Exploring the Verb "Ir"

Curriculum Area and Level

Curriculum Area: Language Acquisition – Spanish
Grade Level: 8th Grade (aligned with the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages [ACTFL] Standards for Intermediate Low Level)

Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Understand the conjugation and usage of the Spanish verb "ir" in the context of future plans.
2. Write sentences about their future plans using "ir + a + infinitive".
3. Listen to and comprehend spoken Spanish involving future plans.
4. Speak about their own future plans using "ir + a + infinitive".
5. Read and interpret brief passages discussing future activities using the targeted verb structure.

Materials Needed

• Computer and projector with speakers for slideshow presentation
• Printable handout with exercises
• Whiteboard and markers
• Index cards

Detailed Lesson Plan

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Welcoming and Setup: Greet students as they enter and ensure each has a seat.
• Activate Prior Knowledge: Ask students to discuss in pairs what plans they have for the weekend in English. This will help connect to their upcoming Spanish task.

2. Presentation (10 minutes)

• Introduction to the Verb "Ir":
  • Begin the slideshow presentation:
    • Slide 1: Title and Objectives
    • Slide 2: Introduction to "Ir" (to go) - Highlight its importance in everyday speech.
    • Slide 3: Conjugation of "Ir"
      • yo voy, tú vas, él/ella/usted va, nosotros/nosotras vamos, vosotros/vosotras vais, ellos/ellas/ustedes van
    • Slide 4: Structure "Ir + a + Infinitive" to express future plans
  • Examples:
    • Slide 5: "Voy a estudiar" (I am going to study)
    • Slide 6: "Vamos a ir al cine" (We are going to go to the movies)

3. Practice Activities (10 minutes)

• Writing Exercise:

  • Distribute handouts with simple future planning activities. Include three fill-in-the-blank sentences where students utilize "ir + a + infinitive".

• Listening Exercise:

  • Play a short audio clip of a native Spanish speaker describing weekend plans (pre-recorded text). Ask students to jot down key activities mentioned.

4. Interactive Speaking Activity (5 minutes)

• Pair Share:
  • Distribute index cards with different verbs (jugar, leer, visitar, comer, etc.). In pairs, students take turns constructing and speaking sentences about future plans using their assigned verb and "ir".
  • Example: "Voy a jugar al fútbol" (I am going to play soccer).

5. Reading Comprehension (3 minutes)

• Short Passage:
  • Project a simple paragraph on the board or slideshow where a character describes their weekend plans using "ir + a + infinitive". Students read quietly and answer a couple of questions like: "¿Qué va a hacer María el sábado?" (What is María going to do on Saturday?).

6. Conclusion and Assessment (2 minutes)

• Wrap-up Discussion:

  • Review key points about how to express future plans in Spanish.
  • Ask a few students to share aloud about their plans using "ir + a + infinitive".

• Exit Ticket:

  • As students leave, collect an index card where they have written one sentence using the structure they learned.

Differentiation Strategies

• For students needing additional support: Provide a list of common verbs in infinitive form and sentence starters to help them construct sentences.
• For advanced students: Encourage them to write a short paragraph describing multiple future activities.

Reflection for Next Steps

After class, review the exit tickets to gauge understanding and inform future lessons. Consider integrating cultural aspects (e.g., popular activities in Spanish-speaking countries) in upcoming classes to broaden students' global awareness.