Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Verb Tense Foldable Project

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

5

Overview

This learning activity will assess students' understanding of verb tenses and is meant to be utilized after an instructional unit on verbs and verb tenses. In addition, students will be required to demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English grammar, usage, and spelling when writing. 

This resource was created as a part of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

    English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 5

    ELA21.5.39

    Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage in writing.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:ELA21.5.39

    Vocabulary

    • Demonstrate
    • Command
    • Conventions
    • Standard English grammar
    • Standard English usage

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Standard English grammar and usage conventions.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Demonstrate correct standard English grammar and word usage in writing.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Demonstrating command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing is necessary to convey meaning.
    English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 5

    ELA21.5.39e

    Use verb tenses to convey various times, sequences, states, and conditions.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:ELA21.5.39e

    Vocabulary

    • Verb tenses
    • Times Sequences States Conditions

    Knowledge

    • The tense of a verb tells you when a person did something or when something existed or happened.
    • In English, there are three main tenses: the present, the past, and the future.
    • There are regular verbs that follow a predictable pattern when changing tenses, but there are also irregular verbs that can change their entire spelling when changing tenses.

    Skills

    • Use verb tenses to describe various times, sequences, states, and conditions in writing.

    Understanding

    • They can change the tense of verbs in writing to indicate various times, sequences, states, and conditions.
    English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 5

    ELA21.5.39g

    Use perfect verb tenses to compose and revise writing.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:ELA21.5.39g

    Vocabulary

    • Perfect verb tenses
    • Compose
    • Revise

    Knowledge

    • Perfect verb tense is used to show an action that is complete and finished.
    • This tense is expressed by adding one of the auxiliary verbs have, has, or had to the past participle form of the main verb.

    Skills

    • Use perfect verb tenses correctly in writing.
    • Revise writing for correct usage of perfect verb tenses.

    Understanding

    • The perfect verb tense should be used for actions that are completed and finished.
    • A perfect verb tense is created by using a helping verb and the past participle of the main verb.

    Phase

    After/Explain/Elaborate
    Learning Objectives

    Learning Objectives

    Students will form and use the perfect verb tenses. 

    Students will use verb tense to convey various times and states. 

    Students will demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English grammar and usage when writing.  

    Activity Details

    1. Give students the Verb Tenses Foldable Project Instructions. Review the instructions with students. If needed, review the verb tenses required by the project with students. Give students examples of how to change one verb into the different tenses (i.e. I walked, I walk, I will walk, I had walked, I have walked, I will have walked). 

    2. Give students a white sheet of paper to create foldable. You can provide students with a template, or students can fold and cut a white sheet of paper as seen in this video (the first minute and thirty seconds explains the folding and cutting procedures).

    3. Students will complete the project as directed by the instructions. Students will need art supplies, such as colored pencils, crayons, or markers for their illustrations. 

    Assessment Strategies

    Assessment Strategies

    The teacher will assess student mastery of the standards and learning objective using the checklist provided by the instruction sheet. The teacher may assign point values to each criterion if desired. 

    Variation Tips

    This learning activity could be modified to review and assess this fourth-grade standard:
    ELA21.4.39b.  Form and use the progressive verb tenses.
    Examples: I was walking, I am walking

    For example, on the fourth flap of the foldable, students could write the progressive forms of the verb, rather than the perfect tenses. 

    Background and Preparation

    Background / Preparation

    This learning activity is designed to be implemented after an instructional unit on verbs and verb tenses. Students will need prior knowledge of the standard verb tenses as well as perfect verb tenses. 

    The teacher will need to make a copy of the instruction sheet for each student or give students digital access to the instruction sheet. 

    Each student will need a white piece of paper to create foldable, or the teacher can make copies of a template.

    Each student will need a pair of scissors and art supplies, such as colored pencils, crayons, or markers, to create the foldable.

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