English lesson plan for Grade 1 Primary: PAST OF THE VERB TO BE
Your lesson plan at a glance
A clear path to bring “PAST OF THE VERB TO BE” into your classroom and adapt it to your students’ needs.
View teaching context, adaptations and materials
This ready-to-use lesson plan for grade 1 students is built around the topic “PAST OF THE VERB TO BE”. It is organized so you can read it quickly, adapt it to your group and download it for the classroom.
The sequence follows project-based learning with guided practice. Students practice and use the target language in meaningful, real-life situations. Focused practice of the target language through guided, student-centered activities.
Assessment is formative: observe participation and oral production, review written work and use quick checks for understanding. The Word version is editable so you can adjust activities, timing and materials.
Lesson plan overview
Start with the key elements of the plan. The full sequence follows below.
General details and purpose
Grade 1 · Primary.
Purpose: Students practice and use the target language in meaningful, real-life situations.
Methodology: Project-based learning with guided practice
Focus and structure
Focused practice of the target language through guided, student-centered activities.
Learning outcomes
Students use the target language to speak, listen, read and write about the topic with growing independence.
Articulating axes and standards
Reading, writing, listening and speaking in context.
Final product
A short group presentation or written product that shows the new language in use.
Formative assessment
View criteria and evidence
Observe participation and oral production, review written work and use quick checks for understanding.
Materials
View full list
Classroom board, student notebooks, flashcards, printed worksheets and everyday classroom objects.
Adaptations for your class
Offer visual supports, sentence frames, peer partners and extra practice time for students who need it.
Full lesson plan
The complete sequence with activities, timing, resources and evidence of learning.
Educational Project Plan: PAST OF THE VERB TO BE
Academic Grade: 1st Grade (Primary)
Main Issue: Introducing the past tense of the verb to be; helping students distinguish it from the present tense using familiar vocabulary.
Scenario: Classroom
Methodology: Problem-Based Learning (PBL)
Articulating Axis: Inclusion
Table 1: PBL Phases and Activities
Phase | Time | Activities | Objectives & Adaptations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Present | 10 min | Teacher poses a reflection question:<br>“Have you ever told someone what you did yesterday?”<br>Show pictures of children doing activities today versus yesterday. | Stimulate curiosity about past and present actions. Use simple language and visual aids for inclusion. | Use diverse images representing children from different backgrounds. |
2. Collect (Prior Knowledge) | 10 min | Group discussion:<br>“What words do we use to talk about now? What about yesterday?”<br>Students share familiar words like am, is, are. | Elicit students' understanding of to be in present tense. Connect to their daily language. | Use sentence strips with familiar vocabulary, visual cues, and gestures for inclusivity. |
3. Formulate (Define the Problem) | 10 min | Scenario presentation:<br>“Imagine you have a time machine. You can go back to yesterday. How would you tell someone what you were doing?”<br>Question: “How do we talk about what we were doing?” | Introduce the problem: How to talk about past actions using was and were. | Present in simple language, with examples tailored to students’ experiences. |
4. Organize (Teams & Strategies) | 10 min | Divide students into small, diverse teams.<br>Assign roles: speaker, writer, artist.<br>Provide materials: pictures, flashcards, words. | Foster collaboration, inclusion, and peer learning. | Ensure all students participate and are supported. Use visual and tactile materials. |
5. Build (Execute Strategies) | 20 min | Activity 1: Story Creation<br>Students create short stories about their yesterday, using pictures and words.<br>Activity 2: Verb Matching Game<br>Match pictures of past actions with was/were sentences. | Practice using was/were in context, connecting to vocabulary they know. | Use visual aids and sentence starters for support. Adapt for students with diverse needs. |
6. Verify and Analyze | 10 min | Classroom discussion:<br>“Can you find the was and were in your stories?”<br>Peer review: Students read their stories aloud, classmates give feedback. | Reinforce correct usage, check understanding, provide corrective feedback. | Encourage peer support, respect, and patience. Use positive reinforcement. |
7. Share (Socialize & Assess) | 10 min | Showcase:<br>Students share their stories with the class.<br>Reflective questions: “What did you learn about talking about yesterday?” | Assess comprehension, promote confidence, and celebrate learning. | Use inclusive language, ensure all students are heard, and adapt sharing methods. |
Educational Principles & Adaptations:
- Inclusion: Activities are designed to be multisensory—visuals, gestures, and oral language—to accommodate diverse learners, including those with special needs.
- Language Support: Use simplified language, visual aids, and peer support to ensure understanding.
- Active Engagement: Hands-on activities and teamwork foster motivation and participation.
- Assessment: Continuous formative assessment through peer feedback and teacher observation.
Summary of Key Activities:
Activity | Purpose | Materials | Adaptation for Inclusion |
|---|---|---|---|
Reflection question | Stimulate curiosity | Pictures, questions | Visual prompts, gestures |
Vocabulary sharing | Build prior knowledge | Sentence strips, flashcards | Visual aids, peer support |
Story creation | Practice past tense | Photos, story templates | Partner or group work, scaffolding |
Matching game | Reinforce form | Picture cards, sentence strips | Multiple modes of response |
Sharing stories | Social learning | Student stories, drawings | Supportive environment, adaptations as needed |
This comprehensive PBL-based project encourages active participation, peer collaboration, and inclusive practices, making the introduction of the past tense of to be engaging and accessible for all 1st-grade students.
Before you download
Overview, purpose and focus
- Students practice and use the target language in meaningful, real-life situations.
- Focused practice of the target language through guided, student-centered activities.
Activities, product and assessment
- Classroom board, student notebooks, flashcards, printed worksheets and everyday classroom objects.
- A short group presentation or written product that shows the new language in use.
Your material is ready to download
Choose Word or PDF from one place.
Frequently asked questions about this lesson plan
Which grade is this lesson plan designed for?
It is designed for Grade 1. You can adjust the language level and timing to fit your group.
What methodology does the plan use?
It uses project-based learning with guided practice, with clear activities, evidence of learning and formative checks.
Can I edit and print the plan?
Yes. The Word version is editable and the PDF is ready to print. Adapt activities, materials and timing to your students.
Does it include materials and assessment?
Yes. The plan lists suggested materials, formative checks and a final product so you can plan the whole lesson.
