Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Introduction to verb tenses: Students should understand the importance of verb tenses in the Spanish language and how they are used to describe different situations. This foundation will be essential for understanding the concepts of Pretérito Perfecto and Pretérito Indefinido.

2. Understanding of Pretérito Perfecto: The main objective is for students to be able to identify and formulate verbs in the Pretérito Perfecto tense. They should also be able to distinguish when this verb tense is used compared to other verb tenses.

3. Understanding of Pretérito Indefinido: Similarly to Pretérito Perfecto, students should be able to recognize and construct verbs in the Pretérito Indefinido tense. Additionally, they are expected to understand the specific circumstances in which this verb tense is applied.

Secondary Objectives:

• Writing and reading practice: Students should have opportunities to practice writing and reading verbs in the Pretérito Perfecto and Pretérito Indefinido tenses during the lesson.

• Review of regular and irregular verbs: As part of learning these verb tenses, students will also review the conjugation of regular and irregular verbs, an essential skill in the study of the Spanish language.

• Development of listening skills: Through interactive activities, students will also enhance their listening skills, which are crucial for learning any foreign language.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

1. Review of related content: The teacher should briefly review the previously learned concepts about regular and irregular verbs, as well as the formation and use of other verb tenses. This is essential to establish a solid foundation before introducing the new verb tenses.

2. Problem-based situations:

   • Situation 1: The teacher can describe a situation where someone is talking about something that happened yesterday and something that just happened. This will help introduce the difference between the Pretérito Perfecto, which is used to describe completed actions in the recent past, and the Pretérito Indefinido, which is used for past events at a specific time.

   • Situation 2: The teacher can propose a situation where someone is telling a story about an event that happened and the subsequent details. This can help explain how the Pretérito Indefinido is often used in narratives to describe a series of past events.

3. Contextualization: The teacher should emphasize the importance of these verb tenses in everyday life, such as when telling stories, reporting recent events, or talking about past experiences. Additionally, examples of their use in literature, journalism, and everyday conversations can be cited.

4. Topic introduction: The teacher can start the lesson with some curiosities:

   • Curiosity 1: The Pretérito Indefinido is also known as Pretérito Perfeito Simples and is widely used in narratives, stories, and news.

   • Curiosity 2: The Pretérito Perfecto is similar to the Present Perfect in English, but has some differences in usage. For example, while in English the Present Perfect is used to talk about life experiences (Ex: I have been to Spain), in Spanish the Pretérito Perfecto is used to talk about actions completed in the recent past (Ex: He comido paella hoy).

   • Application 1: Many Spanish songs use the Pretérito Indefinido and Pretérito Perfecto in their lyrics. An example is the song 'Corazón Partío' by Alejandro Sanz, which uses both verb tenses.

   • Application 2: The Pretérito Indefinido is widely used in news to report past events. For example, 'El equipo ganó el campeonato' (The team won the championship).

This introduction should spark students' interest, contextualizing the importance and application of the verb tenses that will be studied.

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Activity 1: Conjugation and use of verbs in the Pretérito Perfecto and Pretérito Indefinido tenses

   • Necessary materials: cards with regular and irregular verbs in Spanish, blackboard or whiteboard.

   • The teacher should divide the class into groups of three or four students. Each group receives a set of cards with Spanish verbs.

   • The students, in their groups, should work together to conjugate each verb in the Pretérito Perfecto and Pretérito Indefinido tenses. They should write their answers on a piece of paper.

   • Once the task is completed, each group should present their answers to the class. The teacher will correct any errors and provide feedback.

   • The objective of this activity is to reinforce the formation of the Pretérito Perfecto and Pretérito Indefinido tenses, as well as the distinction between them.

2. Activity 2: Role-play with the use of Pretérito Perfecto and Pretérito Indefinido tenses

   • Necessary materials: pre-prepared scenarios that require the use of Pretérito Perfecto and Pretérito Indefinido tenses.

   • The teacher should prepare some scenarios that involve the use of the verb tenses. These can be everyday situations, such as telling a friend about what they did over the weekend, or reporting an incident that happened in the past.

   • The students, in their groups, should choose a scenario and prepare a short performance, using verbs in the Pretérito Perfecto and Pretérito Indefinido tenses.

   • Each group should present their performance to the class. The teacher should provide feedback and correct any conjugation errors or misuse of the verb tenses.

