Three Prairie provinces

Part B: Building sentences

Find a list of all of the grammar-based activities on this website.

Introducing the topic

In this part of the lesson, we’re going to work on creating short sentences from the vocabulary we learned in Part A.

To help us, we’ll focus on:

• Verb tenses, especially the present simple form of the verb “to be.”
• Subjects, verbs, and objects, and how these help us to create sentences.

Skill-building and skill-using activities

Verb tenses: Present simple tense of the verb “to be”

English uses verbs (action words) to talk about the past, present, and future.

Today, we’re going to talk about a verb tense that describes:

• What is usually true.
• Happens often.
• Is part of your daily life or routine.

This kind of verb is called the present simple verb tense. Does anyone know how to use and make this verb tense?

Some present simple verbs form a bit differently. Let’s look at the verb “to be.”

Let’s practice!

• Making the present simple tense of the verb “to be”*
• Complete the present simple form of the verb “to be”*
• Present simple “to be” explainer* (A more detailed explanation of the present simple verb tense of “to be.” You can teach this in class or send it home with your students.)

Word order in English sentences

Today, we’ll also look at three important parts of English sentences:

• What is a subject?
• What is a verb?
• What is an object?

Let’s practice!

• Quick definitions: Subjects, verbs, and objects*
• Unjumble the sentences* (See if you can find the subjects, verbs, and objects in the sentences. Use this information to form the correct sentence order.)
• Create sentences in subject/verb/object order* (See if you can find the subjects, verbs, and objects in the sentences. Use this information to form the correct sentence order.)

• Subject/verb/object explainer* (A more detailed explanation that you can teach in class or send home with your students.)

Assessment/review tasks

• Three Prairie Provinces*🎥 (Watch a story using the lesson vocabulary and grammar points.)

• Three Prairie Provinces: Reading passage and comprehension questions* 🔊 (Read the story, and identify the lesson’s grammar points.)

Part C: Reflection questions

• Any questions about what we learned today?
• Did you learn anything new today?
• Can you tell me one or two facts about each of Canada’s three Prairie Provinces?
• Have you travelled to other provinces in Canada?
• Has anyone visited the Prairie provinces? What was your experience like?
• What parts of the Prairie provinces do not look like flat prairie land?
• Do you have a favourite province?
• What does your home country look like?
• What does your home country produce?
• Do you have areas in your home countries that are similar to Canada’s Prairie provinces? What kind of work do people do in those areas?
• What do people grow in the main farming areas in your home countries?