Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Verbs: Imperfect Preterite and Perfect Subjunctive

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The objectives stage is crucial for directing the focus of both students and the teacher towards the specific learning goals of the lesson. By clearly establishing what is expected to be achieved, students can better organize their prior knowledge and direct their questions to deepen their understanding of the specific topics of the Imperfect Subjunctive and Perfect Subjunctive tenses. Additionally, this stage serves to align expectations and ensure that both classroom activities and students' prior study are focused on the proposed learning objectives.

Main Objectives:

1. Empower students to differentiate and correctly apply the Imperfect Subjunctive and the Perfect Subjunctive tenses in verbs.

2. Develop the ability to identify and conjugate verbs in the studied tenses in various contexts, strengthening understanding and fluency in the Spanish language.

Side Objectives:

1. Encourage active participation of students in the learning process through discussions and case analyses.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction stage aims to engage students with the content they have studied previously at home, using problem-based situations that encourage them to apply their knowledge in a practical and contextualized way. Furthermore, the contextualization seeks to show the relevance of the studied verb tenses in real and everyday situations, increasing students' interest and motivation for the lesson.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine you are on a trip around Spain and need to tell a friend about an event that could have changed your plans. How would you use the Imperfect Subjunctive and the Perfect Subjunctive to tell this story in a precise and exciting way?

2. Think of a job interview scenario for your dream job in a Spanish company. How would you express your hopes, doubts, and desires using verbs in the Imperfect Subjunctive and Perfect Subjunctive tenses to impress the interviewer?

Contextualization

The correct use of verb tenses in Spanish is fundamental not only for effective communication but also for expressing nuances of time, doubt, desire, and possibility. These verb tenses are frequently used in narratives, descriptions, and to express conditions, and are essential for fluency in the Spanish language. Many Spanish idiomatic expressions and proverbs make abundant use of the Imperfect Subjunctive and Perfect Subjunctive, enriching the language and providing a deeper understanding of Hispanic culture.

Development

Duration: (65 - 75 minutes)

The Development phase is designed to allow students to apply, in a practical and interactive way, their prior knowledge of the Imperfect Subjunctive and Perfect Subjunctive. Through playful and contextualized activities, students can explore the richness of verb tenses in various situations, from creating scripts to solving verbal mysteries, thus strengthening their ability to use these tenses in speaking and writing accurately and fluently.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Cinema in Spanish: A Journey through Verb Tenses

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Practice the creation and use of verb tenses in a real and dynamic context, stimulating understanding and fluency through a playful and creative activity.

- Description: Students, divided into groups of up to 5, will take on the role of screenwriters. Each group must create a short script for a scene of a Spanish movie, predominantly using the Imperfect Subjunctive and Perfect Subjunctive tenses. The scene should explore a moment of decision or reflection of a character, allowing for the rich and meaningful use of the verb tenses.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to 5 students.

• Choose a context for the scene (e.g., a family gathering, a romantic encounter, a job interview).

• Develop the dialogue between the characters, making extensive use of the Imperfect Subjunctive and Perfect Subjunctive tenses.

• Prepare a presentation of the scene, including acting out the dialogues and explaining the use of the verb tenses after the presentation.

• Present the scene to the class, followed by a brief discussion about the use of the verb tenses in the scene.

Activity 2 - Grammar Mystery: The Case of the Disappeared Verbs

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop the ability to recognize and correctly conjugate verbs in the Imperfect Subjunctive and Perfect Subjunctive within a narrative context, promoting a deeper understanding of verb tenses.

- Description: In this activity, students will be linguistic detectives. They will receive a story that contains blanks filled with infinitive verbs. The challenge is to replace the verbs with the correct forms in the Imperfect Subjunctive and Perfect Subjunctive, based on the context and verbal logic.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Distribute a copy of the story with blanks to each group.

• Students must work together to choose and conjugate the appropriate verbs.

• After completing the blanks, each group must justify their choices based on the context of the story.

• Conduct a collective correction, discussing the verb choices of each group.

Activity 3 - Story Builders: Verbs that Weave the Past and Future

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Explore the depth and versatility of verb tenses in different temporal connections and reinforce the correct use of the Imperfect Subjunctive and Perfect Subjunctive in writing and speaking.

- Description: In groups, students will create a story that connects the past and future of characters, using the Imperfect Subjunctive and Perfect Subjunctive to narrate past events and possible futures. The task includes writing the story and its subsequent presentation, focusing on the correct use of verb tenses.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to 5 students.

• Each group must choose or create two characters and think of a problem they faced in the past and a decision they will make in the future.

• Write a story that describes the past events and possible futures of the characters using the Imperfect Subjunctive and Perfect Subjunctive.

• Prepare a presentation of the story, paying attention to the correct use of the verb tenses.

• Present the story to the class and discuss the verb choices and their impact on the plot events.

Feedback

Duration: (20 - 30 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to allow students to reflect on the practical learning of the studied verb tenses and share their experiences and discoveries with the class. This discussion aims to reinforce students' understanding of the application of verb tenses in various contexts and provide a space for mutual feedback, helping to identify areas for improvement and consolidate the knowledge acquired.

Group Discussion

At the end of the activities, gather all students for a group discussion. Start the discussion with a brief introduction: 'Now that everyone has had the opportunity to explore the use of the Imperfect Subjunctive and Perfect Subjunctive in different contexts, let's share what we've learned. Each group will have five minutes to present a summary of what they created and discuss the challenges faced during the activity. Use this moment to also explain how the verb tenses influenced the construction of the narrative or scene that you created.'

Key Questions

1. What were the main challenges in using the Imperfect Subjunctive and Perfect Subjunctive in your activities?

2. How did the choice of verb tenses alter the meaning or emotion in the scene or story you created?

3. Was there any situation where you noticed that you could improve the application of verb tenses?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The conclusion stage serves to consolidate learning, ensuring that students have understood and synthesized the knowledge acquired during the lesson. Additionally, this section reinforces the practical importance of verb tenses in everyday use of the Spanish language, helping students to recognize the direct applicability of what they have learned in real and everyday situations. Summarizing and linking theory and practice, this stage ensures that knowledge is retained and valued beyond the school environment.

Summary

To conclude, let's recap the content covered about the Imperfect Subjunctive and Perfect Subjunctive. These essential verb tenses in the Spanish language were explored through practical activities that allowed students to apply theoretical knowledge in real and creative contexts, such as writing movie scripts and solving a grammar mystery. Through these activities, students were able to see the direct application of verb tenses in narratives, expressions of desire and doubt, and in everyday conversations.

Theory Connection

During the lesson, the theory about verb tenses was directly connected to practice through interactive activities. This approach not only facilitated a deeper and more intuitive understanding of the content but also highlighted the importance of verb tenses in effective communication and expression of emotional nuances. Each activity was structured to emphasize the correct application of verb tenses, helping students internalize theoretical concepts through extensive practice.

Closing

Finally, it is crucial to highlight the relevance of studying verb tenses, not only for academic success but also for fluency and appropriate communication in Spanish. Understanding and correctly applying the use of verb tenses allows students to express themselves in a richer, culturally sensitive, and effective manner in various contexts. These skills are essential for those wishing to use Spanish in professional, academic, or personal situations.