Simple present, past and future tense
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can recognise the simple present, simple past and simple future tense in a range of regular and irregular verbs.
Key learning points
- The verb carries the tense of a sentence.
- Sentences can be formed in the first, second or third person.
- First person is the I / we perspective.
- Second person is the you singular / you plural perspective.
- Third person is the he / she / it / they perspective.
Keywords
Verb - a doing, being or having word
Tense - tells the reader when something happens
Perspective - point of view
Simple tense - a tense that does not make use of an auxiliary verb in addition to the main verb
Auxiliary verb - the helping verb that is always paired with the main verb
Common misconception
Pupils may think that all verbs are formed the same.
Some verbs in English are irregular like 'be', 'say', 'come', 'bring', 'catch', 'choose', 'do', 'drink', 'eat', 'find', 'keep' and 'leave'.
Teacher tip
Use hand gestures for past, present and future to help pupils to develop a secure understanding of the different tenses.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the word class to the correct definition.
Q2.Select the verbs.
Q3.Match the following word types with the correct example.
Q4.Identify the plural nouns.
Q5.What is the past tense of the verb 'go'?
Q6.Identify the verb in this sentence: 'Give me the pencil.'
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word in a sentence helps you know which tense the sentence is written in?
Q2.Select the sentence that makes sense.
Q3.Match the tense with the correct explanation.
Q4.Select the sentence written in the present tense.
Q5.Identify the past tense form of the verb ‘play’.
Q6.What is the auxiliary verb in this simple future tense sentence? 'We will take the bus.'
To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Simple present, past and future tense, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Simple present, past and future tense, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the Tense forms: simple, progressive and perfect unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.