My tool box

Developed by: Eliza Kydyrova

Group Grammar

Purpose of these activities: To increase students` interactivity in a group, encourage them to use Past Simple through games and activities

Objective: Students practice the simple past tense, use in their speech.

Materials: board, marker or chalk, pieces of paper.

Level: elementary.

Time: 45 minutes.

Modification: These activities can be modified up to the level of students or can be replaced be another grammar tense, also due to the purpose of the lesson can be changed some procedures.

Steps or procedure:

• Model sentences about your weekend
• Students write their sentences independently
• Students put unique sentences together in groups
• Group with the most correct sentences wins

Model Sentences:

I did laundry.

I went for a walk.

I went shopping.

I cooked dinner for my family.

I went to a party.

I traveled to a nearby city.

Students Write Independently.

• Give students a few minutes to write their own sentences
• Encourage students to use as many different verbs as possible
• Mistakes are acceptable at this stage.

Students Work in Groups.

• Have students get together in groups and share their sentences
• At this time, students can correct each other’s mistakes
• Students then create a list of all their weekend activities.

Twist: No Repeat Verbs!

Silvia had a headache.

Patricia had some chips. (the word had should be replaced with other synonym by students. ). Patricia ate some chips.

Group with the most correct sentences wins!

What’s the best way to correct student sentences for this game?

• Teacher checks each group’s sentences as they work on other activities
• Students correct themselves
• Students correct other groups’ sentences
• Students correct all sentences in an open class.

These resources are adapted from:

americanenglishwebinars.com

americanenglish.state.gov

facebook.com/AmericanEnglishatState

facebook.com/AmericanEnglishforEducators.