Speaking:
Yesterday’s News
Grouping:
Time:
Pairs → Small groups → Whole class
15 minutes
Aim
Students will use past simple verbs to describe what they did yesterday.
Materials
• A set of verb flashcards (regular and irregular)
• A list of past time expressions (yesterday, last week, in 2020, etc.)
Preparation
• Write example sentences on the board (Yesterday, I went to the park and played football.).
• Prepare a list of regular and irregular verbs.
Activity Breakdown
1. Students pick a verb flashcard and make a sentence about yesterday.
2. In pairs, students take turns asking and answering: What did you do yesterday?
3. They then join a small group and share what they heard.
4. Volunteers share interesting stories with the class.
Instructions
1. Take a verb card.
2. Think of a sentence using yesterday.
3. Tell your partner.
4. Listen to your partner and ask questions.
5. Share your partner’s answer with a group.
Concept Checking Questions
• “Are we talking about now or the past?” (The past.)
• “Does the verb change in past simple?” (Yes.)
Examples
• Yesterday, I went to the beach.
• Last night, we watched a movie.
Extensions/Varations
• Harder: Students make longer sentences using and, but, so.
• Easier: Students match verbs to past tense forms before speaking.
Error Correction
• The teacher repeats incorrect sentences and lets students self-correct.
Writing:
My Last Weekend
Grouping:
Time:
Individuals → Pairs
20 minutes
Aim
Students will write a short paragraph about their last weekend using past simple.
Materials
• A worksheet with sentence starters (Last weekend, I…)
• A list of past time expressions
Preparation
• Write example sentences on the board (Last weekend, I visited my grandparents.).
Activity Breakdown
1. Students complete sentences using past simple verbs.
2. They write a short paragraph about their last weekend.
3. Students read their paragraph to a partner.
Instructions
1. Write Last weekend, I…
2. Add two more sentences.
3. Check your writing.
4. Read to your partner.
5. The teacher checks your work.
Concept Checking Questions
• “Are we talking about the past?” (Yes.)
• “Do regular verbs end in -ed?” (Yes.)
Examples
• Last weekend, I visited my grandparents.
• We went to the park and played football.
Extensions/Varations
• Harder: Students write a longer story about their weekend.
• Easier: Students complete sentence frames before writing.
Error Correction
• The teacher highlights incorrect verbs and asks students to correct them.
Listening:
A Day in the Life
Grouping:
Time:
Individuals → Pairs
15 minutes
Aim
Students will listen to a short story and identify past simple verbs.
Materials
• An audio clip or teacher-read passage about someone’s day
• A worksheet with a verb gap-fill
Preparation
• Write key past simple verbs on the board.
• Prepare a short listening script with past events.
Activity Breakdown
1. Students listen to a short story (Yesterday, Sarah woke up at 7 AM…).
2. They complete a worksheet by filling in the missing past simple verbs.
3. Students check answers with a partner.
4. The teacher reviews answers with the class.
Instructions
1. Listen to the story.
2. Write the missing verbs.
3. Check with your partner.
4. Listen again if needed.
5. The teacher checks answers.
Concept Checking Questions
• “Is this story about now or the past?” (The past.)
• “Do we say go or went?” (Went.)
Examples
• She woke up at 7 AM.
• He had breakfast at 8 AM.
Extensions/Varations
• Harder: Students rewrite the story in first-person.
• Easier: Students receive a word bank of past simple verbs.
Error Correction
• The teacher replays tricky parts for better comprehension.
Reading:
Lost in Time
Grouping:
Time:
Pairs
15 minutes
Aim
Students will read a short story and identify past simple verbs.
Materials
• A printed short story with missing past simple verbs
• A list of verbs (students choose the correct past form)
Preparation
• Write a story with missing verbs (Yesterday, I ___ (wake) up at 7 AM.).
• Prepare a word bank of verbs.
Activity Breakdown
1. Students read the story and fill in the missing past simple verbs.
2. They compare answers with a partner.
3. The teacher checks answers as a class.
Instructions
1. Read the story.
2. Find the missing words.
3. Write the past simple form.
4. Check with your partner.
5. The teacher checks answers.
Concept Checking Questions
• “If the verb is go, what is the past tense?” (Went.)
• “Do regular verbs end in -ed?” (Yes.)
Examples
• He walked to school.
• She saw a movie last night.
Extensions/Varations
• Harder: Students write their own past simple story.
• Easier: Students match verbs before reading.
Error Correction
• The teacher highlights mistakes and asks students to correct them.