Verbs in the Present TenseActivities & Teaching Strategies
Children learn best when verbs are connected to movement and visuals they can touch or see. For present tense verbs, action games and pictures make grammar feel like play, not a rule. This approach builds confidence because they can see and do what they are learning immediately.
Learning Objectives
- 1Identify the present tense verb in simple sentences describing actions.
- 2Classify given words as verbs or non-verbs based on their action-describing quality.
- 3Demonstrate the action described by a present tense verb when prompted.
- 4Construct simple sentences using appropriate present tense verbs to describe observed actions.
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Action Mime Game
Children take turns miming present tense actions like jumping or clapping. Others guess the verb and use it in a sentence. This builds observation and quick thinking.
Prepare & details
What is the bird doing in this picture?
Facilitation Tip: During the Action Mime Game, model each action clearly with exaggerated movements so children can copy and remember the verbs accurately.
Setup: Standard classroom — rearrange desks into clusters of 6–8; adaptable to rooms with fixed benches using in-seat group structures
Materials: Printed A4 role cards (one per student), Scenario brief sheet for each group, Decision tracking or event log worksheet, Visible countdown timer, Blackboard or chart paper for recording simulation events
Picture Verb Hunt
Show pictures of daily scenes. Children point to actions and name the verbs in present tense. Discuss as a group to confirm.
Prepare & details
Can you say what you are doing right now?
Facilitation Tip: In the Picture Verb Hunt, pair students so they can discuss the verb before writing it, helping shy children feel supported.
Setup: Standard classroom — rearrange desks into clusters of 6–8; adaptable to rooms with fixed benches using in-seat group structures
Materials: Printed A4 role cards (one per student), Scenario brief sheet for each group, Decision tracking or event log worksheet, Visible countdown timer, Blackboard or chart paper for recording simulation events
My Day Verbs
Each child says three things they are doing or did today using present verbs. Share with partner and draw one.
Prepare & details
What action is happening in this story?
Facilitation Tip: For the Verb Sentence Chain, write the first sentence on the board yourself so children see the correct structure before they take turns adding to it.
Setup: Standard classroom — rearrange desks into clusters of 6–8; adaptable to rooms with fixed benches using in-seat group structures
Materials: Printed A4 role cards (one per student), Scenario brief sheet for each group, Decision tracking or event log worksheet, Visible countdown timer, Blackboard or chart paper for recording simulation events
Verb Sentence Chain
Start with 'I run'. Next child adds a verb like 'and jump'. Continue around the circle to form a long sentence.
Prepare & details
What is the bird doing in this picture?
Setup: Standard classroom — rearrange desks into clusters of 6–8; adaptable to rooms with fixed benches using in-seat group structures
Materials: Printed A4 role cards (one per student), Scenario brief sheet for each group, Decision tracking or event log worksheet, Visible countdown timer, Blackboard or chart paper for recording simulation events
Teaching This Topic
Start with verbs that children already use in their daily talk, like 'run', 'eat', or 'sleep'. Avoid overwhelming them with rules first. Instead, let them discover the pattern through repetition and play. Research shows that children learn grammar best when it is embedded in meaningful context rather than taught in isolation. Keep sentences short and use familiar nouns so the focus stays on the verb.
What to Expect
By the end of these activities, students will confidently point to a picture or mime an action and name the present tense verb. They will use verbs in simple sentences like 'The bird flies' or 'I dance' without hesitation.
These activities are a starting point. A full mission is the experience.
- Complete facilitation script with teacher dialogue
- Printable student materials, ready for class
- Differentiation strategies for every learner
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Common MisconceptionDuring the Verb Sentence Chain, notice if students write 'nouns as verbs', like 'book'. Stop the chain and ask, 'Can a book really book? What does the book do?' to clarify the difference.
Assessment Ideas
After the Picture Verb Hunt, show a new picture of a child painting. Ask, 'What is the child doing?' Listen for students to respond with 'painting' or other present tense verbs from the activity.
After the My Day Verbs activity, give each student a sentence strip with a simple sentence like 'The lion roars.' Ask them to underline the verb (the doing word) and illustrate it before leaving the class.
During the Action Mime Game, ask students, 'What are you doing right now?' Encourage them to use doing words like 'sitting', 'listening', or 'looking' to describe their current action.
Extensions & Scaffolding
- Challenge students to create a mini story using five different present tense verbs from the Picture Verb Hunt cards.
- For students who struggle, provide word banks with picture clues next to each verb during the My Day Verbs activity.
- Deeper exploration: Ask students to draw a scene with at least three actions and label them with present tense verbs, then present their scene to the class.
Key Vocabulary
| Verb | A verb is a doing word. It tells us what action someone or something is performing. |
| Present Tense | The present tense tells us about actions that are happening right now, at this very moment. |
| Action | An action is something that a person, animal, or thing does. Verbs describe these actions. |
| Doing Word | This is another name for a verb. It helps us understand what is happening. |
Suggested Methodologies
Planning templates for English
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