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Multicultural Academic Program: Interactive ESL Practice--Verb Tenses Exercise

Details

Activity Description

Eating Breakfast
Source: Chat GPT by Chat gpt (License: CC0/Public Domain)
 

Use the quizzes and exercises on this Web site for student practice of grammar and vocabulary. Use the example quiz "Right Now, Every Day, or Tomorrow?" when reviewing simple present v. present continuous vs. simple future.

Preparation

  1. Make sure that the Web site it not blocked at your school before using it with students.
  2. This activity includes instructions for using the "Right Now, Every Day, or Tomorrow?" exercise. If that does not meet your teaching objectives, then select another exercise that will fit and is appropriate for your students' level of English. (See More Ways below.)
  3. Do the exercise yourself in order to anticipate students' questions or difficulties.

How-To

See the lesson plan

Teacher Tips

  • This can be done individually by students in a lab or as an entire class activity using a projector.

More Ways

The Web site contains quizzes in the following categories:

  • Vocabulary (Occupations, Colors, Clothes, Human Body, Family, Car, Sports, Activities, Food, House, Numbers, Days, Dates)
  • Grammar (Nouns and Articles, Adjectives, Clauses, Prepositions, Simple Present, Present Progressive, Simple Past, Present Perfect, Future)

Program Areas

  • ESL: English as a Second Language

Levels

  • Beginning High

Lesson Plan

Warm-up
Engagement Enhancement

Display mixed pictures on the board: someone eating breakfast, a person sleeping, students studying, someone cooking, etc.
Students work in pairs to sort pictures into three categories written on the board:"EVERY DAY" (routine activities)
"RIGHT NOW" (happening at this moment)
"TOMORROW" (future plans)

Quick Share: Pairs share one picture from each category. There may be some discussion between the categories. This is ok. Teacher and/or students write sentences on the board. 

Introduction
Engagement


Ask: "What's different about these sentences?"
Elicit that the verbs change
Write on board: "Today we will learn about three types of actions:"Actions we do every day (routine)
Actions happening right now (current)
Actions we will do tomorrow (future)

Presentation
Engagement
  1. Project the website (https://spot.pcc.edu/map/prev/time.htm)
    Focus on examples 1-3: "She works/is working/will work"
    Students identify patterns:Every day = works (simple present)
    Right now = is working (present continuous)
    Tomorrow = will work (future)
  2. Write forms on board:Simple Present: Subject + base verb
    Present Continuous: Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing
    Future: Subject + will + base verb
  3. Timeline ActivityDraw timeline on board: PAST ←→ NOW ←→ FUTURE
    Place time expressions:"every day" (spans across, showing repetition)
    "right now" (at the NOW point)
    "tomorrow" (in future section)
    Guided ExamplesUse website examples 11-13 (baby sleeping)
    Students chorus repeat with gestures
    Check understanding with yes/no questions:"Is 'every day' about habits?" (Yes)
    "Is 'right now' happening at this moment?" (Yes)
    "Is 'tomorrow' in the future?" (Yes
Practice
Engagement Enhancement

Students complete sentences using website examples 4-10
Choose correct time expression for each sentence:"Will you be at home ___?" (tomorrow)
"Are you driving ___?" (right now)
"Do you drive to school ___?" (every day)
Pair Check (3 minutes)Partners compare answers
Practice reading sentences aloud with correct pronunciation

Practice

Groups of 3 students
Each student gets a character card (Maria the student, John the chef, Lisa the doctor)
Each group gets time expression cards (every day, right now, tomorrow)

Roleplay Students create sentences about their character using all three time expressions
Example for Maria: "I study every day. I am studying right now. I will study tomorrow."
Rotate time expression cards between group members
Teacher monitors and provides feedback

Evaluation
Engagement Enhancement Extension

Students complete 6 sentences using website examples 14-19 (weather)
Choose correct form: "It rains/is raining/will rain"
Match with correct time expression
)Students post answers on walls
Gallery walk  see if students can find errors.
Quick class review of common errors

Assessment Criteria:

Correct verb form selection (Simple Present/Present Continuous/Future)
Appropriate time expression matching
Proper sentence structure

Application
Engagement Enhancement Extension

Personal Planning (3 minutes)Students write 6 sentences about themselves:2 sentences with "every day" (habits/routines)
2 sentences with "right now" (current activities)
2 sentences with "tomorrow" (future plans)
Example: "I drink coffee every day. I am learning English right now. I will visit my friend tomorrow."
Pair Sharing (2 minutes)Students share their sentences with a partner
Partner asks one follow-up question
Prepare to share one interesting fact about their partner
Homework Assignment: Use the website at home to practice 5 more examples. Write 3 sentences about a family member using all three tenses and time expressions.

Documents

Standards

  • Reading Foundational Skills
    • RF.2 - Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes). (Phonological Awareness)
    • RF.3 - Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. (Phonics and Word Recognition)
    • RF.4 - Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. (Fluency)
  • Reading
    • CCR Anchor 1 - Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
  • Writing
    • CCR Anchor 1 - Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
    • CCR Anchor 4 - Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
  • Speaking and Listening
    • CCR Anchor 1 - Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
    • CCR Anchor 6 - Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and communicative tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.
  • Language
    • CCR Anchor 1 - Demonstrate command of the conventions of English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

Tags

grammar, Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing, Interactive ESL Practice, academic, activities, adjectives, articles, car, clauses, clothes, colors, dates, days, exercise, exercises, family, food, future, house, human body, interactive, multicultural, Multicultural Academic Program, nouns, numbers, occupations, parts of speech, Portland Community College, practice, prepositions, present perfect, present progressive, program, quiz, quizzes, simple past, simple present, sports, verb tenses, Verb Tenses Exercise, vocabulary

Creative Commons License

CC BY
CC BY: This license allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, so long as attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use.

AI Reference

Used Claude for lesson plan and Chat gpt, Claude and Gemini for pictures.
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OTAN activities are funded by contract CN240137 from the Adult Education Office, in the Career & College Transition Division, California Department of Education, with funds provided through Federal P.L., 105-220, Section 223. However, OTAN content does not necessarily reflect the position of that department or the U.S. Department of Education.