Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Verbs: Present 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 essential to direct the focus of students and the teacher towards the critical learning goals of the lesson. By clearly establishing what is expected to be achieved, students can better organize their prior knowledge and be prepared for the practical activities in class. This moment also serves to align students' expectations with those of the teacher, ensuring a common and effective approach during the lesson.

Main Objectives:

1. Empower students to recognize and differentiate the uses and applications of verbs in the present subjunctive in Spanish, comparing them with other verb tenses.

2. Develop the ability to conjugate verbs in the present subjunctive, applying them in contextual sentences and practical exercises.

Side Objectives:

1. Encourage active participation of students through discussions and exchanges of practical examples during the lesson.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The Introduction stage is designed to engage students from the beginning, using problem-based situations that require practical application of the present subjunctive, which serves to review and consolidate students' prior knowledge. The contextualization of the topic with real-life examples in music and everyday situations helps to showcase the relevance of studying the present subjunctive, stimulating students' interest and curiosity.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine you are organizing a trip with your friends and need to convince them to choose a destination you find more interesting. How would you use the present subjunctive in Spanish to express your opinions and desires?

2. Suppose you are helping a foreign colleague write a formal email in Spanish to request a scholarship. Discuss how the present subjunctive can be used to express necessity and hope in the text.

Contextualization

The present subjunctive is one of the most used verb tenses in Spanish, and understanding it is crucial not only for daily communication but also for formal situations such as academic and professional writing. For example, in Latin music, many lyrics use the present subjunctive to express desires, hopes, and advice, becoming an important cultural and linguistic element. Furthermore, understanding how and when to use the subjunctive can significantly alter the meaning of a sentence, highlighting the delicacy and subjectivity of language.

Development

Duration: (75 - 80 minutes)

The Development stage is designed for students to practically and contextually apply their prior knowledge of the present subjunctive. By working in groups, students have the opportunity to discuss and create in a collaborative environment, which not only reinforces learning but also develops social skills. The proposed activities aim to solidify the understanding of the uses of the subjunctive in varied and real situations, ensuring effective and long-lasting learning.

Activity Suggestions

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

Activity 1 - Building Bridges with the Subjunctive

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply knowledge of the use of the present subjunctive in real and everyday situations, reinforcing the understanding of this verb tense.

- Description: In this activity, students are divided into groups of up to 5 people. Each group will receive cards containing different everyday situations or phrases from song lyrics. They must discuss and write how they would use the present subjunctive to express wishes, suggestions, or requests in each situation.

- Instructions:

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

• Distribute a set of cards to each group, each containing a different situation.

• Ask them to discuss among themselves and write sentences in the present subjunctive that are appropriate for each situation.

• Each group must present their sentences to the class, explaining the use of the present subjunctive in each case.

• Promote a discussion after the presentations to clarify doubts and reinforce learning.

Activity 2 - Subjunctive Drama

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop oral and written expression skills in Spanish, using the present subjunctive in a dramatic context.

- Description: Students, in groups, will create short theatrical scenes involving the use of the present subjunctive. Each scene must contain at least three interactions using the subjunctive clearly to express wishes, doubts, suggestions, or commands.

- Instructions:

• Organize students into groups of no more than 5 people.

• Explain that each group must create a small theatrical scene that explores the use of the present subjunctive in dialogues.

• Provide some base scenarios to facilitate the creation of the scenes.

• Allow groups to rehearse their scenes.

• Hold a presentation of the scenes for the entire class, followed by a discussion about linguistic choices and the use of the present subjunctive.

Activity 3 - Subjunctive in the Kitchen

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Practice the use of the present subjunctive in instructional and descriptive contexts, as well as promote teamwork and creativity.

- Description: In this practical activity, students will use the present subjunctive to create recipes in Spanish. Each group will write a recipe, using the subjunctive to express the steps that can be done in different ways, suggestions for flavors, and wishes for the final result.

- Instructions:

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

• Each group is tasked with writing a recipe for a Spanish dish, using the present subjunctive for the instructions.

• Students must discuss and decide where the subjunctive is most appropriate in the recipe.

• After writing, each group presents their recipe to the class, justifying the use of the subjunctive in each part.

• Conduct a vote for the best recipe, considering the creative and appropriate use of the subjunctive.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

This feedback stage is essential for consolidating the learning acquired during the lesson. Through group discussion, students have the opportunity to verbalize and question their understanding, which helps clarify doubts and deepen knowledge. Additionally, by hearing the experiences and perspectives of classmates, students can gain further insights and a richer understanding of the use of the present subjunctive. This stage also serves to assess the degree of content assimilation by students and identify areas that may need additional review.

Group Discussion

Start the group discussion with a brief recap of the activities carried out, highlighting the importance of the present subjunctive in different contexts. Encourage each group to share interesting discoveries or challenges faced during the activities. Use guiding questions to explore students' understanding of the use of the present subjunctive in everyday situations and in more formal contexts, such as academic or professional writing.

Key Questions

1. What were the main challenges in applying the present subjunctive in different situations during the activities?

2. How does the use of the subjunctive alter the meaning of sentences compared to other verb tenses?

3. Could you share a real situation where the use of the present subjunctive is crucial for understanding or expression?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The conclusion stage serves to reinforce the learning acquired during the lesson, ensuring that students have a clear and consolidated understanding of the topic. By summarizing and recapping key points, the teacher helps students link theory and practice, and understand the relevance of the present subjunctive in their daily and academic communication. This moment also provides a smooth transition to future lessons, reinforcing the importance of the content learned and preparing students for its continuous application.

Summary

In the conclusion, the teacher recaps the main points addressed about the present subjunctive, reinforcing the structure and uses of this verb tense in different contexts. It is essential to summarize the conjugation rules and the practical examples discussed during the lesson, ensuring that students have a clear and consolidated view of the material presented.

Theory Connection

During the lesson, the connection between theory and practice was established through interactive activities, such as building sentences on cards, creating theatrical scenes, and writing recipes. These activities allowed students to directly apply theoretical knowledge in practical situations, solidifying the understanding and importance of using the present subjunctive in Spanish.

Closing

Finally, the teacher highlights the relevance of the present subjunctive in the students' daily lives, not only in formal contexts, such as academic and professional texts, but also in everyday interactions and cultural expressions. Understanding and using this verb tense correctly enriches communicative ability in Spanish and expands the possibilities for expression and understanding in various contexts.