Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Verbs: Phrasal Verbs

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

This stage of the lesson plan aims to establish the objectives that will guide the activities and discussions in class. By clearly defining what is expected of the students, the teacher can better direct the explorations and practical applications of phrasal verbs, ensuring a solid understanding and effective application of the content studied previously.

Main Objectives:

1. Empower students to recognize and differentiate the main phrasal verbs in English, understanding their meanings and contextual uses.

2. Develop the ability to apply phrasal verbs correctly and naturally in different communication situations.

Side Objectives:

1. Promote the development of students' linguistic and cultural competence through the study of phrasal verbs in real and fictional contexts.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction serves to engage students and connect the content they studied at home with practical and real situations, demonstrating the relevance of phrasal verbs in daily life. The problem situations encourage students to think critically and apply their knowledge creatively, while the contextualization highlights the cultural and linguistic importance of phrasal verbs, motivating students to explore the topic further.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine you are in a job interview and need to describe your qualities and previous experiences using phrasal verbs. How would you use 'get along with' or 'bring up' in that context?

2. Think of a dialogue between friends discussing their plans for the weekend. How could they use phrasal verbs like 'hang out' and 'catch up' to express their plans and desires?

Contextualization

Phrasal verbs are essential for fluency in English as they are frequently used in everyday situations, such as in movies, music, and informal conversations. For example, the use of 'come across' in a story can completely change the meaning of a casual encounter. Understanding these nuances not only enhances communication but also enriches cultural understanding of the language.

Development

Duration: (75 - 80 minutes)

The development stage is designed for students to apply their prior knowledge of phrasal verbs in a practical and creative way. Through playful and collaborative activities, students will have the opportunity to consolidate their understanding of phrasal verbs, as well as to develop communication, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. Each proposed activity aims to engage students in situations that simulate the real use of phrasal verbs, ensuring engaging and effective learning.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Mystery of the Lost Phrasal Verbs

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Practice the use of phrasal verbs in context, reinforcing the understanding of their meanings and applicability.

- Description: In this activity, students will be linguistic detectives who need to solve a mystery using phrasal verbs. They will receive an envelope with a partial story and a list of missing phrasal verbs, and they must complete the story using the correct phrasal verbs scattered around the room on cards.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Distribute envelopes containing the partial story and the list of missing phrasal verbs.

• Scatter the cards with the phrasal verbs around the room.

• Students must read the story and use the correct phrasal verbs to fill in the gaps.

• Each group must justify the use of each phrasal verb in the story, explaining its meaning and why they chose it.

• After completion, groups present their stories to the class.

Activity 2 - Phrasal Verbs Drama

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop oral expression and creativity skills by using phrasal verbs in a dramatic context.

- Description: Students, divided into groups, will create small theater plays where they must creatively and contextually use phrasal verbs. Each group will receive a scenario and a list of phrasal verbs to incorporate into the characters' lines and actions.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to 5 students.

• Assign each group a scenario (for example, a café, a train station, a family gathering).

• Give them a list of phrasal verbs that must be used during the play.

• Groups will have 30 minutes to prepare and rehearse the play, ensuring that the phrasal verbs are used correctly and naturally.

• Each group presents its play to the class.

• After the presentations, discuss with the class how the phrasal verbs were applied and their meaning in each context.

Activity 3 - Phrasal Verb Story Builders

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Enhance the ability to think quickly and build coherent stories using phrasal verbs.

- Description: In this activity, students will use sticky notes with phrasal verbs in English to build stories in groups. Each sticky note contains a verb and a preposition that, combined, form a phrasal verb. Students must use these phrasal verbs to create a coherent and fun narrative.

- Instructions:

• Organize students into groups of up to 5 people.

• Distribute a set of sticky notes to each group.

• Explain that each sticky note contains a phrasal verb that must be used in the story construction.

• Students must take one sticky note, use the phrasal verb in a sentence, and pass it to the next group member to continue the story.

• The activity continues until each sticky note has been used and a complete story has been created.

• Each group reads its story aloud to the class.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to allow students to articulate what they have learned, reflect on the practical use of phrasal verbs, and share their learning experiences with peers. This discussion helps consolidate acquired knowledge and identify any areas that may need further review. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for students to practice speaking and listening skills in English, essential for developing fluency.

Group Discussion

At the end of the activities, conduct a group discussion with all students. Start by asking each group to share the most interesting discoveries they made during the activities. Encourage them to discuss how the phrasal verbs were applied and what they learned about their uses in various contexts. This stage is crucial for students to reflect on what they learned and to share insights they may have missed during individual or group activities.

Key Questions

1. Which phrasal verbs were the most challenging to use and why?

2. How would you apply the learned phrasal verbs in contexts beyond the classroom?

3. Was there any phrasal verb whose meaning you found particularly interesting or that changed your perception of a common expression?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of the conclusion stage is to ensure that students have a clear and consolidated understanding of the studied phrasal verbs, as well as to understand the connection between the theory and the practice experienced in the lesson. This moment also serves to reinforce the relevance of learning phrasal verbs for effective communication in English, motivating students to continue exploring and improving these linguistically essential skills.

Summary

In the conclusion of the lesson, the teacher should summarize the main points covered about the phrasal verbs, highlighting the most common verbs and their applications in various contexts. This moment serves to reinforce learning and consolidate students' understanding of the practical use of these structures in the English language.

Theory Connection

Today's lesson was structured to connect the theory studied at home with dynamic and interactive practices in class. The proposed activities, such as the 'Mystery of the Lost Phrasal Verbs' and 'Phrasal Verbs Drama,' allowed students to directly apply theoretical knowledge in simulated and real situations, solidifying their understanding and memory of phrasal verbs.

Closing

Finally, it is essential to highlight the importance of phrasal verbs in daily life and effective communication in English. Understanding and using these structures naturally enriches not only students' vocabulary but also their capacity for expression in informal and formal contexts, such as in travel, meetings, and social interactions.