Express with Verbs

Overview

Subject Area: Languages
Grade Level: 7th Grade
Lesson Duration: 45 Minutes
US Education Standards: World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages (ACTFL). Focus on Presentational Communication and Comparisons.

Objectives

1. Understand basic regular verb conjugation in the present tense in Spanish.
2. Apply conjugation rules to create correct verb forms.
3. Express basic ideas using Spanish verbs through both spoken and written exercises.

Materials

• Whiteboard and markers
• Index cards with verbs written in Spanish (one verb per card)
• Worksheet with common -ar, -er, -ir verbs
• Projector for showing video clips
• Speaker for audio exercises

Learning Activities

Introduction (5 Minutes)

1. Greet the Class:

   • Begin with a brief introduction: "¡Hola Clase! Hoy vamos a aprender sobre los verbos en español."

2. Discussion Starter:

   • Ask the class, "¿Qué es un verbo?"
   • Allow students to share ideas, then explain that verbs are action words, essential for speaking and understanding any language.

Presentation (10 Minutes)

3. Explanation of Verb Conjugation:

   • Using the whiteboard, write down an example of an -ar verb ("hablar") and demonstrate its conjugation.
     • Yo hablo
     • Tú hablas
     • Él/Ella/Usted habla
     • Nosotros/Nosotras hablamos
     • Vosotros/Vosotras habláis
     • Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes hablan
   • Explain the importance of matching the verb ending with the subject pronoun.

4. Interactive Video:

   • Show a short, engaging video that demonstrates the usage of regular verbs in various contexts.

Guided Practice (15 Minutes)

5. Small Group Conjugation Activity:

   • Divide the class into groups of three.
   • Give each group a set of index cards with different verbs (mix of -ar, -er, -ir).
   • Each group will select a card, conjugate the verb, and create a simple sentence with each form.

6. Teacher Walk-Through:

   • Walk around and offer guidance, ensuring students follow the conjugation rules correctly.

Practice and Production (10 Minutes)

7. Individual Written Exercise:

   • Hand out the worksheet with a list of common verbs.
   • Ask students to conjugate these verbs independently, writing one example sentence for each conjugated form.

8. Oral Sharing:

   • Invite students to share their sentences with the class.
   • Provide feedback and encourage peer review.

Conclusion (5 Minutes)

9. Review & Essential Questions:

   • Revisit the day's objectives and ask, “Why do you think verbs are important in language?”
   • Recap the different verb endings and point out a few key differences between irregular and regular verbs in Spanish, which will be covered in upcoming lessons.

10. Exit Ticket:

    • Ask each student to write down one new thing they've learned about Spanish verbs and one question they still have.

Differentiation

• For Advanced Students: Challenge them with a couple of irregular verbs to conjugate.
• For Struggling Students: Provide a simplified chart of conjugated forms to guide them during activities.

Assessment

• Formative: Participation in group activity, completion and accuracy on the worksheet.
• Summative: Evaluate students’ ability to conjugate and use verbs in subsequent quizzes or written assignments.

Extension Activity

• Creative Writing: Encourage students to write a short story or dialogue utilizing at least five different verbs, inviting creativity in how they apply verb forms and vocabulary.

This lesson plan not only covers the essential aspects of verb conjugation in Spanish but also engages students through various multimedia and hands-on activities to ensure a comprehensive understanding and application of the language skills.