Activity Overview
Activity Includes: intermediate vocabulary and grammar
This storyboard activity is meant to highlight for students that a significant number of verbs in Spanish follow an entirely different pattern of verb conjugation in the preterite tense. These verbs use a new stem that must be memorized and a different, though similar, set of endings to other preterite verb categories. Although not a complete list, below are some of the most common new stem verbs, their new stems, and the endings that should be used. Note that the verb stems that end in “j” use a different ellos ending, and that the él form of hacer is also irregular.
In order to practice this preterite category, have students use the T-Chart layout, labeling the first column “Old Stem” and the second column “New Stem.” In the first column of cells, students will show how each verb does not use the standard stem. In the second column, students will show the change to the new stem for these verbs. For reinforcement students may also include the chart of possible endings for each verb. Next, have students use the new preterite verb in an appropriate sentence. The cell must also illustrate the meaning of the student’s sentence. The difficulty of this activity can be adjusted by specifying details for the student’s writing. The number of rows each student must complete may also be adjusted. Time allotment for this activity will vary based off specified sentence complexity and the number of verb examples requested.
| VERB | NEW PRETERITE STEM | PRETERITE ENDINGS |
|
|
|
|---|
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
Activity Includes: intermediate vocabulary and grammar
This storyboard activity is meant to highlight for students that a significant number of verbs in Spanish follow an entirely different pattern of verb conjugation in the preterite tense. These verbs use a new stem that must be memorized and a different, though similar, set of endings to other preterite verb categories. Although not a complete list, below are some of the most common new stem verbs, their new stems, and the endings that should be used. Note that the verb stems that end in “j” use a different ellos ending, and that the él form of hacer is also irregular.
In order to practice this preterite category, have students use the T-Chart layout, labeling the first column “Old Stem” and the second column “New Stem.” In the first column of cells, students will show how each verb does not use the standard stem. In the second column, students will show the change to the new stem for these verbs. For reinforcement students may also include the chart of possible endings for each verb. Next, have students use the new preterite verb in an appropriate sentence. The cell must also illustrate the meaning of the student’s sentence. The difficulty of this activity can be adjusted by specifying details for the student’s writing. The number of rows each student must complete may also be adjusted. Time allotment for this activity will vary based off specified sentence complexity and the number of verb examples requested.
| VERB | NEW PRETERITE STEM | PRETERITE ENDINGS |
|
|
|
|---|
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about Spanish Preterite: New Stem Verbs
How to introduce new stem preterite verbs with interactive games
Engage students by starting your lesson with an energetic review game, like ‘verb stem relay’ or ‘preposition charades’. Games get students moving and thinking about verb forms in a fun way—which makes new concepts less intimidating!
Create simple anchor charts for tricky new stems
Display key verbs and their new stems on colorful anchor charts in your classroom. Seeing these verbs daily helps reinforce memorization and gives students a handy visual reference during activities.
Use sentence frames to guide student writing
Provide fill-in-the-blank sentence frames using new stem verbs in the preterite tense. This scaffolds student writing and encourages them to experiment with the forms in context.
Incorporate quick partner conversations
Pair students and have them ask and answer questions using new stem preterite verbs. Short, focused dialogues build speaking confidence and reinforce the new patterns.
Assess understanding with creative exit tickets
End class by asking students to write a sentence or draw a quick comic using one new stem verb correctly. Exit tickets provide instant feedback and help you spot who needs extra support.
Frequently Asked Questions about Spanish Preterite: New Stem Verbs
What are new stem verbs in the Spanish preterite tense?
New stem verbs in the Spanish preterite tense are verbs that change their stem entirely when conjugated in the past simple (preterite). These verbs use unique stems, like tener → tuv- and hacer → hic-, and have special endings different from regular preterite verbs.
How do you conjugate Spanish preterite new stem verbs?
To conjugate new stem verbs in the preterite, change the verb to its new stem (e.g., estar → estuv-) and add the special endings: -e, -iste, -o, -imos, -isteis, -ieron (or -eron for stems ending in "j").
What is the difference between regular and new stem preterite verbs?
Regular preterite verbs keep their usual stem and follow standard endings, while new stem verbs use an entirely different stem and have unique endings, making them irregular and requiring memorization.
Which Spanish verbs have new stems in the preterite tense?
Common new stem preterite verbs include tener (tuv-), estar (estuv-), poder (pud-), hacer (hic-), poner (pus-), andar (anduv-), venir (vin-), querer (quis-), saber (sup-), caber (cup-), traer (traj-), decir (dij-), traducir (traduj-), and conducir (conduj-).
What is a simple classroom activity to practice new stem preterite verbs?
Have students use a T-Chart with columns for the old and new stems. They fill in each verb's old stem, its new preterite stem, the correct endings, and write example sentences using the new stem. This reinforces both recognition and usage.
More Storyboard That Activities
Spanish Preterite
Testimonials
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
