Action Words with "ing"

Lesson Overview

Grade Level: 1st Grade
Subject: English Language Arts
Duration: 40 minutes
Standards:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1.E: Use verbs to convey a sense of past, present, and future (e.g., Yesterday I walked home; Today I walk home; Tomorrow I will walk home).

Objectives

1. Students will recognize and describe the present continuous tense.
2. Students will correctly add "ing" to base verbs.
3. Students will use verbs ending in "ing" to describe ongoing actions.

Materials

• Chart paper and markers
• Word cards with base verbs (e.g., run, jump, play)
• Blank index cards
• Magazines or newspapers (for cutting pictures)
• Scissors and glue sticks

Lesson Activities

Introduction (5 minutes)

1. Greeting and Setting the Stage
   Greet students and briefly discuss actions we do every day. Ask, "What actions are you doing right now?" Guide students to say words like "sitting" or "listening."

2. Verb Introduction
   Draw three simple stick figures on the board—one running, one jumping, and one sitting. Beside each image, write the verb with "ing" (running, jumping, sitting). Explain that when we are doing something right now, we add "ing" to the verb.

Direct Instruction (10 minutes)

1. Explanation
   Explain that adding "ing" to a verb shows that the action is happening now. Write on the board: "I am run + ing = running." Break down the word, demonstrating the addition of "ing."

2. Rules for Adding "ing"

   • For most verbs, simply add "ing": (play + ing = playing).
   • For verbs ending in "e," drop the "e" and add "ing" (make → making). Illustrate this with examples: "take" becomes "taking," "dance" becomes "dancing."

3. Modeling
   Verbally model sentences: "I am jumping," "She is running." Encourage students to repeat after you.

Guided Practice (10 minutes)

1. Interactive Word Wall
   On chart paper, list verbs like "run," "jump," "walk," "read," "dance." Call students to pick a verb and create a sentence using the present continuous tense (e.g., "I am running.").

2. Verb Transformation
   Distribute word cards and blank index cards to pairs. Each pair selects a base verb, identifies what needs to be done to add "ing," and writes the new word on the index card. Discuss their transformations.

Independent Practice (10 minutes)

1. Magazine Collage
   Provide students with magazines/newspapers. Have them find pictures of actions, cut those actions out, and paste them onto paper. Students then label the picture with a sentence using "ing" (e.g., "The dog is jumping.").

Conclusion and Review (5 minutes)

1. Review and Share
   Ask volunteers to share their collages and read their sentences aloud.

2. Exit Ticket
   Have each student verbalize one action they will do after school using a verb ending in "ing," e.g., "I am playing with my dog."

Assessment

• Formative: Observe students during guided practice for understanding of adding "ing."
• Summative: Evaluate student collages for correct use of present continuous tense.

Differentiation

• For advanced students: Encourage them to write additional sentences using "ing" verbs and illustrate them.
• For students needing extra help: Work in small groups, providing additional examples and hands-on guidance.

Reflection

Post-lesson, reflect on student engagement and understanding. Consider strategies to further scaffold learning for students who found adding "ing" challenging.