Objectives
- Understand and apply the use of the present simple in English, specifically focusing on Yes/No questions and WH questions.
- Develop the ability to formulate questions in the present simple, both in Yes/No and WH question formats.
- Practice oral and written comprehension through interactive activities and role-playing.
Introduction (10-15 minutes)
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Review of previous content: Begin the lesson by briefly reviewing the present simple structure and its functions in the English language. This can be done through a quick quiz or a group discussion. (3-5 minutes)
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Problem situations: Present two problem situations that require the use of Yes/No questions and WH questions in the present simple. For example:
- "How would you ask if someone likes pizza?"
- "How would you ask what someone does for a living?" (5-7 minutes)
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Contextualization: Explain the importance of Yes/No questions and WH questions in everyday communication, emphasizing their use in situations like interviews, conversations with friends, and when seeking information. (2-3 minutes)
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Introduction to the topic: Introduce the topic by presenting two curiosities or interesting facts related to the use of Yes/No questions and WH questions in English:
- Curiosity 1: "Did you know that in English, the subject often comes before the verb in Yes/No questions? For example, instead of 'Are you happy?', we say 'Are you happy?'."
- Curiosity 2: "In WH questions, the 'wh' can be followed by 'at', 'in', 'on', 'for', 'with', etc. For example, 'Where are you from?' and 'What are you good at?'."
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Attention gain: To spark students' interest, play a short video or an interesting scene from a movie or series that features examples of Yes/No questions and WH questions in the present simple. Then, ask students what they understood and if they can identify the questions used. (5 minutes)
Development (30-35 minutes)
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Activity 1: "Question Chain" (15-20 minutes)
- Divide the class into groups of 5-6 students.
- Each group will receive a set of cards with different subjects (e.g., food, animals, sports, etc.).
- The first student in each group will pick a card and ask a Yes/No question or WH question related to the subject on the card. For example, if the card is "Food", the student could ask "Do you like pizza?" or "What is your favorite food?".
- The next student must answer the question and then ask a new question, continuing the chain.
- The game continues until all cards have been used.
- The group that manages to keep the chain of questions and answers going the longest wins.
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Activity 2: "Question Hunt" (15-20 minutes)
- Still in groups, students will receive a list of scenarios or situations (e.g., at a restaurant, at the zoo, at the airport, etc.).
- Each group must create a short dialogue for each scenario, using Yes/No questions and WH questions in the present simple.
- After creating the dialogues, groups will perform their scenes for the class.
- The teacher will correct any errors and provide feedback, encouraging students to correct and improve their dialogues.
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Activity 3: "Question Quiz" (10-15 minutes)
- The teacher will create a digital quiz with questions of Yes/No and WH questions in the present simple.
- Students will answer the quiz individually, using their mobile devices or computers.
- The teacher will review the answers together with the class, explaining the correct answers and clarifying any doubts.
- This activity will serve as a review and assessment of what was learned during the lesson.
Feedback (15-20 minutes)
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Group discussion (5-7 minutes)
- Gather all students together and start a group discussion. Each group will have up to 3 minutes to share the solutions or conclusions they reached during the activities.
- Encourage students to explain the Yes/No questions and WH questions they used in their dialogues and how they formulated them.
- The teacher should facilitate the discussion, asking questions to stimulate students' thinking and to ensure that everyone is involved.
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Connection to theory (5-7 minutes)
- After the discussion, the teacher will review the theoretical points covered in the lesson, connecting them with the practical activities.
- For example, the teacher can highlight how Yes/No questions and WH questions were used in the activities and how they relate to the content presented in the Introduction of the lesson.
- This step is crucial to consolidate learning and for students to understand the relevance of what they have learned.
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Individual reflection (3-5 minutes)
- To end the lesson, the teacher will propose that students reflect individually on what they have learned.
- The teacher can ask questions like:
- "What was the most important concept you learned today?"
- "What questions have not been answered yet?"
- Students will have a minute to think about these questions. Then, they will be invited to share their answers with the class, if they wish.
- This final reflection will help students to internalize the content of the lesson and to identify any areas that still need clarification.
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Feedback and closure (2-3 minutes)
- To conclude the lesson, the teacher will provide general feedback, highlighting the strengths of the lesson and areas for improvement.
- The teacher will also give a brief overview of the next lesson, so students know what to expect.
- Finally, the teacher will close the lesson, thanking the students for their participation and encouraging them to continue practicing English outside the classroom.
Conclusion (5-10 minutes)
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Summary of key contents (2-3 minutes)
- The teacher will recap the main points covered during the lesson, reinforcing the structure of Yes/No questions and WH questions in the present simple.
- Remind students about the importance of the subject in everyday communication, especially in situations where they need to obtain information or have conversations.
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Connection between theory and practice (1-2 minutes)
- Emphasize how the activities carried out during the lesson helped to apply the theory, allowing students to practice formulating Yes/No questions and WH questions.
- Highlight how the "Question Chain" game, the "Question Hunt", and the "Question Quiz" reinforced understanding and use of the present simple.
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Extra materials (1-2 minutes)
- Suggest extra materials for students who wish to deepen their knowledge on the subject. These materials may include websites, apps, textbooks, videos, and online exercises.
- For example, the teacher can recommend the use of language learning apps that offer interactive activities and instant feedback.
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Relevance of the subject (1-2 minutes)
- Finally, the teacher will emphasize the importance of the subject in students' daily lives, explaining how the ability to form Yes/No questions and WH questions in the present simple can be useful in various situations, from casual conversations to job interviews.
- Encourage students to practice what they have learned, whether by speaking with native speakers, watching movies and series in English, or reading books and articles in English.
- Conclude the lesson by reinforcing the importance of continuous practice and study for effective learning of the English language.