Active Learning Adventure

Overview

Grade: 5th
Subject: English
Duration: 210 minutes
Theme: Present Continuous Tense & Favorite Activities
Class Size: 12 Students
Objective:

• Students will be able to talk about actions that are happening in the moment using present continuous tense.
• Students will be able to express their favorite free-time activities.

US Curriculum Standards

Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.1 – Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

Materials Needed

• Chart paper and markers
• Index cards
• Whistle
• Ball (basketball, soccer ball, or similar)
• Cones or markers for outdoor space
• Whiteboard and dry erase markers
• Copies of activity worksheets

Lesson Structure

[Warm-Up & Introduction (30 Minutes)]

1. Introduction to Present Continuous (15 minutes)

   • Start with a brief discussion on different actions people might do in their favorite sports. Write a few examples on the whiteboard: "He is running," "She is jumping," "They are playing."
   • Introduce the use of the present continuous tense to describe actions happening now. Elicit sentences from the students based on the examples given.

2. Engage with a Game: Charades (15 minutes)

   • Divide the students into two teams.
   • Give each team a set of action cards (e.g., "swimming," "reading").
   • One student from each team acts out the action for the team to guess using "He/She is [verb]-ing."

[Main Activity & Exploration (90 Minutes)]

1. Activity 1: Outdoor Action Relay (45 minutes)

   • Move outdoors and set up a relay course using cones.
   • Divide students into teams of four.
   • At each station, students must perform a simple action (e.g., "hopping," "throwing") and say what their teammate is doing using the present continuous form (e.g., "She is hopping").
   • Provide each team with a clipboard and paper to record sentences for each action station.
   • Finish with one member from each team presenting their favorite station actions.

2. Activity 2: Favorite Sports Discussion (45 minutes)

   • Return to the classroom.
   • In small groups, students discuss and list their favorite free-time activities and sports, using the present continuous.
   • Each group presents 3-4 sentences (e.g., "Sam is playing soccer," "Anna is drawing") to the class.
   • Write these on chart papers and display in the classroom.

[Creative Activity (45 Minutes)]

1. Create a Sports Action Story (45 minutes)
   • Hand out worksheets where students will create a short story using illustrations.
   • They will draw themselves or a character engaging in a favorite sport or activity using present continuous sentences.
   • Students will write at least five sentences (e.g., "I am dribbling the basketball," "My friends are cheering").
   • Students share their stories with a partner before displaying them around the room.

[Closing & Reflection (45 Minutes)]

1. Reflection Circle (20 minutes)

   • Gather students in a circle.
   • Prompt: "What did you enjoy most about today?" Have students use present continuous in their responses (e.g., "I am enjoying the relay race").

2. Present Tense Scavenger Hunt (25 minutes)

   • Prepare a scavenger hunt in the classroom with hidden items related to sports or activities.
   • Each item has a clue using the present continuous (e.g., "Find the place where someone is kicking a ball").
   • Students work in pairs, using present continuous sentences as they discuss the clues and find the items.

Assessment

• Formative: Listen to students' use of present continuous during activities to ensure understanding.
• Summative: Review students' action stories and sentences for correct use of present continuous tense.

Extensions

• Incorporate a digital component by having students record short videos of actions outside of class and narrate using present continuous.
• Introduce other tenses by comparing "I am playing basketball" with "I play basketball."

Differentiation

• For advanced students: Encourage them to use more complex sentences or add descriptions (e.g., "I am quickly dribbling the basketball").
• For students needing extra support: Provide additional visual aids or sentence starters (e.g., "He is _______").