Title: Avoiding Verb Shifts in Writing

Grade Level: 9th-12th grade

Objective: - Students will understand the concept of verb shifts and why they should be avoided in writing. - Students will be able to identify and correct verb shifts in their own writing. - Students will practice writing sentences and paragraphs without verb shifts.

Materials: - Whiteboard or blackboard - Markers or chalk - Handouts with examples of verb shifts - Writing paper or notebooks - Pens or pencils

Procedure:

1. Introduction (10 minutes) a. Begin the lesson by asking students if they know what verb shifts are and why they are important to avoid in writing. b. Explain that verb shifts occur when there is a change in verb tense or form within a sentence or paragraph, which can confuse the reader and disrupt the flow of the writing. c. Emphasize the importance of maintaining consistency in verb tense throughout a piece of writing to ensure clarity and coherence.

2. Explanation and Examples (15 minutes) a. Provide students with handouts containing examples of verb shifts. b. Go through each example, explaining the shift in verb tense and discussing why it is incorrect. c. Encourage students to identify the correct verb tense for each example and explain why it is the appropriate choice.

3. Guided Practice (20 minutes) a. Divide the class into pairs or small groups. b. Distribute writing paper or notebooks to each group. c. Provide a list of sentences with verb shifts for each group to correct. d. Instruct students to work together to identify and correct the verb shifts in each sentence. e. Circulate around the room, providing assistance and guidance as needed.

4. Group Discussion (10 minutes) a. Bring the class back together and have each group share their corrected sentences. b. Discuss the corrections as a class, emphasizing the reasons behind the changes made. c. Address any questions or concerns that arise during the discussion.

5. Independent Practice (15 minutes) a. Instruct students to individually write a paragraph on a given topic, focusing on avoiding verb shifts. b. Encourage students to review their writing for any potential verb shifts and make necessary corrections. c. Collect the paragraphs for assessment purposes.

6. Conclusion (5 minutes) a. Recap the main points of the lesson, emphasizing the importance of avoiding verb shifts in writing. b. Provide feedback on the students’ paragraphs, highlighting areas of improvement and commendation. c. Encourage students to continue practicing and applying their knowledge of verb shifts in their future writing.

Note: The duration of each section can be adjusted based on the needs and pace of the class.