Question Tag Responses, Past Perfect Tense, Poem and Drama Reading and Poem Writing for Primary 4

Class: Primary 4
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 2
Age: 9 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: English Language Studies
Curriculum Theme: English Language Studies
Previous Lesson: Question Tags, Present Perfect Tense, Text Types and Sequential Writing.
Topic: Aspects of English Language: Speech, Grammar, Reading, and Writing
Subject Matter: Speech: Using question tags and appropriate responses; Grammatical Accuracy: Past perfect tense in sentences; Reading: Reading poems and drama to identify differences; Writing: Writing poems on simple topics.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

• Define question tags.
• Identify the past perfect tense in sentences.
• State at least two differences between poems and drama.
• Recall elements of a simple poem.

Affective Domain:

• Show interest in using correct grammar in their speech and writing.
• Appreciate the beauty and structure of poetry and drama.

Psychomotor Domain:

• Construct sentences using question tags and appropriate responses.
• Formulate sentences correctly using the past perfect tense.
• Read short poems and drama passages with expression.
• Write a short poem on a simple given topic.

Social Domain:

• Participate actively in class discussions about literary forms.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Primary Schools.
• State Unified Scheme of Work for Primary 4.
• Macmillan Primary English for Primary 4.
• Universal Basic Education English Language Textbook for Primary 4.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Charts showing examples of question tags.
• Flash cards with verbs for past perfect tense formation.
• Textbooks containing poems and short drama excerpts.
• Pupils’ notebooks and writing materials.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils to improve their communication skills by using correct grammar in speech and writing. It also introduces them to different forms of literature, helping them to understand and appreciate stories and artistic expressions in their daily lives.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are expected to have basic knowledge of parts of speech, simple tenses, and different types of sentences from previous lessons.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Aspects of English Language

Question Tags

A question tag is a short question added to the end of a statement. It is used to ask for confirmation or to check if something is true.

Examples of question tags and responses:

• You are a pupil, aren’t you? Yes, I am.
• She can sing, can’t she? No, she can’t.
• He likes mangoes, doesn’t he? Yes, he does.
• They went to school, didn’t they? No, they didn’t.

Past Perfect Tense

The past perfect tense describes an action that happened before another action in the past. It is formed using ‘had’ + the past participle of the main verb.

Examples of sentences using the past perfect tense:

• The train had left before we arrived at the station.
• She had finished her homework when her mother called.
• They had eaten dinner by the time I got home.
• He had never seen a lion before he visited the zoo.

Poems and Drama

Poems and drama are forms of literature that use language to express ideas and tell stories, but they have key differences.

The following are differences between poems and drama:

• Poems: Often use rhyming words, stanzas, and figurative language to express feelings or ideas. They are usually read aloud or silently.
• Drama: Written to be performed on a stage by actors. It uses dialogue, characters, and stage directions to tell a story.

Writing Simple Poems

A simple poem expresses feelings or describes something using descriptive words, rhythm, and sometimes rhyme. It can be short and focus on a single idea or object.

Steps to write a simple poem:

• Choose a simple topic (e.g., a flower, a pet, rain).
• Think of words that describe the topic.
• Try to make some lines rhyme, but it is not always necessary for a simple poem.
• Arrange the words into short lines or stanzas.

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 and asks them if they know how to confirm information from someone, like asking “You are happy, aren’t you?”. The teacher also reminds them about past actions and asks them if they have ever read a story that rhymes or one that can be acted out.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and share their ideas.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the various topics to be covered in the lesson.

Step 2: Presentation of Question Tags

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what question tags are, their purpose, and how to form them with appropriate responses. The teacher uses charts and gives examples on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, observe the examples, and practice forming simple question tags with their classmates.
Learning Point: Pupils learn to form and use question tags correctly.

Step 3: Presentation of Past Perfect Tense

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning and formation of the past perfect tense (had + past participle). The teacher provides several examples on the board and uses flash cards for past participle verbs.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the past perfect tense in example sentences and practice constructing their own sentences using different verbs.
Learning Point: Pupils understand and can apply the past perfect tense in sentences.

Step 4: Presentation of Poems and Drama

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Comparison/Reading
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher reads a short poem and a short drama excerpt from the textbook. The teacher then guides pupils to identify the differences in structure, purpose, and presentation between the two literary forms.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the readings, follow along in their textbooks, and contribute to identifying the differences between poems and drama.
Learning Point: Pupils can distinguish between poems and drama.

Step 5: Presentation of Writing Simple Poems

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guidance/Creative Writing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly explains what makes a simple poem and guides pupils on how to choose a topic and write a few lines. The teacher provides a simple topic like “My Pet” or “The Rain.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils think about a simple topic and attempt to write a few lines of a poem in their notebooks.
Learning Point: Pupils begin to develop skills in writing simple poems.

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. What is a question tag?
2. Give two examples of sentences using the past perfect tense.
3. Mention two differences between a poem and a drama.
4. What is one thing you would consider when writing a simple poem?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 7: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, emphasizing the importance of correct grammar in communication. The teacher gives pupils an assignment to write a 4-line poem about their school.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and prepare for further practice.

Home Task: Write four correct English sentences that demonstrate the main language skill in Aspects of English Language: Speech, Grammar, Reading, and Writing.

Lesson Keywords

• Question Tag – A short question added to the end of a statement.
• Past Perfect Tense – A verb tense used to describe an action completed before another past action.
• Poem – A piece of writing that expresses emotions or ideas using rhythm and often rhyme.
• Drama – A story written to be performed by actors.
• Past Participle – A form of a verb, typically ending in -ed or -en, used to form perfect tenses.

Differentiation

The teacher will provide additional support to struggling pupils by giving simpler examples and more direct guidance. Advanced pupils will be encouraged to write longer poems or create more complex sentences using the past perfect tense.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure active participation from all pupils during discussions and practice exercises. Encourage creativity in poem writing and provide constructive feedback. Visual aids are important for illustrating grammatical concepts and literary forms.