Lesson Plan | Traditional Methodology | Imperative

Objectives

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to provide students with a clear and detailed understanding of the use of the imperative in English, addressing its various applications. It is essential for students to know how to identify and use the imperative correctly as this grammatical structure is widely used in everyday situations and in different types of communication. This stage serves as a foundation for developing the skills needed to recognize and apply the imperative in different contexts.

Main Objectives

1. Recognize the use of the imperative in English in different contexts.

2. Understand how the imperative is used to give orders, instructions, make requests, and offer advice.

3. Apply knowledge of the imperative in constructing sentences and dialogues.

Introduction

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to introduce the lesson topic clearly and engagingly, connecting the use of the imperative with everyday situations that are familiar to students. This will help to contextualize the content and make learning more relevant and interesting for them.

Context

To start the lesson, explain to the students that the imperative is a very commonly used verbal form in daily life. It is used to give orders, instructions, make requests, and even to give advice. Practical examples include situations like when a teacher asks for silence in the class ('Be quiet!') or when someone gives directions to reach a place ('Turn right at the corner.').

Curiosities

An interesting fact is that the imperative in English is one of the few verbal forms that does not change according to the subject. This means that the sentence 'Sit down!' applies to both one person and a group of people, simplifying communication in many contexts.

Development

Duration: (40 - 50 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to provide a detailed and practical explanation of the use of the imperative in English. By addressing formation, usage, variations, and contexts of the imperative, students will be able to understand and effectively apply this grammatical structure. The resolution of practical questions will help consolidate understanding and practice of the content.

Covered Topics

1. Definition and Use of the Imperative: Explain that the imperative is used to give orders, instructions, make requests, and advice. Highlight that it is a direct verbal form that does not change with the subject. 2. Formation of the Imperative: Detail how to form imperative sentences, which usually start with the verb in the base form (infinitive without 'to'). Examples: 'Close the door.' (Close the door), 'Please, sit down.' (Please, sit down). 3. Use of 'Please': Explain the importance of using 'please' to make the imperative more polite and less authoritative. Exemplify with sentences with and without 'please' to show the difference in tone. 4. Negative Imperative: Show how to make negative instructions, which are formed with 'do not' or 'don't' followed by the verb in the base form. Examples: 'Don't talk.' (Don't speak), 'Do not touch.' (Do not touch). 5. Common Contexts: Provide examples of contexts where the imperative is common, such as recipes, instruction manuals, signage, and oral commands in the classroom. Give practical examples like 'Stir the mixture.' (Stir the mixture) in recipes or 'Turn left.' (Turn left) in directions.

Classroom Questions

1. Create three imperative sentences to give orders to a friend. 2. Transform the following affirmative sentences into negative ones: 'Open the window.', 'Finish your homework.', 'Call me later.' 3. Write two situations in which you would use the imperative to give advice and provide examples.

Questions Discussion

Duration: (20 - 25 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to review and consolidate students' understanding of the use of the imperative in English. Through discussion of the resolved questions, the teacher can identify and correct possible mistakes, clarify doubts, and reinforce learning. Student engagement with additional questions and reflections helps deepen understanding of the topic and practice the application of the imperative in different contexts.

Discussion

• For the imperative sentences created by the students, discuss the different ways they used to give orders to a friend. Make sure the sentences follow the correct imperative structure, starting with the verb in base form. Expected examples: 'Close the door.', 'Turn off the lights.', 'Meet me at the park.'

• When transforming affirmative sentences into negatives, explain that it is necessary to add 'do not' or 'don't' before the verb. Review students' responses and correct any mistakes. Expected answers are: 'Do not open the window.' or 'Don't open the window.', 'Do not finish your homework.' or 'Don't finish your homework.', 'Do not call me later.' or 'Don't call me later.'

• For the advice situations, ask students to share their sentences and discuss the importance of using the imperative in advising contexts. Expected examples may include: 'Take your time when making decisions.', 'Don't rush into things.', 'Always say please and thank you.', 'Do not procrastinate.'

Student Engagement

1. Ask students: Why does the imperative not change according to the subject in English? Discuss the simplicity and usefulness of this feature. 2. Ask students to reflect and share everyday situations where they used or heard imperatives recently. How did that impact communication? 3. Question students about the difference in tone of an imperative sentence with and without the use of 'please'. How does this change the perception of the sentence? 4. Encourage students to create a short dialogue using imperatives. Ask them to share with the class and discuss the effectiveness of the communication.

Conclusion

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to review and consolidate the content learned during the lesson, ensuring that students have a clear and detailed understanding of the use of the imperative. This review helps reinforce learning and the practical importance of the imperative in daily communication.

Summary

• The imperative is a verbal form used to give orders, instructions, make requests, and advise.
• The structure of the imperative usually starts with the verb in the base form (infinitive without 'to').
• The use of 'please' in the imperative makes the sentence more polite and less authoritative.
• The negative imperative is formed with 'do not' or 'don't' followed by the verb in the base form.
• Common contexts for the use of the imperative include recipes, instruction manuals, signage, and oral commands in the classroom.

The lesson connected theory with practice by providing concrete examples and practical exercises that allowed students to apply their knowledge of the imperative in real situations, such as giving orders, instructions, making requests, and advising someone effectively and appropriately.

The study of the imperative is essential for everyday communication, as this verbal form is widely used in various situations, from following instructions in recipes to understanding signs. Additionally, the ability to use the imperative politely with 'please' can significantly improve social and professional interactions.