The Verb "To Be"

Curriculum Area

• Subject: English
• Key Stage: 4 (Students aged 14-16)
• Specific Curriculum Area: Grammar and Language Skills
• Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Learning Objective

By the end of the lesson, students will:

1. Understand the different forms and uses of the verb "to be".
2. Apply their understanding in constructing sentences using digital tools.
3. Engage with technology to enhance their learning and retention.

Materials Needed

• Interactive Whiteboard/Screen
• Students’ Tablets or Laptops
• Internet Access
• Grammar Apps (like Grammarly or Microsoft Word Grammar Check)
• Printed Handouts
• Exit Tickets

Lesson Structure

Introduction (5 minutes)

1. Greeting and Objective Overview:
   • Welcome the students and briefly explain the lesson's goal.
   • Display a simple chart of the verb "to be" forms (am, is, are, was, were, being, been) on the interactive whiteboard.

Direct Instruction (10 minutes)

1. Explanation of Concept:

   • Use the interactive whiteboard to break down each form of the verb "to be", providing examples:
     • Present: am, is, are
     • Past: was, were
     • Past Participle: been
     • Continuous: being
   • Discuss different contexts where the verb "to be" is used (e.g. state of being, passive voice).

2. Use of Technology:

   • Demonstrate how to use a grammar app (such as Grammarly) to check for correct usage of the verb "to be" in sentences.
   • Show how Microsoft Word's grammar check can highlight errors related to the verb "to be".

Guided Practice (10 minutes)

1. Interactive Activity:
   • Divide students into small groups of 3-4.
   • Assign each group a tablet or laptop.
   • Provide each group with a brief paragraph containing errors related to the verb "to be”.
   • Have students use grammar check tools to identify and correct the errors.
   • Reconvene and discuss the corrections as a class.

Independent Practice (10 minutes)

1. Creating Sentences:
   • Hand out a worksheet with prompts requiring students to complete sentences using the verb "to be".
   • Students will type their sentences into a document on their tablets or laptops and use grammar check tools to self-correct before submitting.

Review and Reflection (5 minutes)

1. Class Discussion:

   • Review some examples of correct and incorrect sentence forms from student submissions.
   • Highlight common mistakes and correct them as a class.

2. Exit Ticket:

   • Each student submits an exit ticket with one corrected sentence using the verb "to be" and a brief reflection on how technology helped them in this exercise.

Assessment

• Formative Assessments:
  • Group activity corrections
  • Worksheet completion
  • Exit tickets

Differentiation

• For Advanced Students:

  • Provide more complex sentences to correct.
  • Ask them to create short paragraphs using various forms of the verb "to be".

• For Struggling Students:

  • Offer more guided practice with direct teacher support.
  • Use simpler sentences and provide additional examples.

Homework

1. Digital Journal Entry:
   • Students will write a short journal entry about their day, ensuring they use the verb "to be" in different forms.
   • They will submit the entry through an online classroom platform, using a grammar check tool before submission.

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This lesson plan leverages the effective use of technology to teach grammar while keeping students engaged in a modern, interactive way. By integrating digital tools, students not only learn the subject matter but also acquire valuable skills in using technology for learning and self-improvement.