Let’s Talk About Verbs!

by Emma Stack

Joined Sep 2021
Published Books 1

Introduction to Topic

The topic of verbs is something that many students feel they have a good grasp on. However, it is much more than “an action word,” as many of our students are taught from an early age. This lesson, which is designed for late middle school to early high school, will give students a deeper insight into different types of verbs, as well as different tenses.

Includes: Definitions and examples of verbs, bright and engaging images, an easily navigable chart, a video, discussion questions, and a fun activity.

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Learning Objectives

After this lesson, students will be able to:

Understand different types of verbs and be able to define them (action verbs versus linking verbs)
Distinguish between the twelve tenses of verbs
Recognize verbs in everyday vernacular (for example, in songs)

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What Is a Verb?

The majority of verbs are considered action words:
- Run, walk, skip, jump, etc.
  - Example: The boys walk to school.
However, verbs can also illustrate a mental action:
- Think, plan, consider, etc.
  - Example: She planned out her schedule.
These are all considered action verbs.

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Let’s Talk About Verbs! by Emma Stack - Ourboox.com

What Is a Tense?

A verb tense refers to the time at which the action took place
There are six main verb tenses
- Past perfect, past, present perfect, present, future perfect, future
Verb tenses allow us to be more specific about the actions we are describing and make for much livelier sentences
- I ran to the bus
- I run to the bus
- I will run to the bus
Verb tenses are something that we use every day without even realizing

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Verb Tense Chart!

VERB TENSE	PRESENT	PAST	FUTURE
SIMPLE	I walk to school.	I walked to school.	I will walk to school.
PERFECT	I have walked to school.	I had walked to school.	I will have walked to school.
PROGRESSIVE	I am walking to school.	I was walking to school.	I will be walking to school.
PERFECT PROGRESSIVE	I have been walking to school.	I had been walking to school.	I will have been walking to school.

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Discussion Questions

What do you like to do in your free time?

When answering this question, your response must be in the present tense
Answer using one sentence

Using your response from the previous question, convert that response into the past tense

Hint– think about the question in the past tense
What did you like to do in your free time?

Using this same response, convert it into the future tense

Again, think about the question in the future tense
What will you like to do in your free time?

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Your Turn!

Using the handout with Michael Jackson’s iconic song “Man in the Mirror,” circle all verbs that you see.
Next, go back and identify the tenses of each verb
- Feel free to reference our verb chart if you need help : )
Once you are finished, place your paper on my desk at the front of the room

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I’m gonna make a change
For once in my life
It’s gonna feel real good
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right

As I, turn up the collar on
My favorite winter coat
This wind is blowing my mind

I see the kids in the streets
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind?
Pretending not to see their needs

A summer disregard, a broken bottle top
And a one man soul
They follow each other on the wind ya’ know
‘Cause they got nowhere to go
That’s why I want you to know

I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
Na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na, na-na

I’ve been a victim of a selfish kind of love
It’s time that I realize
That there are some with no home, not a nickel to loan
Could it be really me, pretending that they’re not alone?

A willow deeply scarred, somebody’s broken heart
And a washed-out dream
They follow the pattern of the wind ya’ see
‘Cause they got no place to be
That’s why I’m starting with me

I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change

I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could’ve been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make that
Change!

I’m starting with the man in the mirror
(Oh yeah!)
I’m asking him to change his ways
(Better change!)
No message could’ve been any clearer

If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make the change
You gotta get it right, while you got the time
You can’t close your, your mind!

That man, that man (With the man in the mirror)
That man, that man (Oh, yeah!)
That man, that man (I’m asking him to change his ways)
That man (Better change!)

No message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make the change

Na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na, na-na
Gonna feel real good
Na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na, na-na

I’m gonna make a change
It’s gonna feel real good!
Chime on!
(Change)

Just lift yourself
You know
You’ve got to stop it
Yourself!

I’ve got to make that change, today!
Hoo!
(Man in the mirror)

You got to
You got to not let yourself
Brother
Hoo!

You know, I’ve got to get
That man, that man
(Man in the mirror)

You’ve got to move! Chime on!
Chime on!
You got to

Stand up! Stand up! Stand up!
(Yeah! Make that change)
Stand up and lift yourself, now!
(Man in the mirror)

You know it!
You know it!
You know it!
You know it!

Make that change

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