Using the past simple
Overview
This lesson will focus on the common functional uses of the past simple tense. By the end of the session, the students will better understand this past tense and how to use it more effectively.
We begin with a boardwork suggestion that offers one way to present the target language. In the activities, the students write their own Wikipedia page and participate in a couple of collaborative speaking activities. To wrap up the session, we have a couple of classroom games to help reinforce the learning objectives.
Lesson Outline
Classroom activities
Use of the board
The students take a closer look at some common functional uses of the past simple tense.
Step through the functional uses of the past simple tense using the timelines to illustrate your points. If you can, lean on L1 to confirm understanding among the students before you move past each case.
My Wiki
A fun writing activity where the students get to create their own Wikipedia page.
Holiday memories
A pairwork speaking activity where the students have to talk about their most recent trip away.
Memory test
For this follow-on speaking activity, the students share what they learned about their partner during the previous task.
Classroom games
Snowball darts
Students have to spell past simple verbs to earn a throw of the snowball and a chance to win points for their team.
Alibi
Students will interrogate two suspects of an imaginary crime to look for holes in their story.
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750+ Low-prep classroom activity ideas
1100+ Printable ESL flashcards
180+ ESL lesson plans
8 Distinct language levels
Offline access through the TEFLHandbook app
Reduce your planning time and improve the way you present and teach English grammar.
