Exploring Past Tense

Overview

Age Group: Year 1 (5-6 years)
Duration: 45 minutes
Class Size: 30 students
Unit: Writing Adventures: Past Tense
Lesson: 1 of 3
Book: The Queen’s Knickers by Nicholas Allan (read-aloud)

---

National Curriculum Links

English - Writing: Vocabulary, Grammar and Punctuation (Year 1)

• Pupils should learn to:
  • Use the grammatical terminology: verb, past tense, and present tense.
  • Use the present and past tenses correctly and consistently, including the progressive form.
  • Write simple sentences by sequencing words and phrases to form short narratives.

English - Reading: Comprehension (Year 1)

• Discuss word meanings, linking new meanings to those already known.
• Participate in discussions about what is read to them.

---

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils will be able to:

• Identify verbs in the present tense within a familiar story.
• Understand the concept of past tense as verbs that indicate actions that have already happened.
• Convert simple present tense verbs into their past tense forms, recognising regular and some irregular verbs.
• Use the grammatical terms ‘verb’, ‘present tense’, and ‘past tense’ appropriately during discussion.

---

Resources

• The Queen’s Knickers storybook (or printed story pages)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Verb flashcards (present tense verbs common to the story and everyday actions)
• Worksheets with a list of simple present tense verbs for conversion
• ‘Verb Detective’ badges or stickers for motivation
• A large “Verb Wall” chart with columns for Present Tense / Past Tense

---

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Set the scene: Ask pupils if they know what ‘verbs’ are. Reinforce that verbs are action words (e.g. run, jump, eat).
• Engage: Show the cover of The Queen’s Knickers and briefly introduce the story to build interest.
• Read-Aloud: Teacher reads the story aloud, pausing to emphasise verbs and actions, e.g., “The Queen wears her knickers” (present tense).
• Teacher modelling: On the whiteboard, write down selected verbs from the story in present tense (wear, run, jump, eat). Model how to turn them into past tense (wore, ran, jumped, ate) explaining that the action happened before now.

---

2. Guided Practice (15 minutes)

• Verb Sorting Group Activity:
  • Class divided into 6 groups of 5 pupils.
  • Each group receives 5 verb flashcards (present tense).
  • Task: Convert these into past tense together; discuss spelling changes (e.g. add -ed for regular verbs, or irregular verbs like ‘go’ → ‘went’).
  • Groups write their past tense forms on mini whiteboards or paper sheets.
  • Teacher circulates, giving prompts and correction.
• Share and display: Each group shares one or two verbs and their past tense forms, sticking them onto the ‘Verb Wall’. Celebrate with ‘Verb Detective’ stickers.

---

3. Independent/Paired Practice (15 minutes)

• Worksheet Activity:
  • Pupils work individually or in pairs to complete a short worksheet converting a list of present tense verbs into past tense.
  • Includes some regular verbs (play, jump, walk) and some irregular verbs (see, go, have).
  • Challenge: Circle the irregular verbs they find.
• Teacher Support: Target support for pupils struggling with concept or spelling.

---

4. Plenary and Assessment (5 minutes)

• Interactive Quiz: Use a ‘Who Am I?’ guessing game with actions.
  • Teacher says a present tense verb and pupils shout out the past tense form.
  • Praise and encourage all answers — reinforce learning and build confidence.
• Q&A reflection: What is a verb? What does past tense mean? Can you give an example?

---

Differentiation

• Support: Sentence starters and pictorial verb cards for EAL/SEN pupils.
• Challenge: Additional irregular verb examples for early finishers, encourage writing simple sentences using past tense verbs.

---

Assessment for Learning

• Teacher notes pupils’ ability to convert verbs during group activity and worksheet completion.
• Use verbal responses during plenary to evaluate conceptual understanding.
• Informal observation of language use (verb terms) during discussions.

---

Extension Idea

• Encourage pupils to bring a short sentence using past tense verbs for next lesson’s “Writing Adventures” task.
• Create a classroom ‘Past Tense Poster’ collaboratively to display learning over the unit.

---

Reflection

• Was the read-aloud effective in highlighting verbs?
• Did pupils demonstrate understanding of the past tense concept through the group and worksheet activities?
• Adjust subsequent lessons to reinforce or extend, especially irregular verb recognition.

---

This lesson plan balances engaging storytelling with hands-on activities, ensuring young learners achieve early mastery of past tense verbs as per the National Curriculum. The use of group tasks, visual aids, and recognition activities aims to foster excitement and confidence in their writing adventures.