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Teacher’S Guide Verb Tenses
Introducing Tenses of Verbs
Verb Tenses This is a rather lengthy lesson because it takes repetition and practice
for the students to master the forms and tenses of verbs. But don’t worry, we’ve
added plenty of reinforcements for you.
As you know, the English language has six major tenses of the verb (present, past,
future, present perfect, past perfect, future perfect) and six additional tenses (all the
aforementioned tenses in the progressive form). The best way to introduce these
tenses is gradually. First, we’ll discuss the infinitive form of the verb (to read, to
see), which is the present tense preceded by to.
We’ll then introduce regular and irregular forms of the verb and place them in their
simple conjugation forms (chart). Then we’ll add progressive (ing).
Once the students are comfortable with those concepts, we’ll discuss the past
participle form (chart similar to simple tenses) from which all perfect tenses are
formed.
Finally, we’ll practice conjugating the perfect tenses and then using them in writing.
We will not go into more detail than necessary so as not to overwhelm. Our purpose
is to engage and then teach! Included forms – participle and progressive, tenses
simple and perfect.
Materials: Introduction for teachers, Introduction for students, 40 Simple and
Perfect flashcards, (4) tense of the verb charts, Simple and perfect charts with
answer sheets, (1) principal parts chart, 6 tic tac toe games (6 verb tenses), 2 Lists
of charades verbs, Verbo game, Grammar football game,
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volume 2: Verbs
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Teacher’S Guide Verb Tenses
Introducing Tenses of Verbs Cont.
Objectives:
Level One: Students will identify regular verbs simple tenses
Level One-2: Students will identify Irregular verb simple tense
Level One-3: Students will choose the correct form both Irregular/regular
Level Two: Students will identify progressive form of the verb
Level Two-2: Students will create progressive from infinitive
Level Two-3: Students will identify mix of simple and progressive
Level Three: Students will identify the perfect tenses
Level Three-2: Students will choose the correct form of the participle...had (ate, eaten)
Level Three-3: Students will identify three tenses. (simple, perfect, progressive)
a. again all 3 tenses
b. all three tenses
c. write with verb tenses
Al lessons include three (3 levels) worksheets for reinforcement- all with
answer keys. Tic-tac-toe charts for overhead (6) (whole class play) and dry
erase (pair or seat play).
Introducing Level One-simple tenses (regular and irregular)
1. Begin your lesson by projecting the simple tense chart of regular verbs. Have the
class together fill in the rest of the chart. Next project the simple tense chart with
irregular verbs. Again, have students volunteer to fill in the missing tenses.
2. At this point you’re ready to begin Level One-1 through Level One-3. You can
reinforce by playing tic-tac-toe after each worksheet and then charades after each level.
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volume 2: Verbs
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Introducing Level two- progressive
1. Explain to your students that when something is in progress, it is on-going. All ongoing actions end in “ing.”
2. This concept is an easy one for students to grasp, so you can utilize the time not only
to teach progressive, but to practice the simple tenses more too.
You can proceed with Level two through Level two-3. Again use the tic-tac-toe sheets
for further engagement. And another game of charades would be a good idea.
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Teacher’S Guide Verb Tenses
Introducing Tenses of Verbs, Cont.
Introducing Level Three- Perfect Tenses
Show students examples of the principal parts of the verb— present (infinitive),
past, past participle (-ed verbs). Explain to them that the only difference between
forms and tenses is that we use the form to create the “time” tense of the action.
With both regular and irregular verbs, go over the chart with your students and be
sure to offer them a printed copy for them to keep in their binders.
Principal Parts of Regular Verbs
Infinitive
Past (+ed)
to paint
painted
to form
formed
to play
played Past Participle (helping verb+ed)
painted
formed
played
Irregular Verbs- with irregular verbs, the past changes forms. A good way for
students to figure the verb’s past tense form is to have the student say to him/
herself: “Yesterday, I _________.”
For the past participle, if you pretend there is an “I have” in front of the verb, that
creates its form.
Principal Parts of Irregular Verbs
Infinitive
Past (form changes)
to run
(Yesterday, I...)ran
to drinK
(Yesterday, I...)drank
to swim
(Yesterday, I...)swam
Past Participle (I have + verb)
(I have+)run
(I have+)drunk
(I have+)swum
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Use the chart provided (filled in) to show the correct forms of the verb. You could
cover part of it to see if students can guess the correct past and past participle
forms. Then hand out the chart for students to keep in their binders.
volume 2: Verbs
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For students who are not used to “hearing” the correct form of the verb, we have
included a chart for past and past participial forms of the verb. This is essential
knowledge because without knowing the past participial form of the verb, you
cannot create the perfect tenses of the verb.
Next explain that in order to form the perfect tense of the verb, you simply use the
past participial form of the verb as your model. The only part that changes is the
helping (auxiliary) verb.
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Teacher’S Guide Verb Tenses
Introducing Tenses of Verbs Cont.
Continuing with Level Three- Perfect Tenses
Project the chart with the familiar simple tenses and past participle filled in and
three additional columns blank. Inform your students that you’re beginning the
study of the perfect tenses of verbs. All perfect tenses (like the past participle)
require helping verbs and that the helping verb is the only way to determine which
tense is being used. They all take on the form of the past participle (which is why
it’s included in the tense chart)
Explain to students when the perfect tenses are used:
Present Perfect Tense: Shows that an action began in the past but continues on
into the present or is completed (or perfected) in the present. It is formed by using
have or has with the main verb.
Example:
Mary plays the piano every day (Simple Present)
Mary has played the piano every day since she was five years old. (Present Perfect)
Past Perfect Tense: Shows that an action was completed before another action in
the past had been completed (perfected) before a specified time in the past. It is
formed by using had with the main verb.
Example:
The class ran late yesterday. (Simple Past)
The class had run late until too many students complained about it. (Past Perfect)
Future Perfect Tense: Shows that an action will be completed (perfected) in the
future before another action in the future or before a specified time in the future.
It is formed by using shall or will have + the main verb.
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Example:
volume 2: Verbs
John decided that he will build a xylophone for his science project. (Simple Future)
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By tomorrow he will have built the first half of his science project. (Future Perfect)
Once you’ve clearly explained the formation of the perfect tense, you are ready to
begin with Level Three.
Reinforcement: Each day be sure to include a flashcard review of the tenses
of the verbs. After each section try a reinforcing game of tic-tac-toe, Verbo, or
charades.
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