Lesson Plan Teknis | Verbs: Introduction to Past Continuous

Objective

Duration: 15 - 20 minutes

This stage aims to ensure students grasp the structure and application of the past continuous tense, which is vital for narrating events and actions occurring at a specific point in the past. This not only bolsters their communication skills in English but also equips them for practical work situations, such as report writing and storytelling, where clarity about timing is essential.

Objective Utama:

1. Comprehend the structure and usage of verbs in the past continuous tense.

2. Identify and utilise past continuous verbs in contextualised sentences.

3. Cultivate the skill to narrate past events in the continuous form.

Objective Sampingan:

1. Appreciate the significance of the past continuous tense in narrating and describing past actions.

Introduction

Duration: 15 - 20 minutes

The goal of this stage is to equip students with an understanding of the past continuous tense's structure and application, which is crucial for narrating events and actions from the past. This not only enhances their communication skills but also prepares them for practical work situations like writing reports and stories where temporal clarity is vital.

Curiosities and Market Connection

The past continuous tense is a vital tool for both personal storytelling and professional contexts. For instance, journalists employ it to relay events as they unfold, creating a clear timeline. In corporate incident reports, this tense details actions happening prior to specific occurrences. Mastering the past continuous is advantageous in various fields such as marketing, journalism, and project management, where precise communication of events is crucial.

Contextualization

Picture yourself narrating a story about your activities yesterday afternoon. Perhaps you were having a kickabout when the rain started, or engrossed in a book when your mate called. These ongoing actions in the past are expressed using the past continuous tense. Understanding and applying this grammatical structure enables you to detail past events with greater accuracy and richness, making your storytelling more compelling.

Initial Activity

Show a brief 2-minute video showcasing various actions taking place simultaneously. Ask students to pay close attention and pose engaging questions like: 'What was happening when the phone rang?' or 'Who was talking while the music was playing?'. This creates a visual link between the past continuous structure and real-life actions.

Development

Duration: 45 - 50 minutes

The aim of this stage is to provide students with a comprehensive and practical understanding of the past continuous tense. Through collaborative activities and fixation exercises, students will apply the knowledge acquired, enhance their communication skills, and prepare for real-world situations in the workplace where clarity and accuracy in describing events are essential.

Topics

1. Structure of the past continuous tense

2. Using the past continuous in narratives

3. Differentiating between the past continuous and simple past

4. Practical uses of the past continuous tense

Thoughts on the Subject

Facilitate a discussion on why continuous actions in the past are important for providing detailed and accurate event descriptions. Ask students about situations requiring temporal accuracy, like storytelling or reporting on events. Inquire how they believe the past continuous can enhance the clarity and engagement of these descriptions.

Mini Challenge

Crafting Stories in the Past Continuous

Students will form small groups and be provided with a series of images showing a sequence of events. Each group must develop a narrative incorporating the past continuous to describe the ongoing actions depicted.

1. Split students into groups of 3 to 4.

2. Hand out a set of 5 logically sequenced images to each group.

3. Guide students to discuss within their groups and compose a story using the past continuous to depict actions in each image.

4. Each group should write their narratives on paper and be ready to share with the class.

5. Lead the presentation of stories, encouraging students to read their narratives and emphasize their use of the past continuous.

Enhance the ability to narrate past events using the past continuous in a collaborative and practical manner.

**Duration: 25 - 30 minutes

Evaluation Exercises

1. Write 5 sentences using the past continuous to describe actions you were engaged in yesterday afternoon.

2. Turn the following sentences from simple past to past continuous: a) She read a book. b) They played soccer. c) I cooked dinner.

3. Complete the sentences with the verb in the past continuous: a) While I was studying, my brother watched TV. b) She was writing an email when the phone rang.

Conclusion

Duration: 15 - 20 minutes

The aim of this stage is to consolidate student learning, ensuring an understanding of the past continuous's importance and application. Through summarizing, discussing, and reflecting, students reinforce acquired knowledge and learn how to use it in realistic scenarios, both in academic and workplace settings.

Discussion

Encourage an open discussion about the lesson theme, inviting students to share their reflections on using the past continuous. Ask about their feelings regarding the group storytelling mini-challenge and how the fixation exercises helped solidify their understanding. Encourage them to think about how this skill can be practical in everyday life and workplace scenarios. Ask them to provide examples of when the past continuous can improve narrative clarity and richness.

Summary

Recap the key concepts from the lesson, such as the structure of the past continuous, its application in narratives to describe ongoing past actions, and the differences between past continuous and simple past. Emphasize the importance of mastering this verb form for clearer communication and detailing events accurately.

Closing

Discuss how the lesson bridged theory with practice through various activities, including the video observation, group story creation, and fixation exercises. Highlight the significance of the past continuous in ensuring clear communication in personal and professional contexts. Conclude the lesson by stressing how this skill is beneficial across various fields, such as journalism, marketing, and project management, preparing students for real-world workplace scenarios.