Past Actions. Identification of Present and Past Actions for Primary 1

Class: Primary 1
Term: Second Term
Week: 7
Age: 6 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: English Studies
Curriculum Theme: English Studies
Previous Lesson: Listening and Speaking, Reading, and Writing.
Topic: Listening and Speaking, Grammatical Accuracy (Structure), Reading, Writing
Subject Matter: Identification of present and past actions; Asking and answering of questions; Concept on punctuation marks: Comma (, ), Full stop (.) Question mark (?); Writing simple sentences with emphasis on the use of punctuation marks appropriately.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

• Identify and give examples of present and past actions.
• Ask and answer simple questions using ‘What’.
• Identify and explain common punctuation marks (comma, full stop, question mark).
• Write simple sentences using appropriate punctuation marks.

Affective Domain:

• Appreciate the importance of using correct tenses in communication.
• Show willingness to participate in question-and-answer activities.
• Value the correct use of punctuation marks in writing.

Psychomotor Domain:

• Use present and past action verbs correctly in simple sentences.
• Formulate simple questions and provide appropriate answers.
• Demonstrate the use of punctuation marks (comma, full stop, question mark) while writing sentences.

Social Domain:

• Collaborate with peers in asking and answering questions.
• Communicate clearly using appropriate grammatical structures and punctuation.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Primary 1
• State Unified Scheme of Work
• MacMillan Primary English for Nigerian Schools, Pupil’s Book 1

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Flashcards showing action verbs (e.g., eat/ate, go/went, come/came).
• Charts displaying punctuation marks (comma, full stop, question mark) and their uses.
• Pictures depicting various actions.
• Whiteboard or blackboard and markers/chalk.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils to understand how actions change based on when they happen, how to ask and answer simple questions, and how to use important marks in writing. This knowledge is important for clear communication and for understanding what they read and write every day.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can identify basic letters and words, and they can form very simple sentences orally.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

English Studies

Listening and Speaking: Present and Past Actions

Actions can happen now (present) or they can have already happened (past).

The following are examples of present and past actions:

• Present: eat – Past: ate
• Present: come – Past: came
• Present: go – Past: went
• Present: see – Past: saw
• Present: run – Past: ran

Grammatical Accuracy (Structure): Asking and Answering Questions

We ask questions to get information. We can use ‘What’ to ask about things.

Examples of asking and answering questions:

• Question: What is this?
• Answer: This is a book.
• Question: What are you doing?
• Answer: I am reading.
• Question: What did you eat?
• Answer: I ate rice.

Reading: Concept on Punctuation Marks

Punctuation marks are symbols we use in writing to make sentences clear and easy to understand.

The following are common punctuation marks:

• Full Stop (.)
  • It is used at the end of a sentence that tells us something.
  • Example: I love to play.
• Question Mark (?)
  • It is used at the end of a sentence that asks a question.
  • Example: What is your name?
• Comma (,)
  • It is used to separate items in a list or to show a short pause in a sentence.
  • Example: I have a pen, a book, and a bag.

Writing: Writing Simple Sentences with Punctuation Marks

When we write sentences, we must use punctuation marks correctly to make our writing clear.

Examples of simple sentences with punctuation:

• The boy is happy. (Full stop)
• Are you going to school? (Question mark)
• My favourite colours are red, blue, and yellow. (Comma and Full stop)

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils, checks on their well-being, reviews the previous lesson briefly, and then introduces the new topics by asking simple questions related to actions they perform daily and how they write.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, recall parts of the previous lesson, and listen attentively to the introduction of the new topics.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the day’s lesson and connect new learning with previous knowledge.

Step 2: Explanation of Present and Past Actions

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the difference between present and past actions using simple examples like “I eat” (present) and “I ate” (past). The teacher shows flashcards of present and past verb forms (e.g., go/went, come/came) and asks pupils to repeat them.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanation, repeat the verb forms, and try to give their own simple examples of present and past actions.
Learning Point: Pupils learn to identify and differentiate between present and past action verbs.

Step 3: Asking and Answering Questions

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils on how to ask simple questions using ‘What’ and how to answer them correctly. The teacher demonstrates with objects in the classroom (e.g., “What is this?”). The teacher then pairs pupils and encourages them to ask each other simple ‘What’ questions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration, practice asking and answering ‘What’ questions with their partners, and provide correct answers.
Learning Point: Pupils develop skills in asking and answering simple questions.

Step 4: Introduction to Punctuation Marks

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visual Aids
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays charts showing the full stop (.), question mark (?), and comma (,). The teacher explains what each mark is called, how it looks, and its basic use in a sentence with simple examples written on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the charts, listen to the explanations, and identify the punctuation marks. They also try to state the use of each mark.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the concept and basic uses of common punctuation marks.

Step 5: Practice Writing Sentences with Punctuation

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher writes simple sentences on the board and leaves blanks for punctuation marks, guiding pupils to choose the correct one. The teacher then dictates a few simple sentences, emphasizing where punctuation should be used, and asks pupils to write them in their notebooks.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils help to fill in the correct punctuation marks on the board and then write the dictated sentences in their notebooks, using the appropriate punctuation.
Learning Point: Pupils practice applying punctuation marks correctly in simple written sentences.

Step 6: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Give two examples of present actions and their past forms.
2. Ask a question using ‘What’ and provide a simple answer.
3. What is the name of this punctuation mark (?) and when do we use it?
4. Write a simple sentence and put a full stop at the end.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: [Included in Step 6 & 7]
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarizes the key points of the lesson on present/past actions, asking questions, and using punctuation marks. The teacher assigns homework which involves writing five simple sentences and using the correct punctuation marks.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary, ask any remaining questions, and copy down the homework assignment.
Learning Point: The lesson is reinforced, and pupils have tasks to practice their learning.

Home Task: Write two correct English sentences that demonstrate the main language skill in Listening and Speaking, Grammatical Accuracy (Structure), Reading, Writing.

Lesson Keywords

• Present Action – An action happening now.
• Past Action – An action that has already happened.
• Question – A sentence that asks for information.
• Full Stop (.) – A punctuation mark used at the end of a telling sentence.
• Question Mark (?) – A punctuation mark used at the end of a question.
• Comma (,) – A punctuation mark used to separate items in a list or for a short pause.

Differentiation

For struggling learners, the teacher will provide more direct examples and one-on-one guidance, focusing on one punctuation mark or verb tense at a time. Advanced learners will be encouraged to create longer sentences or more complex questions and answers, and to identify punctuation marks in short stories.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure to use clear and simple language appropriate for Primary 1 pupils. Visual aids are very important for this age group, so make sure flashcards and charts are colourful and easy to see. Encourage active participation through repetition, pair work, and interactive questioning to reinforce learning across all four skill areas.