Overview

This 2-day, 3-part ELA mini-unit engages 4th graders in mastering helping and linking verbs specifically focusing on how to form present perfect and future perfect tenses. Using an “I do, we do, you do” gradual release approach, students will understand the structure of these tenses, the role of past participles, and the rules governing their use. Activities are designed around 16 students, with differentiation strategies and extension suggestions to meet diverse learner needs.

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Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.1.B

• Explain the function of conjunctions, prepositions, and interjections in general and their function in particular sentences. (helps with understanding verb phrases).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.1.C

• Use verb tense to convey various times, sequences, states, and conditions.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.1.D

• Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.3.B

• Use the correct verb tense to match the action or state expressed.

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Day 1: Present Perfect Tense

I Can Statements

• I can identify helping verbs and main verbs in the present perfect tense.
• I can form present perfect tense using helping verbs and the past participle.
• I can explain rules for past participle endings.

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Success Criteria

• Correctly identify helping verbs "have" or "has" in sentences.
• Form sentences in the present perfect tense using "have/has" + past participle.
• Apply spelling rules to form past participles of regular verbs.

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Materials

• Whiteboard + markers
• Chart of helping/linking verbs
• Verb cards (helping verbs, regular verbs in base form)
• Worksheet for independent practice
• Anchor chart: Present Perfect formation with examples

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Lesson Breakdown (20 minutes)

1. I Do (Teacher Modeling)

Time: 7 minutes

• Introduce helping verbs: have, has. Write them on the board.
• Explain that present perfect tense uses have/has + past participle. Define past participle briefly.
• Show examples: "I have walked," "She has played."
• Write base verbs on board (walk, play) and model turning them into past participles (walked, played). Highlight -ed ending for regular verbs.
• Discuss any spelling adjustments for past participle (e.g., drop e + ed, double consonants).
• Summarize with anchor chart.

2. We Do (Guided Practice)

Time: 7 minutes

• Distribute verb cards. In pairs, students combine a helping verb and a main verb to form present perfect tense.
• Call on pairs to share sentences aloud, writing strong examples on the board.
• Correct and clarify as needed.
• Create 3-4 sentences as a class using different verbs and subjects.

3. You Do (Independent Practice)

Time: 6 minutes

• Hand out a worksheet with incomplete sentences requiring students to fill in with helping verbs and correct past participle forms.
• Example sentence frames: "He _____ (to jump) over the fence."
• Circulate to provide support, especially for students who struggle with spelling rules.

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Differentiation

• For struggling learners: Provide past participle word bank and visual spelling rules chart. Use sentence frames.
• For ELLs: Use gestures and visuals to demonstrate verb actions; pair with a fluent English speaker for "We Do" activity.
• For advanced learners: Challenge to identify irregular past participles (e.g., "has eaten," "have gone") and explain differences.

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Extension

• Write a short paragraph using at least five present perfect tense verbs correctly. Share with the class the next day.

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Day 2: Future Perfect Tense + Review Past Participles

I Can Statements

• I can explain how to form the future perfect tense using helping verbs.
• I can use "will have" + past participle correctly in sentences.
• I can identify and apply rules for past participles in future perfect verbs.

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Success Criteria

• Correctly form future perfect tense verbs.
• Use a variety of verbs in future perfect tense including irregular past participles.
• Demonstrate understanding through sentence writing and oral practice.

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Materials

• Whiteboard + markers
• Verb tense timeline visual (past, present, future, future perfect)
• Sentence cards for sorting (mixed tenses)
• Mini whiteboards or paper for students
• Anchor chart for Future Perfect

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Lesson Breakdown (20 minutes)

1. I Do (Teacher Modeling)

Time: 6 minutes

• Explain the future perfect tense uses: “will have” + past participle.
• Write example on board: "By tomorrow, I will have finished my homework."
• Connect to timeline visual to show action completed before a future time.
• Review past participle formation and irregular forms. Write several examples.

2. We Do (Guided Practice)

Time: 7 minutes

• Together, read sentence cards with mixed verb tenses. Sort those that use future perfect verbs.
• On mini whiteboards, students write future perfect sentences from base verbs you provide.
• Share and correct as needed. Ask students to orally explain the structure ("will have" + past participle).

3. You Do (Independent Practice)

Time: 7 minutes

• Students write 3 sentences predicting actions completed by a future time using future perfect tense.
• Provide sentence starters like: "By next week, I will have..."
• Collect for quick teacher check or peer sharing.

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Differentiation

• For students needing support: Use helping verb sentence strips and base verb strips to build correct sentences physically.
• For visual learners: Refer to the timeline frequently.
• For advanced learners: Include irregular past participles and have students explain spelling or usage rules.

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Extension

• Write a short story where characters describe what actions they will have completed at various future points.

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Assessment & Reflection

Exit Ticket (Day 2): Write one present perfect and one future perfect sentence correctly, underline helping verbs and past participles.

Teacher Reflection: After lessons, note which students need additional verb tense support or follow-up activities.

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This detailed plan ensures students understand helping verbs and linking verbs in the context of present and future perfect tenses aligned directly with Common Core standards, using age-appropriate scaffolds and engagement techniques.