Using the Present Continuous Tense English Grammar Primary 2 Third Term Lesson Notes Week 11

Subject:  English Studies 

Class: Basic 2 / Primary 2 / Year 2

Term: Third Term  / 3rd Term 

Week: Week 11

Topic:

Using the present continuous tense

Previous Knowledge: The pupils have previous knowledge of

Adjectives and adverbs usages in sentences

Behavioural  Objectives : At the end of the lesson, learners will be able to 

• Correctly use apostrophes in possessives.
• Apostrophes in possessives e.g. i. It is the boy’s toy ii. It is the boys’college.
• Using the present continuous tense

Instructional Materials 

1. Wall chart showing the rhyme.

2. Flash card showing the key words in the rhymes.

3. Approved course book.

Methods of Teaching 

• Role modelling
• Questions and Answers
• Explanation
• Discussion
• Recitation
• Imitation
• Story Telling
• Dramatization

Content: 

The present continuous tense (also known as the present progressive tense) is used to describe actions happening right now or around now, and for actions that are temporary or in progress. This tense is formed using the verb “to be” (am, is, are) and the present participle of a verb (verb ending in -ing).

Here’s a guide on how to use the present continuous tense, with some examples:

1. Forming the present continuous tense:

   • Positive sentences:
     • Subject + am/is/are + verb(-ing)
     • Examples:
       • I am reading a book. 📖
       • She is playing soccer. ⚽
       • They are watching a movie. 🎥
   • Negative sentences:
     • Subject + am/is/are + not + verb(-ing)
     • Examples:
       • I am not eating dinner. 🍽️
       • He is not studying. 📚
       • We are not swimming in the pool. 🏊
   • Questions:
     • Am/Is/Are + subject + verb(-ing)?
     • Examples:
       • Are you drawing? 🎨
       • Is she singing? 🎤
       • Are they dancing? 💃

2. When to use the present continuous tense:

   • For actions happening now:
     • Example: The cat is sleeping. 🐱
   • For actions happening around now (temporary actions):
     • Example: My brother is learning how to play the piano. 🎹
   • For future plans or arrangements:
     • Example: We are going to the park this afternoon. 🌳

3. Common time expressions with the present continuous:

   • Now: We are eating lunch now. 🍽️
   • At the moment: She is dancing at the moment. 💃
   • Today: They are visiting the museum today. 🖼️

Present continuous tense verbs describe what’s happening right now. The present continuous tense is formed with the subject plus the present particle form (-ing) of the main verb and the present continuous tense of the verb to be: am, is, are.

Present Continuous Tense 

Examples 

Oliver is running.

They are playing ball.

Daddy is driving now 

Mummy is cooking now 

She is sleeping now 

I am praying in the church 

We are playing football 

They are crying 

You are talking in the class 

The donkey is sleeping 

The teacher is jumping 

The verbs “is running” and “are playing” describe things happening right now, as we speak.

We call them present continuous tense verbs.

Class Activity Discussion about using the present continuous tense, along with answers to help you understand how to use it:

1. Q: What is the present continuous tense?

   • A: It is a way to talk about actions happening now or around now.

2. Q: How do you form the present continuous tense?

   • A: Use the verb “to be” (am, is, are) and add “-ing” to the action verb.

3. Q: What are the forms of “to be” in the present continuous tense?

   • A: “Am” (I am), “is” (he, she, it is), and “are” (we, you, they are).

4. Q: Can you give an example of the present continuous tense?

   • A: Yes! “I am drawing a picture.”

5. Q: How do you form a negative sentence in the present continuous tense?

   • A: Add “not” after the form of “to be.” Example: “She is not playing.”

6. Q: How do you form a question in the present continuous tense?

   • A: Start with “am,” “is,” or “are” followed by the subject and verb(-ing). Example: “Are you singing?”

7. Q: When do we use the present continuous tense?

   • A: We use it for actions happening now or for actions that are temporary.

8. Q: Can you use the present continuous tense for future plans?

   • A: Yes, you can! Example: “We are going to the park tomorrow.”

9. Q: What is the present continuous form of the verb “run” for “he”?

   • A: “He is running.”

10. Q: What is the present continuous form of the verb “write” for “I”?

    • A: “I am writing.”

11. Q: What is the present continuous form of the verb “swim” for “they”?

    • A: “They are swimming.”

12. Q: What is the present continuous form of the verb “sing” for “we”?

    • A: “We are singing.”

13. Q: How do you make “They are playing” negative?

    • A: “They are not playing.”

14. Q: How do you make “She is cooking” into a question?

    • A: “Is she cooking?”

15. Q: How do you use time words like “now” and “today” with the present continuous?

    • A: Add them to your sentence. Example: “I am eating lunch now.”

Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.

1. I ____ drawing a picture. a. am b. is c. are d. were

2. She ____ reading a book. a. is b. are c. was d. am

3. They ____ playing soccer. a. was b. were c. is d. are

4. He ____ watching TV. a. am b. were c. is d. are

5. We ____ eating lunch. a. are b. is c. am d. was

6. The cat ____ sleeping on the couch. a. were b. are c. is d. was

7. She ____ singing a song. a. is b. are c. were d. am

8. They ____ walking to school. a. are b. was c. is d. am

9. You ____ wearing a red shirt. a. is b. am c. are d. was

10. The dog ____ barking at the door. a. is b. are c. were d. am

11. I ____ building with blocks. a. are b. am c. is d. was

12. We ____ going to the park. a. is b. am c. was d. are

13. She ____ drawing a flower. a. are b. is c. am d. were

14. He ____ jumping on the trampoline. a. is b. are c. was d. were

15. They ____ dancing to music. a. is b. am c. are d. was

Exercise

Use the following in sentences 

1. Jumping 
2. Dancing 
3. Shouting 
4. Clapping 
5. Running 
6. Singing 
7. Writing 
8. Eating 
9. Cooking 
10. Sweeping 

1. Jumping: The kids are jumping on the trampoline in the backyard.

2. Dancing: We are dancing to our favorite song at the party.

3. Shouting: The crowd is shouting with excitement during the game.

4. Clapping: Everyone is clapping their hands to the music at the concert.

5. Running: He is running as fast as he can to catch the bus.

6. Singing: She is singing a beautiful song on stage.

7. Writing: The student is writing a story in his notebook.

8. Eating: We are eating lunch together at the picnic.

9. Cooking: My mom is cooking a delicious dinner in the kitchen.

10. Sweeping: My sister is sweeping the floor in the living room.

PRESENTATION

Teacher’s Activities

1. Guides pupils to identify present continuous tense in sentences.

2. Leads them to make sentences using present continuous tense.

Pupils’ Activities

1. Identify present continuous tense in sentences.

2. Use present continuous tense correctly in sentences.

 Evaluation 

Make four sentences using the present continuous tense.

1. We are playing football. 
2. We are marking the pupils’ scripts 
3. We are eating pizza now 
4. Daddy is Making a phone call 
5. Johnson is laughing 
6. The birds are singing 
7. The sun is shining 
8. The rain is drizzling 
9. The toilet is stinking 
10. You are sparkling 

Previous Lesson

Correct use of apostrophe in possessives

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Primary 2 Exam Questions – First Term, Second Term and Third Term Examination

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