Mastering the Present Continuous Tense: Understanding Actions Happening Now English Grammar JSS 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 5

Lesson Plan: The Present Continuous Tense

Subject: English Grammar
Class: JSS 2
Term: First Term
Week: 5
Age: 12-13 years
Topic: The Present Continuous Tense
Sub-topic: Understanding and Using the Present Continuous Tense
Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioral Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define the present continuous tense.
2. Identify sentences written in the present continuous tense.
3. Form sentences using the present continuous tense.
4. Differentiate between the present continuous tense and the simple present tense.

Keywords: Present continuous, Verb, Tense, Action, Ongoing
Set Induction: Begin the lesson by performing a simple action, such as writing on the board or walking around the classroom, while saying aloud, “I am writing on the board” or “I am walking.” Ask the students to describe what you are doing. Use their responses to introduce the present continuous tense.

Entry Behavior: Students have learned about simple present tense and can form basic sentences.

Learning Resources and Materials:

1. Whiteboard and markers
2. Flashcards with verbs
3. Textbooks
4. Pictures or illustrations showing actions

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:
Review the simple present tense by asking students to share sentences about their daily routines. Discuss how these actions differ when they are happening at the moment, leading into the present continuous tense.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Critical thinking
• Communication
• Literacy

Learning Materials:

• Flashcards with verbs and present continuous sentences
• Sentence examples from students’ textbooks
• Writing materials

Reference Books:

• English Grammar Textbook for JSS 2
• Lagos State Scheme of Work

Instructional Materials:

• Flashcards with verbs in the present continuous tense
• Sentence examples on chart papers

Content (with Examples)

Present Continuous Tense:

• Describes actions happening right now or around the current time.
  Structure: Subject + am/is/are + verb (base form + -ing)
  Examples: “She is writing a letter.” “They are playing football.”

Formation Rules:

1. Subject + am/is/are + verb (base + ing)
   Examples:
   • I am reading a book.
   • He is eating lunch.
   • We are studying for the test.
2. Negative Form:
   • Subject + am/is/are + not + verb (base + ing)
     Examples:
   • I am not reading a book.
   • He is not eating lunch.
   • We are not studying for the test.
3. Question Form:
   • Am/Is/Are + subject + verb (base + ing)?
     Examples:
   • Are you reading a book?
   • Is he eating lunch?
   • Are they studying for the test?

Evaluation Questions

1. She _______ (a. is writing, b. writes, c. wrote, d. write) a letter right now.
2. They _______ (a. are playing, b. play, c. played, d. playing) football at the moment.
3. He _______ (a. is watching, b. watches, c. watched, d. watching) TV now.
4. We _______ (a. are studying, b. study, c. studied, d. studying) for the exam at the moment.
5. I _______ (a. am reading, b. read, c. read, d. reading) a book currently.
6. The children _______ (a. are singing, b. sing, c. sang, d. singing) a song now.
7. She _______ (a. is dancing, b. dances, c. danced, d. dancing) gracefully at the moment.
8. They _______ (a. are discussing, b. discuss, c. discussed, d. discussing) the project now.
9. He _______ (a. is cooking, b. cooks, c. cooked, d. cooking) dinner currently.
10. The teacher _______ (a. is teaching, b. teaches, c. taught, d. teaching) a lesson now.
11. We _______ (a. are cleaning, b. clean, c. cleaned, d. cleaning) the classroom at the moment.
12. She _______ (a. is listening, b. listens, c. listened, d. listening) to music now.
13. He _______ (a. is running, b. runs, c. ran, d. running) in the park currently.
14. They _______ (a. are shopping, b. shop, c. shopped, d. shopping) at the mall now.
15. The boy _______ (a. is drawing, b. draws, c. drew, d. drawing) a picture at the moment.

Class Activity Discussion

1. What is the present continuous tense?
   The present continuous tense describes actions happening right now or around the current time.
2. How do you form the present continuous tense?
   Subject + am/is/are + verb (base + ing).
3. Give an example of a sentence in the present continuous tense.
   Example: She is writing a letter.
4. What is the negative form of the present continuous tense?
   Subject + am/is/are + not + verb (base + ing).
5. Give an example of a negative sentence in the present continuous tense.
   Example: He is not eating lunch.
6. How do you form a question in the present continuous tense?
   Am/Is/Are + subject + verb (base + ing)?
7. Give an example of a question in the present continuous tense.
   Example: Are you reading a book?
8. What is the difference between the simple present tense and the present continuous tense?
   The simple present tense describes habitual actions, while the present continuous tense describes actions happening right now.
9. Can you use the present continuous tense to describe future actions?
   Yes, it can describe planned future actions (e.g., I am meeting him tomorrow).
10. Is “He is going to the market” in the present continuous tense?
    Yes, it describes an action happening right now.
11. How do you conjugate the verb “to dance” in the present continuous tense?
    Example: He is dancing.
12. Can the present continuous tense be used with stative verbs?
    No, stative verbs usually do not use the present continuous tense.
13. What is the auxiliary verb in the present continuous tense?
    The auxiliary verbs are “am,” “is,” and “are.”
14. Is “We are not playing” a correct sentence in the present continuous tense?
    Yes, it is a correct negative sentence.
15. What is the present continuous tense used for?
    It is used to describe actions happening right now or around the current time.

Presentation Steps

1. Step 1: Revising the Previous Topic
   • Briefly review the simple present tense, emphasizing its use for habitual actions.
2. Step 2: Introducing the New Topic
   • Introduce the present continuous tense by explaining its structure and use for actions happening now. Provide several examples.
3. Step 3: Allowing Pupils to Contribute and Correcting Them as Necessary
   • Engage students in creating sentences using the present continuous tense. Let them work in pairs to describe ongoing activities, then share with the class for correction and discussion.

Teacher’s Activities

• Explain the present continuous tense and demonstrate how to form it.
• Provide example sentences and guide students in identifying the tense.
• Facilitate practice activities, offering feedback and corrections.

Learners’ Activities

• Participate in identifying sentences in the present continuous tense.
• Work in pairs to create and share sentences.
• Ask questions and practice forming sentences in the present continuous tense.

Assessment

• Provide a worksheet with sentences requiring students to fill in the blanks with the correct form of verbs in the present continuous tense.
• Review and correct their work in class.

10 Evaluation Questions

1. Define the present continuous tense.
2. How do you form the present continuous tense?
3. Write a sentence in the present continuous tense.
4. What is the negative form of the present continuous tense?
5. Write a negative sentence using the present continuous tense.
6. How do you form a question in the present continuous tense?
7. Give an example of a sentence that shows an action happening right now.
8. What is the auxiliary verb used in the present continuous tense?
9. Differentiate between the present continuous and simple present tense.
10. Is “They are going to school” in the present continuous tense? Explain.

Conclusion

• Summarize the key points about the present continuous tense, including its structure and use.
• Mark students’ exercises, provide feedback, and assign additional practice if needed.

More Useful Links

• First Term Mid Term Test English Grammar JSS 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 7
• Using Conjunctions in Sentences English Grammar JSS 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 8
• Making and Responding Requests (Sentence Building) with Modal Auxiliaries English Grammar JSS 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 9