Today vs. in general: 'son' and 'están'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can say how people are, today and in general.
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- Practising and revisiting vocabulary helps reinforce learning and improves communication skills.
- There are two verbs 'to be, being' in Spanish: 'ser' and 'estar'.
- From the verb ‘estar’, 'están' is 'they are' for location and temporary states.
- From the verb ‘ser’, 'son' is 'they are' for general traits.
- Adjectives agree with the gender and number of the noun.
Keywords
Están - 'they are' for location and temporary state, part of the verb 'estar'
Son - 'they are' for general traits, part of the verb 'ser'
Common misconception
There is only one way to say 'they are' in Spanish.
In Spanish, there are two verbs for 'to be, being': estar and ser. To say 'they are'with estar, we use 'están' for location and temporary states. To say 'they are' with ser, we use 'son' for general traits.
Teacher tip
As an extension to task B4, some pupils may like to create their own sentences using están, son, estamos and somos. This could be an individual or paired task so that pupils could use their knowledge of estar and ser and adjectival agreement.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the Spanish to the English.
to learn, learning
to eat, eating
to listen, listening
to play, playing
to practise, practising
to prepare, preparing
Q2.Which word means 'to wear, wearing'?
Q3.'__________ contentas hoy.' Which words best complete this sentence?
Q4.Order the words to say 'normally the adults are annoying and serious'.
Q5.'Los gatos están cansados pero tranquilos.' Translate this sentence into English.
Q6.'We are always active together.' Translate this sentence into Spanish.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the Spanish to the English.
I am (temporary state)
we are (temporary state)
they are (temporary state)
I am (permanent trait)
we are (permanent trait)
they are (permanent trait)
Q2.Which word means 'sentence'?
Q3.Fill in the gap. Esta tarde, las niñas __________ nerviosas porque tienen un examen.
Q4.Order the words to say 'we are always positive but today we are angry'.
Q5.'A veces mi hermano está tonto.' Translate this sentence into English.
Q6.'Today they are ill and sad.' Translate this sentence into Spanish.
To help you plan your 5 Spanish lesson on: Today vs. in general: 'son' and 'están', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 Spanish lesson on: Today vs. in general: 'son' and 'están', 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 Spanish lessons from the Me and others: plural 'estar' (for states) and 'ser' (for traits) unit, dive into the full primary Spanish curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.