Lesson plan

Lesson Title: Past Continuous Tense

Grade Level: 7th-9th Grade
Objective(s):
• Students will understand the structure of the past continuous tense.
• Students will be able to form and use sentences in the past continuous tense.
Materials/Resources:
• Whiteboard and markers
• Handouts with example sentences
• Timer
• Pictures or visual prompts illustrating past actions
Introduction ( Structure and Usage) (15 minutes):
• Begin with a quick review of the simple past tense. Ask students to recall how we generally describe
actions in the past.
• Introduce the concept of the past continuous tense by explaining that it is used to describe actions
that were ongoing or in progress at a specific point in the past.
• Write example sentences on the board, highlighting the structure of the past continuous tense
(subject + "was/were" + verb + "-ing").
Main Content/Activities:
1. Guided Practice (15 minutes):
• Distribute handouts with sentences in simple past tense and ask students to rewrite them in the past
continuous tense.
• Review and discuss the answers as a class, emphasizing the changes in structure.
2. Drill Activity (10 minutes):
• Conduct a drill activity to reinforce the past continuous tense. Call out a list of verbs, and students
must quickly construct sentences in the past continuous tense. Use a timer to keep the activity fast-
paced.
3. Group Activity (20 minutes):
• Divide students into small groups and provide each group with a picture or visual prompt illustrating
a past scenario. Instruct them to create a short dialogue using the past continuous tense to describe
the scene.
• Groups present their dialogues to the class.
4. Application Exercise (15 minutes):
• Provide a written exercise where students individually write short paragraphs describing what they
and their friends were doing at a particular time in the past.
5. Closure (5 minutes):
• Summarize key points about the past continuous tense and its usage.
• Ask students to share one interesting thing they learned or found challenging during the lesson.
 Lesson plan

6. Assessment/Evaluation:
• Monitor student participation during the drill and group activity for evidence of understanding.
• Review the written paragraphs for correct usage of the past continuous tense.
7. Homework/Assignment:
• Assign a homework task that requires students to observe and record instances of the past
continuous tense in a book, movie, or TV show.
 Lesson plan

Lesson Title: Past Continuous Tense

Grade Level: 7th-9th Grade Name: Phoeurn Sokphin
Objective(s):
• Students will understand the structure of the past continuous tense.
• Students will be able to form and use sentences in the past continuous tense.
Materials/Resources:
• Whiteboard and markers
• Handouts with example sentences
• Timer
• Pictures or visual prompts illustrating past actions
Introduction ( Structure and Usage) (15 minutes):
(Stand in front of the class, facing the whiteboard.)
Teacher: Good morning, everyone! Today, we're diving into a new aspect of English grammar - the past
continuous tense. But before we start, let's quickly review what we know about the simple past tense. Who
can give me an example of a sentence in the simple past tense?
Student 1: (Raises hand) Yesterday, I played basketball.
Teacher: Excellent! Now, imagine you were playing basketball and something else was happening at the
same time. That's where the past continuous tense comes in. (Writes on the board) Let's look at an
example: "I was playing basketball." What do you notice about this sentence? How is it different from the
simple past tense?
Student 2: (Raises hand) It has "was playing" instead of just "played."
Teacher: Precisely! The past continuous tense uses "was" or "were" plus the verb with "-ing." Now, let's
explore this further.
Introduction to Structure and Usage (5 minutes):
• Teacher: Now, let's take a closer look at how we construct sentences in the past simple tense.
(Writes on the board) The past simple tense is used to talk about actions that happened in the past
and is formed by using the base form of the verb for regular verbs and adding "-ed." For example,
"play" becomes "played," and "watch" becomes "watched." Irregular verbs, on the other hand, don't
follow the same pattern. Each irregular verb has its own unique past tense form. (Shares a list with
the students)
Example Sentences (5 minutes):
• Teacher: Let's go through some examples together. (Writes on the board)
• "I play soccer." becomes "I played soccer."
• "She reads a book." becomes "She read a book."
• "They eat pizza." becomes "They ate pizza."
• Teacher: Notice how the verbs change to indicate that the actions happened in the past. Regular
verbs add "-ed," and irregular verbs have unique past forms.
 Lesson plan

Main Content/Activities:
1. Guided Practice (15 minutes):
(Distribute handouts with sentences in simple past tense.)
• Teacher: I have some sentences here in the simple past tense. Your task is to rewrite each
sentence in the past continuous tense. (Gives students time to work on the task)
➢ (Students work on the exercise.)
• Teacher: Okay, let's go over a couple of examples together. Who wants to share their answers?
• Student 3: "She danced at the party." becomes "She was dancing at the party."
• Teacher: Excellent! You've got it. Notice how we added "was" and changed "danced" to "dancing."
Let's do one more.
• Student 4: "I studied for the exam." becomes "I was studying for the exam."
• Teacher: Fantastic! You're getting the hang of it. Now, let's kick it up a notch.
2. Drill Activity (10 minutes):
(Transition to the drill activity.)
• Teacher: Now, let's practice the past continuous tense in a drill. I'll call out a list of verbs, and I want
you to quickly construct sentences in the past continuous tense. Ready? (Sets timer for 5 minutes)
➢ (Calls out verbs, and students respond with sentences.)
• Teacher: Time's up! Great job, everyone. The drill helps reinforce what we've learned. Now, let's
move on to a group activity.
3. Group Activity (20 minutes):
(Divide students into small groups and provide each group with a picture or visual prompt.)
Teacher: In your groups, you'll create a short dialogue using the past continuous tense to describe the
scene in the picture. Be creative and make sure to use the past continuous tense correctly. (Gives time for
group work)
➢ (Groups work on their dialogues.)
• Teacher: Okay, groups, who would like to share their dialogue with the class? (Groups present their
dialogues.)
• Teacher: Wonderful dialogues, everyone! You applied the past continuous tense very effectively.
Now, let's move on to an individual exercise.
➢ Application Exercise (15 minutes):
(Give students a written exercise where they individually write short paragraphs.)
• Teacher: On your own, write a short paragraph describing what you and your friends were doing at
a particular time in the past. Be sure to use the past continuous tense. (Gives time for individual
work)
• (Students work on the exercise.)
o Teacher: Well done, everyone! You've demonstrated a solid understanding of the past
continuous tense. Before we wrap up, any questions?
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4. Closure (5 minutes):
(Take a moment to summarize key points and address any lingering questions.)
• Teacher: Today, we explored the past continuous tense, and I'm impressed by how well you grasped
the concept. Remember, it's all about actions in progress in the past. Take note of it in your
observations of language use outside the classroom. Great job, and I look forward to seeing your
continued progress!
5. Assessment/Evaluation:
• (Monitor student participation during the drill and group activity. Review the written paragraphs for
correct usage of the past continuous tense.)
6. Homework/Assignment:
o (Assign a homework task that requires students to observe and record instances of the past
continuous tense in a book, movie, or TV show.)