Present Continuous Tense Structure English Grammar JSS 1 Second Term Lesson Notes Week 4
Subject: English Grammar
Class: JSS 1
Term: Second Term
Week: 4
Age (in years): 12-14
Topic: The Present Continuous Tense
Sub-topic: Formation and Use of the Present Continuous Tense
Duration: 40 minutes
Behavioural Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
- Define the present continuous tense.
- Identify sentences in the present continuous tense.
- Form sentences in the present continuous tense correctly.
- Use the present continuous tense to describe actions happening now.
Keywords:
Tense, Present Continuous, Action, Now, Verb, Auxiliary Verb, Subject, Main Verb, “ing” form, Ongoing.
Set Induction:
Begin by asking students to describe what they are doing at that moment. For example:
- “What are you doing right now?”
- “Can anyone tell me what they were doing just before this lesson?”
These questions will guide the students into thinking about actions that are happening in the present moment, which is exactly what the present continuous tense expresses.
Entry Behaviour:
Students should have a basic understanding of the present simple tense, which will help them understand the distinction between actions that happen regularly and those that are happening now (present continuous).
Learning Resources and Materials:
- Whiteboard and markers
- Flashcards with examples of sentences in the present continuous tense
- Worksheets for practice
- Projector (optional for visual aids)
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:
The teacher will quickly review the present simple tense from the previous week to show the difference between actions that happen regularly (present simple) and actions that are happening right now (present continuous).
Embedded Core Skills:
- Critical Thinking: Identifying when to use the present continuous tense in sentences.
- Communication: Expressing present ongoing actions correctly.
- Collaboration: Practicing sentence formation and correction in groups.
Learning Materials:
- Lagos State Scheme of Work for JSS 1 (English Grammar)
- Teacher’s Guide on Tenses (if available)
Reference Books:
- Lagos State Scheme of Work for Junior Secondary Schools (English Language)
- Oxford English Grammar Course by Michael Swan
Instructional Materials:
- Flashcards with examples of present continuous sentences
- Worksheets for practice on forming present continuous sentences
Content:
- Definition of the Present Continuous Tense:
- The present continuous tense is used to describe actions that are happening at the moment of speaking. It shows an action that is ongoing.
- Formation of the Present Continuous Tense:
- It is formed by using the correct form of the auxiliary verb “to be” (am, is, are) + the main verb + -ing (the gerund form).
- Example:
- I am speaking to you.
- She is reading this.
- They are playing soccer.
- Examples of Present Continuous Tense:
- I am eating breakfast right now.
- He is writing a letter.
- We are studying for the test.
- They are watching TV.
- She is singing a song.
Evaluation Questions:
- The present continuous tense is used for an action that is ________.
a) finished
b) happening now
c) going to happen
d) happening tomorrow - “She ________ reading a book.”
a) is
b) am
c) are
d) was - “I ________ eating lunch right now.”
a) is
b) am
c) are
d) was - “They ________ playing basketball now.”
a) is
b) am
c) are
d) were - “We ________ not studying at the moment.”
a) is
b) are
c) am
d) were - “I ________ speaking to you right now.”
a) is
b) am
c) are
d) were - “The children ________ sleeping in the room.”
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) was - “He ________ running in the park now.”
a) am
b) are
c) is
d) was - “We ________ not watching the movie.”
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) was - “I ________ dancing to the music.”
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) were - “She ________ cooking dinner.”
a) is
b) am
c) are
d) was - “They ________ traveling to Lagos now.”
a) are
b) am
c) is
d) were - “We ________ studying for our exams.”
a) are
b) am
c) is
d) was - “He ________ not working today.”
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) was - “I ________ playing with my friends right now.”
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) was
Class Activity Discussion (FAQs):
- What is the present continuous tense used for?
- It is used to describe actions that are happening at the moment of speaking.
- What auxiliary verbs are used with the present continuous tense?
- Am, is, are are used as auxiliary verbs with the present continuous tense.
- How do we form the present continuous tense?
- We form it by using the correct form of “to be” (am, is, are) + the main verb + -ing.
- Can we use the present continuous tense to talk about future actions?
- Yes, the present continuous can also be used for planned future actions (e.g., “I am traveling tomorrow”).
- What is the difference between the present simple and the present continuous?
- The present simple is used for regular actions or facts, while the present continuous is used for actions happening now or ongoing.
- What happens to the verb when we use the present continuous tense?
- The verb takes the -ing form (e.g., “play” becomes “playing,” “write” becomes “writing”).
- Can we use the present continuous tense for actions that are completed?
- No, it is only used for actions that are happening right now or around the present time.
- What is an example of a negative sentence in the present continuous tense?
- “I am not watching TV.”
- How do we ask a question in the present continuous tense?
- We invert the subject and the auxiliary verb (e.g., “Are you reading?” or “Is she playing?”).
- Can we use the present continuous with stative verbs?
- No, stative verbs (like “know,” “believe”) are generally not used in the present continuous tense.
- What is the form of the verb “to be” when the subject is “I”?
- The form of “to be” is “am” (e.g., “I am singing”).
- Can the present continuous tense describe actions happening outside the classroom?
- Yes, it can describe any action happening at the moment, anywhere.
- Is the present continuous tense used only for actions happening physically?
- No, it can also be used for mental actions or processes (e.g., “I am thinking about my homework”).
- How do we form negative sentences in the present continuous tense?
- We add not after the auxiliary verb (e.g., “He is not eating”).
- What is an example of a sentence in the present continuous tense?
- “They are studying for their exams.”
Teacher’s Activities:
- Greet the students and review the previous lesson on the simple present tense.
- Introduce the present continuous tense by explaining its formation and providing examples.
- Demonstrate with flashcards and write examples on the board.
- Guide the students through the evaluation questions and class activity discussion.
- Provide correction and feedback as students practice the present continuous tense.
Learners’ Activities:
- Participate in the class discussion and ask questions.
- Complete the fill-in-the-blank exercises on the board or worksheets.
- Form their own sentences using the present continuous tense.
- Answer questions and participate in group activities.
Assessment (Evaluation):
Provide 10 short-answer questions for students to write sentences using the present continuous tense. The teacher will review and give feedback.
Conclusion:
The teacher will check the students’ work, provide feedback, and summarize the lesson. The class will be encouraged to practice using the present continuous tense in daily conversations.
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