Are you searching for an innovative way to help your ESL students practice the Simple Past Tense? Look no further! This post introduces a concise, visually engaging video activity designed to reinforce full sentence responses and boost student engagement. At just 3 minutes and 41 seconds, it’s the perfect addition to your lesson plan.
The Power of Visual Learning in Grammar Practice
This 3:41 video packs a punch with 10 Simple Past Tense practice questions, plus two initial examples. What sets it apart? Each question comes with visual clues depicting the actions, helping students forge stronger connections between language and real-life scenarios.
Video Structure Breakdown
- Two example questions with answers (setting the stage)
- 10 practice questions, each following this pattern:
- Question presentation (e.g., “What did Paul do at the club last Saturday?”)
- Visual clues showcasing the action
- Ample response time for students
- Display of the correct answer (“He played tennis at the club last Saturday.”)
Questions Covered in the Video
- Paul’s club activity last Saturday
- Their Friday morning activities
- Lee’s school activity last Monday
- Shayla’s activity last month
- Their park activities last weekend
- The girls’ Friday activities
- James’ weekend activities
- Earl’s activity a month ago
- Your parents’ activities last year
- Their last vacation activities
Implementing the Video in Your ESL Lesson
Transform your grammar lesson with this step-by-step guide:
Step 1 (3 min)
Pre-Video Review: Briefly revisit Simple Past Tense formation and usage with your students.
Step 2 (2 min)
Video Introduction: Explain the video activity and its objectives to your class.
Step 3 (1 min)
Example Questions: ( Play the two example questions, pausing to ensure students grasp the exercise.
Step 4 (5 min)
Main Activity: Let the video play through the 10 practice questions without interruption.
Step 5 (5 min)
Post-Video Discussion: Address any questions or challenges students encountered during the activity.
Extending the Learning Experience
Take your lesson further with these engaging extension activities:
- Student-Created Questions: Have students craft their own questions and act out visual clues for classmates.
- Writing Prompts: Use video questions as springboards for short writing exercises, encouraging students to elaborate on the scenarios.
- Peer Interviews: Prompt students to ask each other similar questions about past activities, incorporating gestures or quick sketches as clues.
Enhance Your Lesson with Song-Based Activities
Complement this video activity with these music-driven lesson plans focusing on the Simple Past Tense:
These musical activities offer additional auditory and kinesthetic learning opportunities, reinforcing the visual and grammatical elements practiced in the video.
Explore More Grammar Practice Videos
Did you find this Simple Past Tense video helpful? Discover more grammar practice videos on various topics, designed to make grammar instruction more engaging and effective:
- Passive Forms of Gerunds and Infinitives
- Embedded Questions
- Should or Must?
- Infinitive of Purpose
- Since or For?
- Present Continuous
Access more grammar practice videos here
Conclusion: Elevate Your Grammar Lessons
This concise, visually rich video offers an efficient approach to practicing the Simple Past Tense. By combining visual cues with grammar practice, it caters to multiple learning styles and helps students connect language with real-world actions. Designed for seamless use without pausing, it’s an invaluable tool for both classroom practice and self-study.
Incorporate this resource into your teaching toolkit and watch your students’ grasp of the Simple Past Tense flourish. Don’t forget to explore the song-based lesson plans and additional grammar practice videos for more innovative teaching ideas.
Have you tried this video activity in your classroom? Share your experience or ask questions in the comments below. Your insights can help fellow educators enhance their teaching strategies!
Song Activity Factory 