Contextualization

Welcome to the fascinating and complex world of the Portuguese language! Let's study one of the most important elements of any sentence: the verb and its properties. The verb is the heart of the sentence, and it gives meaning and movement to language. But did you know that it has distinct characteristics that define it? That is, tense, mood, and aspect are properties that help us understand and use verbs more effectively.

Verbal tenses are temporal markers that locate the action of the verb in a specific moment: past, present or future. Verbal moods, on the other hand, allow us to express actions in different ways, such as a possibility, a reality, a desire, an order, etc. The verbal aspect has to do with the way we perceive the development of the action expressed by the verb. Let's focus, for the moment, on the analysis of the present tense, which is one of the most used tenses and also one of the most complex.

Effective learning of the use of the verb's present tense is essential for building clear and coherent statements. In everyday life, we use the verb's present tense in various ways: when describing an action that is happening now, when talking about habits and routines, when expressing general truths, when making immediate predictions, among other situations. In literature, for example, authors use the present tense to create a sense of immediacy and urgency, making the reader feel part of the action. In science and academia, the present tense is often used to describe theories, hypotheses, and research results.

Why is this important? By understanding and correctly using the verbal tense, you improve your comprehension and expression skills in Portuguese. In addition, the ability to adapt the use of verbal tense to the communicative situation is an essential competence in many areas of life, including work and education.

To start our project, I suggest that you use the following reliable resources for further study:

1. The book "Grammar of the Portuguese Language," by Maria Helena Mira Mateus, Ana Maria Brito and others.
2. The reference website on the Portuguese language, Ciberdúvidas, available at: https://ciberduvidas.iscte-iul.pt/
3. The chapters on verbs on the Português Língua Viva platform, available at: https://www.portugues-lingua-viva.pt/

Practical Activity: "The Journey of the Verb in the Present Tense"

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to deepen the understanding of the use of the present tense of the verb in different contexts and aspects, through multidisciplinary research and the creation of a script for a play.

Detailed Project Description

This project should be carried out in groups of 3 to 5 students, with an estimated duration of more than twelve hours per student. The project will involve the disciplines of Portuguese and Arts, integrating linguistic and creative skills to develop a deeper understanding of the theme.

Required Materials

• Computer or mobile device with internet access for research
• Textbooks and reference books on Portuguese grammar
• Writing materials (pens, pencils, paper)
• Materials and resources needed for the play's setting and costumes (depending on the students' creativity)

Step-by-Step

1. Study and Research: Begin with in-depth research on the use of the verb in the present tense. Use the resources suggested in the Contextualization and other reliable materials. Focus on understanding when and how the present tense is used, what its moods are, and different aspects.

2. Brainstorming and Planning: After the research, the group should brainstorm to define the plot of the play. The plot should include examples of the use of the verb in the present tense in different contexts and aspects. Plan the characters, setting, costumes, dialogue, etc.

3. Script Creation: Based on the planning, the group should write the script for the play, ensuring that each scene represents a different use of the verb in the present tense.

4. Rehearsal and Presentation: Rehearse the play, refining the scenes and dialogue as needed. Organize a presentation of the play for the class or a selected audience.

5. Documentation: In parallel with the creation of the play, the group should document the entire project process. The document should be structured in four main parts: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography. In the Introduction, explain the relevance of studying the verb, in particular, the present tense. In the Development, describe the research process, the development of the script and the production of the play, explain the theory about the present tense that formed the basis for the creation of the play and discuss the results obtained. In the Conclusion, revisit the main points, concluding the lessons learned. In the Bibliography, indicate all the sources consulted during the project.

Project Conclusion and Deliverables

The group must present the play and deliver the written document. These two deliverables are interconnected and complement each other. While the staging exercise concretizes the use of the concepts learned and stimulates creativity and collaboration, the written document reflects the learning process, the application of theory, and the critical view on the use of the present tense of verbs. In addition, it allows for individual and group assessment, reflecting the division of tasks, time management, problem solving and collaboration.