Mastering the Present Simple, Present Continuous, and Imperative

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vmbo k, t
• Leerjaar 1

Mastering the Present Simple, Present Continuous, Articles and Imperative

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to use the present simple and present continuous in sentences, use the articles 'the', 'a', and 'an' in sentences, and use the imperative in sentences.

Introduce the learning objectives and explain that the lesson will cover three important grammatical structures.

What do you already know about using the present simple, present continuous, articles, and imperative in sentences?

Present Simple

The present simple is used to describe actions that are habits or routines or facts that are generally true. For example: 'I drink coffee every morning.'

Explain that the present simple is a basic verb tense and give some examples of sentences in the present simple.

Present Continuous

The present continuous is used to describe actions that are happening now or around the current time. For example: 'I am drinking coffee right now.'

Explain that the present continuous is another basic verb tense and give some examples of sentences in the present continuous.

Using 'the'

We use 'the' before a noun when we are talking about something specific. For example: 'The book on the table is mine.'

Explain that 'the' is a definite article and give some examples of sentences using 'the'.

Using 'a' and 'an'

We use 'a' before a noun when we are talking about something in general or when the noun starts with a consonant sound. We use 'an' before a noun when the noun starts with a vowel sound. For example: 'I need a pencil.' or 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away.'

Explain that 'a' and 'an' are indefinite articles and give some examples of sentences using 'a' and 'an'.

Imperative

The imperative is used to give commands or instructions. For example: 'Sit down.' or 'Don't touch that.'

Explain that the imperative is used to give commands or instructions and give some examples of sentences using the imperative.

Practice: Present Simple vs Present Continuous

Fill in the blanks with the correct verb tense: 'I usually (eat/eating) breakfast at 7am.'

Give the students a few practice sentences to differentiate between the present simple and present continuous.

Which verb tense is used to describe an action happening at the moment of speaking?

1. Past Continuous
2. Present Simple
3. Present Continuous
4. Past Simple

What is the correct verb tense to fill in the blank: 'I (am/is/are) eating breakfast right now.'?

1. am
2. is
3. eat
4. are

Which verb tense is used to describe a habitual action?

1. Past Continuous
2. Present Simple
3. Present Continuous
4. Past Simple

What is the correct verb tense to fill in the blank: 'I usually (eat/eating) breakfast at 7am.'?

1. eat
2. ate
3. eaten
4. eating

Practice: Using 'the', 'a', and 'an'

Give the students a few practice sentences to differentiate between 'the', 'a', and 'an'.

Which article should be used before a singular noun that is not specific?

1. the
2. none
3. a
4. an

Which article should be used before a word that starts with a vowel sound?

1. the
2. an
3. a
4. none

What is the correct article to use when referring to a specific book?

1. an
2. the
3. to
4. a

Which article should be used in the sentence 'Can you pass me (the/a/an) salt, please?'

1. to
2. the
3. an
4. a

Interactive Exercise: Using 'the', 'a', and 'an'

Give the students a list of nouns and have them practice using 'the', 'a', and 'an' with the nouns.

Provide a list of nouns on the board or projector and have the students practice using 'the', 'a', and 'an' with the nouns.

Which article should be used for the word 'chair'?

1. an
2. the
3. none
4. a

Which article should be used for the word 'umbrella'?

1. none
2. a
3. an
4. the

Which article should be used for the word 'book'?

1. an
2. the
3. none
4. a

Practice: Imperative/Gebiedende wijs

Give the students a few practice sentences to change into the imperative.

What is the imperative form of the sentence: They must finish their homework.

1. Finish your homework!
2. Finishing your homework!
3. Complete your homework!
4. Finished your homework!

What is the imperative form of the sentence: He should call his mother.

1. Phone your mother!
2. Calling your mother!
3. Call your mother!
4. Called your mother!

What is the imperative form of the sentence: You need to study more.

1. Studied more!
2. Studying more!
3. Do more studying!
4. Study more!

Present Simple, Present Continuous

Review the three grammatical structures and ask the students to give examples of sentences using each one.

Which tense is used for actions happening at the moment of speaking?

1. Present Continuous
2. Past Simple
3. Future Simple
4. Present Simple

Which tense is used for describing habits or routines?

1. Present Simple
2. Past Continuous
3. Present Continuous
4. Past Simple

Summary

In this lesson, we learned about the present simple, present continuous, using 'the', 'a', and 'an', and the imperative. Keep practicing these grammatical structures to become more fluent in English!

Summarize the key points of the lesson and encourage the students to keep practicing.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.