CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.1b
The Standard
Form and use the progressive (e.g., I was walking; I am walking; I will be walking) verb tenses.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
What This Standard Means
Students need to form and use progressive verb tenses in past, present, and future. They should understand that progressive tense shows an action that was, is, or will be happening over time. They need to choose the correct helping verb, like was, am, is, are, or will be, and pair it with an -ing verb.
Mastery looks like using sentences such as “She is reading” or “They were playing” correctly in speech and writing. Students often forget the helping verb, use the wrong form of be, or confuse simple past with past progressive, like “I walked” versus “I was walking.”
Ways to Teach It
- Hands-on: Give pairs verb cards and helping verb cards, then have them build past, present, and future progressive sentences on desks.
- Prompt: Write three sentences about recess, one for what was happening, one for what is happening, and one for what will be happening.
- Quick check: Say a simple verb, like jump, and have students write it in all three progressive tenses on a sticky note.
- Real world: Use a sports photo and ask students to describe what each player is doing, was doing, or will be doing.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.1b
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What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.1e
Use verbs to convey a sense of past, present, and future (e.g., Yesterday I walked home; Today I walk home; Tomorrow I will walk home).
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.1d
Form and use regular and irregular verbs.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.1e
Form and use the simple (e.g., I walked; I walk; I will walk) verb tenses.