Activities to Teach Students to Identify and Correct Inappropriate Shifts in Verb Tense
![](https://dev.theedadvocate.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/teacher-greenboard-1-660x400.jpg)
Verb tense can be a tricky concept for students to master because it requires an understanding of both grammar rules and context. One common issue that arises is inappropriate shifts in verb tense, where the writer shifts from one tense to another without a clear reason or justification. This can make a paragraph or essay confusing and difficult to follow, so it’s important to teach students how to identify and correct these errors. Here are some activities to help students improve their verb tense skills:
1. Highlighting shifts:
Provide students with a short text or paragraph that contains inappropriate shifts in verb tense. Ask them to read through the text and highlight or underline any verbs that change tense from the past to the present or vice versa. Once they have identified the shifts, ask them to rewrite the text using consistent verb tense throughout.
2. Charting verb tenses:
Create a chart that lists the different verb tenses (present, past, future, present perfect, past perfect, etc.) and provides examples of each. Ask students to fill in the chart with examples of verbs that fit each tense. This will help them visualize how verb tense works and how it can be used to provide clarity and consistency in writing.
3. Peer review:
In pairs or small groups, students can exchange writing samples and look for inappropriate shifts in verb tense. They can then work together to identify the problem areas and suggest ways to correct them. This encourages collaboration and gives students the opportunity to practice their editing skills.
4. Sentence scramble:
Create a list of sentences that contain inappropriate shifts in verb tense. Cut the sentences into strips and mix them up. Ask students to work in pairs or groups to put the sentences in the correct order and identify the verb tense shifts. This activity can be fun and engaging, while also reinforcing the importance of using consistent verb tense.
5. Storyboarding:
Provide students with a short story or narrative that contains inappropriate shifts in verb tense. Ask them to create a storyboard or visual representation of the story using illustrations or images. As they work on the storyboard, encourage them to focus on the verb tense and how it changes throughout the story. This activity helps students see how verb tense affects the overall narrative flow and can provide a useful visual tool for understanding the concept.
In summary, teaching students how to identify and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense is an important part of improving their writing skills. By using a variety of activities and strategies, teachers can help students develop the ability to use verb tense consistently and effectively to communicate their ideas clearly and concisely.