in a forest and surrounded withby animals.animals They will be asked toand describe their imagination in one sentence. The facilitator will sayprovide onean example like-like, "The lion is sleeping.

    Discussion (35 mins)

    The facilitator will start the class with a recap of the simple past taught.

    tense.

    Then,

    Thethe facilitator will then start the topicintroduce simple present tense by explaining whatthat isit's simple present. ‘When"when we talk about something that is happening now or keeps happening’.happening." The facilitator will then ask students questions and askencourage the studentsthem to try give anand answer for better understanding.

    • For Example,Example:

      • a. What is your name?

      • b. Where are you staying now?

      • c. What is your favouritefavorite hobby?

      • d. How old are you?

    • Then the facilitator can start a quiz one on one basis. The facilitator can saythen conduct a one-on-one sentence,quiz, saying a sentence (either in past tenseor present tense) and or in present tense. Now ask the childasking two questions: which"Which tense is it?" Andand which"Which word shows it is in (past or present)?"

    • For example:

      • Facilitator: "I was eatingeating"

      • Which tense? 

      • Student: past

      • Facilitator: which"Which word shows it is past tense?"

      • Student: was.

  • Activity (10 mins)

  • Simple present charadescharades. FacilitatorThe facilitator acts out verbs for the students.students, Thewho studentsthen guess the action and answer in a full sentence.

    • For example:

      • Facilitator acts out as sleeping. Students should be able to say "I am sleeping or you are sleeping”.sleeping."

    Note for teachers

    If children ask-ask Theabout the difference between simple present, present perfectperfect, and present continuouscontinuous:

    Simple PresentPresent ContinuousPresent Perfect
    General truths, Facts, and Timeless InformationActions that are currently happening at the time of speakingConnects past events to the present moment
    Permanent Situations, Habits, and RoutinesActions in progress/Temporary or Unfinished EventsIndicates a past action with an impact on the present
    Repeated or Regular OccurrenceChanging or Evolving SituationsSomething that started in the past and continues in present

    Plenary (3 mins)

    • Explain present tense?

    • What is the difference between past and present tense?

    Question for takeaway reflection (2 mins)

    Could you have a conversation with your friends about your daily routine.routine? Maximum 6 sentences.
    do I need?

    Resources:

    Possible challenges

    and solutions:

    • Low number of students,students: Poor connection

    SolutionThe facilitator can choose not to make groupgroups and do activityactivities on an individual basis.

  • Poor connection: In case of poor video connection, the facilitator can choose to type the concerned words or sentences in the chat box oror, if possible, share the screen.

  • Reflection (filled after class)

    • What went well,well?

    • What did not go well,well?

    • What do I need to improve for the next class?

     

    Class-3: Simple Future Tense

    Objectives: To help children understand future tense.

    How do I go about it?

    • Starter (5 mins): Students have to do the opposite action of what the facilitator is saying. For example, when she says "sit," they have to stand; when she says "stand," they have to sit.

    • Discussion (40 mins): The facilitator will start the topic of future tense by explaining what future tense is.

        1. What will you eat today?

        1. What day is tomorrow?

        1. What class do you have tomorrow?

        1. What will you do after English class?

      • Now, a small presentation by everyone. Students will come forward and talk about what they want to become in the future, answering three questions:

        • a. What is your name?

        • b. What do you want to become in future?

        • c. How can you help society with your goal?

      • The facilitator can now tell a story of 7-8 sentences. Students are to identify which sentences in the story are past, present, or future, and what words indicate the tense.

    • Activity (10 mins): The facilitator can say the first part of a sentence, and children will be asked to add on the second part.

      • For example:

        • Facilitator: "I will have....."

        • Student: "...dosa for breakfast tomorrow."

      • The facilitator can start a quiz where he/she says a sentence and asks students if it is past, present, or future.

          1. It is English class now - present or past or future?

          1. I had dinner yesterday - present or past or future?

          1. I will dance tomorrow - present or past or future?

    Note for teachers:

    Plenary (3 mins):

    • What is future tense?

    • What is present tense?

    • What is past tense?

    • What is the difference between past, present, and future?

    Question for takeaway reflection (2 mins):

    • Facilitator can make a document of some pictures that have verbs in present tense. They can send this to students, and students have to describe the actions in future tense.

    What materials do I need?

    Resources:

    • Document of pictures from Google.

    Possible challenges and solutions:

    • Low number of students: The facilitator can choose not to make groups and do activities on an individual basis.

    • Poor connection: In case of poor video connection, the facilitator can choose to type the concerned words or sentences in the chat box or, if possible, share the screen.

    Reflection (filled after class):

    • What went well?

    • What did not go well?

    • What do I need to improve for the next class?

     

    Class-4: Present Perfect Tense

     

    Objectives: Helping children understand present perfect tense.

    How do I go about it?

    • Starter (5 mins): Chain story. The teacher can start with a sentence by saying, "I saw a frog yesterday with an apple." Ask the students if they could add on to the story with fantastical elements in it.

    • Discussion (35 mins):

      • Facilitator explains what present perfect tense is: "Past event that has present consequences." In simple words, "something that started in the past and still continues in the present."