   • The objective of this activity is to allow students to practice using the verb tenses in a real context, helping them understand when to use each one.

3. Activity 3: Interpretation of song lyrics and news

   • Necessary materials: song lyrics and news articles in Spanish that use the Pretérito Perfecto and Pretérito Indefinido tenses.

   • The teacher should provide students with song lyrics and news articles that use the verb tenses. The students, in their groups, should identify and highlight the verbs in the Pretérito Perfecto and Pretérito Indefinido tenses.

   • Next, the students should discuss why the author chose to use a specific verb tense in each situation.

   • This activity helps students see how verb tenses are used in the real world, reinforcing their understanding and use of them.

The development of this lesson promotes collaboration and critical thinking, encouraging students to work together to solve problems and discuss ideas. Additionally, the playful and interactive activities should help keep students engaged and motivated.

Return (7 - 10 minutes)

1. Review of key points: The teacher should start the return session by reviewing the key points covered in the lesson, emphasizing the importance of the Pretérito Perfecto and Pretérito Indefinido tenses and their differences. This review can be done through a brief presentation or conversation, ensuring that all students have understood the main concepts.

2. Group discussion: The teacher should organize a group discussion, where each team shares their findings and achievements during the activities. Students can discuss the challenges they faced when conjugating verbs and using the verb tenses in different contexts. This discussion will provide students with the opportunity to learn from each other, clarify doubts, and solidify their knowledge.

3. Individual reflection: After the discussion, the teacher should ask students to reflect individually on what they have learned. They should consider the following questions:

   1. What was the most important concept I learned today?
   2. What questions have not been answered yet?
   3. What did I find most challenging during today's activities?
   4. How can I apply what I learned today in everyday situations?

   Students can write down their answers and share them with the class if they wish. The teacher should encourage all students to participate, as this is a valuable opportunity to assess individual understanding and identify areas that may need further review or practice.

4. Teacher feedback: Based on the students' responses and discussions, the teacher should provide feedback and additional guidance. This may include clarifications on points of confusion, strategies to remember verb conjugation rules, or tips on how to distinguish between the uses of Pretérito Perfecto and Pretérito Indefinido tenses.

5. Preparation for the next lesson: To conclude the lesson, the teacher can give an overview of what will be covered in the next lesson, giving students an idea of what to expect and how they can prepare. This could include homework assignments or suggested readings.

The return session is an essential part of the lesson, as it allows students to consolidate what they have learned, receive feedback, and prepare for future lessons. This helps ensure that the lesson objectives have been achieved and that students are ready to move on to new topics.

Conclusion (3 - 5 minutes)

1. Summary of contents: The teacher should recap the main concepts and topics covered in the lesson. This includes definitions of Pretérito Perfecto and Pretérito Indefinido, their conjugations and uses, and the distinction between them. The teacher can conduct a brief quiz or game to review the key points and ensure that students have understood and retained the information.

2. Connection between theory and practice: The teacher should highlight how the activities in the lesson connect theory with practice. For example, the verb conjugation activity helped reinforce students' theoretical knowledge of Pretérito Perfecto and Pretérito Indefinido. The role-play activities and interpretation of song lyrics and news helped put this knowledge into practice, allowing students to experience how these verb tenses are used in real-world situations.

3. Additional materials: The teacher should suggest additional materials for students who wish to deepen their knowledge. This may include textbooks, language learning websites, instructional videos, Spanish podcasts, and other sources that offer additional practice or more detailed explanations about Pretérito Perfecto and Pretérito Indefinido.

4. Relevance of the topic: Finally, the teacher should reiterate the importance of these verb tenses in the Spanish language. Students should understand that mastering the use of Pretérito Perfecto and Pretérito Indefinido is essential for effective communication in Spanish, as these verb tenses are often used to describe completed actions and past events. Additionally, the teacher can reinforce how knowledge of these verb tenses can be useful in various everyday situations, such as in personal conversations, academic writing, reading news, and enjoying Spanish media.

The conclusion of the lesson is a crucial part of the lesson plan, as it helps consolidate the acquired knowledge, connect the dots between theory and practice, and motivate students to continue learning beyond the classroom. Additionally, it offers students the chance to reflect on what they have learned, assess their own progress, and understand the relevance and application of what was taught.