Lesson Plan | Traditional Methodology | Verbs: Simple Past and Present Perfect

Objectives

Duration: 10 to 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to guide students on the learning goals for the lesson, ensuring that they are aware of what they should be able to do by the end. This establishes a clear direction and focus, helping to maximize understanding and retention of the content presented.

Main Objectives

1. Recognize the difference between the simple past and the present perfect.

2. Write correct sentences using the present perfect.

3. Identify verbs in the present perfect in texts and dialogues.

Introduction

Duration: 10 to 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to engage students from the beginning by providing a clear and interesting context that highlights the practical importance of the content. This will help motivate them to pay attention and better understand the relevance of what they are learning, establishing a solid foundation for learning the simple past and the present perfect.

Context

Explain to the students that verbs are the backbone of any language as they indicate actions, states, and events. In English, understanding the difference between the simple past and the present perfect is crucial for effective communication. The simple past is used for actions that occurred at a specific time in the past, while the present perfect connects the past to the present, indicating actions that occurred at an unspecified time but are relevant now. Ask the students if they have ever felt confused trying to use these verb tenses and explain that this lesson will help clarify these doubts.

Curiosities

Did you know that the present perfect is often used in job interviews in English? For example, when someone asks about your past experiences and achievements, they usually want to know how these experiences are relevant to the present. Thus, mastering the present perfect can not only improve your writing and speaking skills but also increase your chances in professional situations!

Development

Duration: 45 to 50 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to provide a detailed and practical understanding of the uses and formations of the simple past and the present perfect. By addressing each topic sequentially and logically, students will internalize the rules and differences between these verb tenses, applying this knowledge in practical exercises and real-life situations.

Covered Topics

1. Definition and Use of the Simple Past: Explain that the simple past is used to describe actions that occurred at a specific time in the past. Examples: 'I visited my grandmother last weekend.' or 'She finished her homework yesterday.' Highlight that actions in the simple past are often accompanied by time expressions like 'yesterday', 'last week', 'in 2010', etc. 2. Formation of the Simple Past: Detail how to form the simple past for regular verbs (adding '-ed' at the end) and list some common irregular verbs. For example: 'walk' becomes 'walked', but 'go' becomes 'went'. 3. Definition and Use of the Present Perfect: Explain that the present perfect is used to describe actions that occurred at an unspecified time in the past and have relevance in the present. Examples: 'I have visited Paris.' or 'She has finished her homework.' 4. Formation of the Present Perfect: Describe how to form the present perfect using 'have' or 'has' followed by the past participle of the verb. Provide examples like 'have/has + past participle (watched, gone, done)'. 5. Differences between Simple Past and Present Perfect: Highlight the main differences between the two verb tenses. Use comparative examples to illustrate. For example: 'I saw that movie last night.' (simple past) versus 'I have seen that movie before.' (present perfect). 6. Examples and Practice: Provide additional examples and practice forming sentences with the students. Ask them to write sentences in their notebooks and then correct them together, explaining each case.

Classroom Questions

1. Write three sentences using the simple past to describe activities you did last weekend. 2. Write two sentences using the present perfect to talk about experiences you have had in your life. 3. Compare the sentences: 'I went to the store.' and 'I have been to the store.' Explain the difference between the two verb tenses.

Questions Discussion

Duration: 20 to 25 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to review and consolidate what has been learned, ensuring that students clearly understand the differences and uses of the simple past and the present perfect. By discussing the responses and reflections, students have the opportunity to clarify doubts, solidify their knowledge, and apply grammatical rules in practical and meaningful contexts.

Discussion

• For Question 1: Ask the students to share the sentences they wrote using the simple past. Explain that the simple past is used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Expected responses: 'I visited my friend last Saturday.', 'I watched a movie on Sunday.', 'I finished my homework yesterday.'

• For Question 2: Request that students read aloud their sentences using the present perfect. Emphasize that the present perfect is used to talk about experiences that occurred at an unspecified time in the past but are relevant in the present. Expected responses: 'I have traveled to Spain.', 'She has learned to play the guitar.'

• For Question 3: Ask students to compare the sentences 'I went to the store.' and 'I have been to the store.' Explain that the first sentence uses the simple past to indicate a completed action at a specific time in the past, while the second sentence uses the present perfect to indicate an experience or action that has relevance in the present. Highlight that the use of the present perfect does not specify when the action occurred, only that it happened at some point that is relevant now.

Student Engagement

1. Ask: 'What is the most noticeable difference you see between the use of the simple past and the present perfect?' 2. Question: 'Why is it important to know when to use each of these verb tenses?' 3. Ask students to reflect: 'How can understanding these verb tenses help in practical situations, such as job interviews or everyday conversations?' 4. Suggest that students discuss among themselves: 'Do you think there are situations where it is more difficult to decide which verb tense to use? Give examples.'

Conclusion

Duration: 10 to 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to review and consolidate the main points covered during the lesson, ensuring that students leave with a clear and practical understanding of the differences between the simple past and the present perfect. By recapping the content and discussing its practical relevance, students can connect theoretical learning with everyday situations, solidifying the knowledge acquired.

Summary

• Definition and use of the simple past: used to describe actions that occurred at a specific time in the past.
• Formation of the simple past: for regular verbs (adding '-ed') and examples of irregular verbs.
• Definition and use of the present perfect: used to describe actions that occurred at an unspecified time in the past with relevance in the present.
• Formation of the present perfect: using 'have' or 'has' followed by the past participle of the verb.
• Differences between simple past and present perfect: comparative examples to illustrate the differences.

The lesson connected theory with practice by providing detailed explanations of the simple past and present perfect, followed by examples and practical exercises. This allowed students to apply theoretical knowledge in the formation of sentences, facilitating the internalization of grammatical rules and understanding of the differences between the verb tenses.

Understanding the difference between the simple past and the present perfect is crucial for effective communication in English. These verb tenses are frequently used in everyday situations, such as telling stories or talking about experiences. Additionally, mastery of these verb tenses is essential in professional contexts, such as job interviews, where clarity and precision in communication are vital.