Future Tense, Identification and Uses for JSS 2

Class: JSS 2
Term: First Term
Week: 8
Age: 13 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: English Language Studies
Curriculum Theme: Grammatical Accuracy
Previous Lesson: Expository Composition, Generating Ideas and Drafting
Topic: Grammatical Accuracy
Subject Matter: Future Tense, Identification and Uses

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Identify future tense verbs in selected passages.
• State the primary uses of the future tense.
• Explain how the future tense is formed.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of using the future tense correctly in communication.

Psychomotor Domain

• Construct grammatically correct sentences using the future tense.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Macmillan English for Junior Secondary Schools 2
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Selected passages containing examples of future tense.
• Whiteboard/Chalkboard and markers/chalk.
• Flashcards with future tense verbs.

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding the future tense is fundamental for effective communication, as it enables individuals to express plans, predictions, and intentions about upcoming events. This lesson equips students with the grammatical tools necessary to articulate future actions clearly and accurately. It builds on their knowledge of other tenses, enhancing their overall linguistic competence.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of verbs and other tenses like the present and past tenses.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Grammatical Accuracy

Future Tense

The future tense is a verb form used to describe actions or states that will happen in the future. It indicates events that are yet to occur.

Formation of the Future Tense

The simple future tense is typically formed using ‘will’ or ‘shall’ followed by the base form of the verb (infinitive without ‘to’).

1. Using ‘will’ + base verb: This is the most common way to form the future tense for all subjects.
2. Using ‘shall’ + base verb: ‘Shall’ is traditionally used with ‘I’ and ‘we’ to express future actions, but ‘will’ is now more common and acceptable. ‘Shall’ can also be used to express determination or an offer.

Examples of Future Tense Verbs

1. will go
2. will eat
3. will study
4. will write
5. will come
6. shall see
7. shall help

Identification of Future Tense in Passages

To identify the future tense in a passage, look for auxiliary verbs ‘will’ or ‘shall’ immediately followed by the base form of another verb.

Example Passage:

“Next week, the students will begin their final examinations. They will study hard to pass. After the exams, the school will close for the holidays. We shall travel to our hometown to visit our grandparents. I hope we will have a wonderful time.”

In the passage above, the future tense verbs are: will begin, will study, will close, shall travel, will have.

Uses of the Future Tense

The future tense is used to:

1. Express actions or events that will happen in the future: This is the most common use.

• Example: Work will begin next week.
• Example: She will visit her aunt tomorrow.

• Example: It will probably rain later.
• Example: I think he will win the election.

• Example: “I’m thirsty.” “I will get you some water.”

• Example: I will help you with your homework.
• Example: I shall return your book tomorrow.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Guided Practice, Individual Practice

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Recalling/Engaging

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to recall what they learned about present and past tenses in previous lessons. The teacher then introduces the concept of future tense by asking what they plan to do after school or tomorrow.

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond to the teacher’s questions, sharing their understanding of past and present tenses and their future plans.

Learning Point: Recalling previous tenses

Step 2: Explanation of Future Tense

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Defining

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what the future tense is, how it is formed (using ‘will’/’shall’ + base verb), and provides simple examples on the board. The teacher clarifies the use of ‘will’ for all subjects and ‘shall’ for ‘I’ and ‘we’.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen attentively, ask questions for clarification, and note down key points.

Learning Point: Meaning of future tense

Step 3: Identifying Future Tense in Passages

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstrating/Guiding

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents a selected passage on the board or chart containing future tense verbs. The teacher then guides the students to identify and underline the future tense verbs in the passage, explaining the identification process.

Pupils’ Activity: Students read the passage and actively participate in identifying the future tense verbs as guided by the teacher.

Learning Point: Future tense identification

Step 4: Discussing Uses of Future Tense

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Elaborating/Illustrating

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the various uses of the future tense, such as expressing actions that will happen, making predictions, expressing spontaneous decisions, and making promises or offers. The teacher provides clear examples for each use.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and contribute by suggesting simple sentences for each use of the future tense.

Learning Point: Uses of future tense

Step 5: Guided Practice – Forming Sentences

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Facilitating/Correcting

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks students to form simple sentences using the future tense based on different scenarios or prompts. The teacher provides feedback and corrects errors immediately.

Pupils’ Activity: Students construct sentences orally, demonstrating their understanding of future tense formation and use.

Learning Point: Sentence construction practice

Step 6: Reinforcement – More Sentence Construction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcing/Consolidating

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher gives a few more verbs and asks students to use them in future tense sentences, either individually or in pairs. The teacher monitors and assists as needed.

Pupils’ Activity: Students work on constructing more sentences, solidifying their understanding and application of the future tense.

Learning Point: Future tense application

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is the future tense?
2. How do you form the simple future tense?
3. Mention two uses of the future tense.
4. Identify the future tense verb in this sentence: “My brother will travel to Lagos next month.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Assessment of understanding

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the future tense, its formation, identification, and uses, into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarising/Closing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly reminds students of the importance of using the future tense correctly to talk about future events and encourages them to practice it in their daily conversations and writing.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and acknowledge the importance of the lesson.

Learning Point: Future tense consolidation

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Complete the following tasks in your English Language notebook:

1. Write five sentences describing what you will do during the next school holiday.
2. Underline the future tense verbs in the following sentences:
   1. The sun will rise early tomorrow.
   2. We shall meet at the market square.
   3. My mother will bake a cake for my birthday.
   4. They will play football after school.
   5. I will finish my assignment before dinner.

Lesson Keywords

• Future Tense – A verb form used to describe actions or states that will happen in the future.
• Will – An auxiliary verb used to form the future tense for all subjects.
• Shall – An auxiliary verb traditionally used with ‘I’ and ‘we’ to form the future tense.
• Base Verb – The infinitive form of a verb without ‘to’.
• Prediction – A statement about what will happen in the future.

Differentiation

For weaker learners, provide simpler passages with fewer future tense verbs and offer sentence starters for constructing their own sentences. For faster learners, challenge them to write a short paragraph about their future aspirations using various future tense constructions, including ‘going to’ for future plans.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding and visual learning, students can search for “Future Tense English Grammar JSS 2” on YouTube.

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, prepare several short, clear passages that contain examples of the future tense. Ensure you have a good understanding of the different uses of ‘will’ and ‘shall’. During the lesson, encourage active participation by having students read passages aloud and identify verbs. When students are forming sentences, pay close attention to subject-verb agreement and the correct use of ‘will’ or ‘shall’ with the base verb. Allow students to copy the Board Summary notes during Step 8. Check for understanding frequently through questions and provide constructive feedback. Support weaker learners by simplifying tasks and providing more direct guidance, while challenging faster learners with more complex sentence structures or creative writing tasks involving the future tense.