English · Class 1

Active learning ideas

Verbs in the Present Tense

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.

• CBSE Learning Outcomes
• CBSE: Doing Words (Verbs) - Class 1
• CBSE: Basic Grammar - Class 1

• 10–15 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Hot Seat
• 15 min · Whole Class

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.

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.

What to look for

Show students a picture of a child reading a book. Ask: 'What is the child doing?' Listen for students to respond with the verb 'reading'. Repeat with other action pictures like 'sleeping', 'eating', 'playing'.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 02

• Hot Seat
• 10 min · Small Groups

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.

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.

What to look for

Give each student a card with a simple sentence like 'The cat sleeps.' Ask them to circle the verb (the doing word) in the sentence. Collect the cards to check understanding.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 03

• Hot Seat
• 12 min · Pairs

My Day Verbs

Each child says three things they are doing or did today using present verbs. Share with partner and draw one.

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.

What to look for

Ask students: 'What are you doing right now in class?' Prompt them to use doing words. For example, if a student is writing, encourage them to say 'I am writing.' If they are listening, 'I am listening.'

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 04

• Hot Seat
• 10 min · Whole Class

Verb Sentence Chain

Start with 'I run'. Next child adds a verb like 'and jump'. Continue around the circle to form a long sentence.

What is the bird doing in this picture?

What to look for

Show students a picture of a child reading a book. Ask: 'What is the child doing?' Listen for students to respond with the verb 'reading'. Repeat with other action pictures like 'sleeping', 'eating', 'playing'.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

A few notes on teaching this unit

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.

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.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During 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.

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Methods used in this brief

• Hot Seat