Mastering the Simple Past Tense for Primary 4 Grammar Primary 4 First Term Lesson Notes Week 8

Week 8: Identifying and Using Simple Past Tense

Subject: English Grammar
Class: Primary 4
Term: First Term
Week: 8
Age: 9 years

Topic: Identifying and Using Simple Past Tense
Sub-topic: Understanding and applying the simple past tense in sentences.
Duration: 1 week


Behavioural Objectives:

  • Pupils will identify verbs in the simple past tense.
  • Pupils will use the simple past tense correctly in sentences.
  • Pupils will understand the difference between present and past tense.

Key Words:

  • Simple past tense
  • Verbs
  • Regular verbs
  • Irregular verbs
  • Sentence

Set Induction:

Begin with a discussion on how we talk about things that happened in the past. Use examples from everyday life to illustrate the concept.

Entry Behaviour:

Pupils should already have a basic understanding of verbs and present tense sentences.

Learning Resources and Materials:

  • Grammar textbooks
  • Simple past tense worksheets
  • Flashcards with verbs
  • Whiteboard and markers

Building Background / Connection to Prior Knowledge:

Connect the simple past tense to verbs and sentences learned in previous weeks. Discuss how the simple past tense is used to talk about actions that have already happened.

Embedded Core Skills:

  • Verb usage
  • Sentence construction
  • Understanding of time and tense

Learning Materials:

  • Worksheets on simple past tense
  • Flashcards with regular and irregular verbs
  • Examples of sentences in past tense

Reference Books:

  • Lagos State Scheme of Work
  • Primary 4 English Language textbooks

Instructional Materials:

  • Grammar textbooks
  • Worksheets
  • Flashcards

Content:

  1. Introduction to Simple Past Tense:
    • Definition: The simple past tense is used to talk about actions that were completed in the past.
    • Regular Verbs: Add “-ed” to the base form (e.g., “walk” becomes “walked”).
    • Irregular Verbs: Do not follow a set pattern (e.g., “go” becomes “went”).
  2. Examples of Regular Verbs:
    • Walked, jumped, played, talked, watched
  3. Examples of Irregular Verbs:
    • Went, saw, did, ate, took
  4. Sentence Construction:
    • Affirmative: She played soccer yesterday.
    • Negative: He did not go to school last week.
    • Interrogative: Did you see the movie?

Evaluation:

  • Fill-in-the-Blank Questions:
    1. She __________ (walk) to the park yesterday. (a) walks, (b) walked, (c) walking, (d) walk
    2. They __________ (eat) dinner last night. (a) eats, (b) ate, (c) eating, (d) eat
    3. He __________ (not go) to the store. (a) not went, (b) did not go, (c) did not went, (d) goes not
    4. Did you __________ (see) the new game? (a) sees, (b) see, (c) seeing, (d) saw
    5. We __________ (play) football on Saturday. (a) plays, (b) played, (c) playing, (d) play
    6. She __________ (finish) her project last week. (a) finishes, (b) finished, (c) finishing, (d) finish
    7. They __________ (not like) the movie yesterday. (a) did not like, (b) do not like, (c) did not likes, (d) does not like
    8. He __________ (visit) his friend last weekend. (a) visits, (b) visited, (c) visiting, (d) visit
    9. Did we __________ (make) the right decision? (a) made, (b) makes, (c) making, (d) make
    10. She __________ (buy) a new dress for the party. (a) buys, (b) bought, (c) buying, (d) buy
    11. They __________ (not watch) the movie on Friday. (a) did not watch, (b) do not watch, (c) did not watched, (d) watches not
    12. He __________ (leave) the house early this morning. (a) leaves, (b) leaving, (c) left, (d) leave
    13. Did you __________ (meet) her at the event? (a) met, (b) meet, (c) meeting, (d) meets
    14. We __________ (study) for the exam last night. (a) studies, (b) studied, (c) studying, (d) study
    15. She __________ (not come) to the party yesterday. (a) did not come, (b) does not come, (c) did not comes, (d) coming

More Explanation 

  1. What is the simple past tense used for?
    • The simple past tense is used to describe actions or events that happened and were completed in the past.
  2. How do you form the past tense of regular verbs?
    • For regular verbs, add -ed to the base form of the verb (e.g., “walk” becomes “walked,” “play” becomes “played”).
  3. Can you give examples of irregular verbs?
    • Examples of irregular verbs include:
      • GoWent
      • EatAte
      • SeeSaw
      • BuyBought
  4. How do you form a negative sentence in the past tense?
    • Use did not (didn’t) followed by the base form of the verb (e.g., “I did not (didn’t) go,” “They did not (didn’t) see”).
  5. How do you ask a question in the past tense?
    • Form a question by using did followed by the subject and the base form of the verb (e.g., “Did you go to the store?” “Did they eat dinner?”).

Class Activity Discussion:

  • FAQs with Answers:
    1. What is the simple past tense?
      • It is used to describe actions that happened and were completed in the past.
    2. How do you form the simple past tense of regular verbs?
      • Add “-ed” to the base form of the verb.
    3. What are some examples of irregular verbs in the past tense?
      • Examples include “go” (went), “see” (saw), “eat” (ate).
    4. How do you make a negative sentence in the past tense?
      • Use “did not” + base form of the verb.
    5. How do you ask a question in the past tense?
      • Use “Did” + subject + base form of the verb.

Presentation:

  • Step 1: Revise the previous topic on sentence structures.
  • Step 2: Introduce the simple past tense, explaining regular and irregular verbs.
  • Step 3: Allow pupils to practice by creating sentences in the past tense and provide feedback.

Teacher’s Activities:

  • Explain the concept of the simple past tense.
  • Provide examples and practice exercises.
  • Assist pupils in forming sentences and answering questions.

Learners’ Activities:

  • Complete exercises on simple past tense.
  • Create sentences using verbs in the past tense.
  • Participate in discussions and ask questions.

Assessment:

  • Review pupils’ answers to the exercises and provide feedback.
  • Assess their ability to use the simple past tense in sentences.

Evaluation Questions:

  • What is the simple past tense used for?
  • How do you form the past tense of regular verbs?
  • Can you give examples of irregular verbs?
  • How do you form a negative sentence in the past tense?
  • How do you ask a question in the past tense?

Conclusion:

  • The teacher will go around to mark and review the pupils’ work on the simple past tense and provide necessary corrections.

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