      • "Have," "have been," "has been," "has" are the words used in forming sentences with present perfect tense.

      • For example:

        • Raj has just gone out to the market.

        • I have art classes every Friday.

        • We have gone for a walk.

        • Toby has eaten all the cookies.

        • My mother has cut her finger.

        • I have done all my homework.

        • I have been in Pune for one week.

      • Now, the facilitator can ask a few questions to the children for better understanding and do a match the following activity:

        • Have they gone for class?

        • It has been raining since yesterday.

        • I have made rice.

        • Has it rained?

        • They went for the class an hour ago.

        • Why haven't you finished the work?

        • What have you made for dinner?

        • I have been ill.

      • Facilitator can now ask students if they could make questions using present perfect tense.

    • Activity (10 mins): Facilitator can ask everyone to pay attention to the facilitator's screen. The facilitator can then place a few things on his/her table, ask students to just take a look, and ask if things are visible. Now, the facilitator can ask students to close their eyes. Once they do, the facilitator can move an object from the table to somewhere else or hide it. Now, ask the students to open their eyes and ask what change had happened. The answer they would be saying is in present perfect tense. The facilitator can continue the game a few more times.

    Note for teachers:

    • The game can become little confusing, but a few practices can help for better clarity.

    • If children ask about the difference between simple present, present perfect, and present continuous:

    Simple PresentPresent ContinuousPresent Perfect
    General truths, Facts, and Timeless InformationActions that are currently happening at the time of speakingConnects past events to the present moment
    Permanent Situations, Habits, and RoutinesActions in progress/Temporary or Unfinished EventsIndicates a past action with an impact on the present
    Repeated or Regular OccurrenceChanging or Evolving SituationsSomething that started in the past and continues in present

    Plenary (2 mins):

    • What are the words that indicate present perfect tense?

    Question for takeaway reflection (5 mins):

    • Fill in the blanks: Choose "have" or "has" in the following sentences:

        1. She _____ a class tomorrow. (have/has)

        1. They _____ cooking for three hours. (have been/has been)

        1. He _____ waiting for you. (have been/has been)

        1. _____ to run to the market to get the medicine. (has/have)

    What materials do I need?

    Resources: 

    Possible challenges and solutions:

    • Low number of students: The facilitator can choose not to make groups and do activities on an individual basis.

    • Poor connection: In case of poor video connection, the facilitator can choose to type the concerned words or sentences in the chat box or, if possible, share the screen.

    Reflection (filled after class):

    • What went well?

    • What did not go well?

    • What do I need to improve for the next class?

     

    Class-5: Present Continuous Tense

    Objectives: Help children understand present continuous tense.

    How do I go about it?

    • Starter: Breathing exercise with stretching. Facilitator can ask all students to sit straight in their places. They can take three long breaths and then do some light stretching with neck, hands, fingers, etc. Facilitator can also ask if the students can stand up for 2-3 minutes and stretch their body, legs, etc.

    • Discussion: Facilitator explains in simple words what Present continuous tense is: "Something that is happening now." When explaining or having a conversation about what is happening right now, we use words like "verb + -ing," "are," "is."

      • For example:

        • Children are going to school.

        • The boys are playing in the park.

        • The baby is crying out loud.

        • It is raining now.

        • I am cooking rice for lunch.

        • Miss Aliya is teaching the English class.

      • Could you try answering some questions in continuous tense and fill in the blanks?

        • For example:

          • When are we going to class? We are _____ now. (going/go)

          • When is she coming? She _____ in 5 minutes. (is/was) (come/coming)

          • Can he cook dosa now? He _____ making dosa now. (is/was)

          • Are we going? Yes, we _____ in a while. (were/are) (going/go)

    Activity: Can everyone speak in 3-4 sentences and explain what is happening with you now? The facilitator can start.

    • For example:

      • I am breathing.

      • I am sitting on a chair.

      • I am teaching in English.

      • I am talking to students.

    Note for teachers:

    • If children ask about the difference between simple present, present perfect, and present continuous:

    Simple PresentPresent ContinuousPresent Perfect
    General truths. Facts, and Timeless InformationActions that are currently happening at the time of speakingConnects past events to the present moment
    Permanent Situations. Habits, and RoutinesActions in progress/Temporary or Unfinished EventsIndicates a past action with an impact on the present
    Repeated or Regular OccurrenceChanging or Evolving SituationsSomething that started in the past and continues in present

    Plenary:

    • What are the words used in present continuous tense?

    • What is the difference between present perfect and present continuous tense?

    • What is the difference between simple present, present perfect, present continuous?

    Question for takeaway reflection:

    • Can you make a group of 3? Now discuss with each other by making sentences in present continuous sentences. Help each other if they need your support to make the sentences.

    What materials do I need?

    Resources:

    Possible challenges and solutions:

    • Low number of students: The facilitator can choose not to make groups and do activities on an individual basis.

    • Poor connection: In case of poor video connection, the facilitator can choose to type the concerned words or sentences in the chat box or, if possible, share the screen.

    Reflection (filled after class):

    • What went well?

    • What did not go well?

    • What do I need to improve for the next class?