![Spanish - Acividad 3: "-ar" verbs / pronouns](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-srcsets/rebeccaray/acividad-3-ar-verbs---pronouns.png "Spanish - Acividad 3: "-ar" verbs / pronouns")
Activity Overview
A major undertaking in language acquisition is correct verb knowledge and usage. For a beginner Spanish students, it not enough for them to memorize the word and its definition; they must also know how it changes when used with a pronoun. This concept is strange to English speakers; most of our verbs change with tense, but not with person or number.
The best place to start in Spanish is with regular -ar, -er, and -ir ending verbs. It is essential prior knowledge for students to memorize the common endings for each subset of words. Once students learn the conjugation methods for pronouns, they can begin to describe and explain more accurately.
Students should memorize the following:
| Pronouns | Ar Verb Endings | Er Verb Endings | Ir Verb Endings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yo (I) | -o | -o | -o |
| Tú/ Usted (You/ You Formal) | -as | -es | -es |
| Él /Ella (He/She) | -a | -e | -e |
| Nosotros/as (We) | -amos | -emos | -imos |
| Vosotros/as (You Pl. Spain) | -áis | -éis | -ís |
| Ustedes/Ellos/Ellas (Masculine/Feminine Plural) | -an | -en | -en |
Using Storyboard That, students can practice their conjugation by creating and writing scenarios using present tense verbs. Again, the teachers can start by creating a storyboard or template, and ask students to complete it by placing the appropriate dialogue in the text bubbles, or students can create their own from scratch.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that illustrates a scenario using present tense verbs.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Choose a verb and write the various pronouns in the title boxes.
- Write the correct conjugations in the description boxes.
- Create an illustration for each scenario using dialogue and appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The descriptions are clear and at least two sentences. | The descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear. | The descriptions are unclear and are not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the descriptions using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the descriptions, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the descriptions. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
Activity Overview
A major undertaking in language acquisition is correct verb knowledge and usage. For a beginner Spanish students, it not enough for them to memorize the word and its definition; they must also know how it changes when used with a pronoun. This concept is strange to English speakers; most of our verbs change with tense, but not with person or number.
The best place to start in Spanish is with regular -ar, -er, and -ir ending verbs. It is essential prior knowledge for students to memorize the common endings for each subset of words. Once students learn the conjugation methods for pronouns, they can begin to describe and explain more accurately.
Students should memorize the following:
| Pronouns | Ar Verb Endings | Er Verb Endings | Ir Verb Endings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yo (I) | -o | -o | -o |
| Tú/ Usted (You/ You Formal) | -as | -es | -es |
| Él /Ella (He/She) | -a | -e | -e |
| Nosotros/as (We) | -amos | -emos | -imos |
| Vosotros/as (You Pl. Spain) | -áis | -éis | -ís |
| Ustedes/Ellos/Ellas (Masculine/Feminine Plural) | -an | -en | -en |
Using Storyboard That, students can practice their conjugation by creating and writing scenarios using present tense verbs. Again, the teachers can start by creating a storyboard or template, and ask students to complete it by placing the appropriate dialogue in the text bubbles, or students can create their own from scratch.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that illustrates a scenario using present tense verbs.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Choose a verb and write the various pronouns in the title boxes.
- Write the correct conjugations in the description boxes.
- Create an illustration for each scenario using dialogue and appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The descriptions are clear and at least two sentences. | The descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear. | The descriptions are unclear and are not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the descriptions using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the descriptions, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the descriptions. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
How Tos about -ar, -er, and -ir Verbos - Conjugating Verbs
Introduce Regular Verb Conjugation Games to Reinforce Learning
Boost student engagement by incorporating fun, interactive games that reinforce regular -ar, -er, and -ir verb conjugations. These activities help students practice forms in a memorable way and encourage active participation.
Select or create a simple conjugation game for your class
Choose a classroom-friendly game such as Bingo, Conjugation Relay, or Memory Match using regular verbs. Personalize the game with verbs your students are learning for extra relevance and excitement.
Prepare verb cards or digital slides with pronouns and verb forms
Make sets of cards or slides that show Spanish pronouns and regular verbs in their infinitive form. Include blank spaces for students to fill in the correct conjugations during the game.
Explain the game rules and model a round with the class
Clearly state the objectives and rules before beginning. Demonstrate how to play a sample round so students see how to match pronouns to correct verb endings.
Monitor student participation and celebrate correct answers
Encourage every student to participate and praise correct conjugations. Use class discussion to highlight tricky forms and clarify common mistakes for everyone’s benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions about -ar, -er, and -ir Verbos - Conjugating Verbs
What are the differences between -ar, -er, and -ir verb endings in Spanish conjugation?
-ar, -er, and -ir verbs in Spanish have different endings for each pronoun. For example, the 'yo' form ends in -o for all three, but other forms use -as/-es, -a/-e, etc. Learning these endings is key to correct conjugation.
How do you teach regular Spanish verb conjugation to beginners?
Start by introducing pronouns and their matching verb endings for -ar, -er, and -ir verbs. Use visual aids or storyboards to show examples, and practice by creating sentences or dialogues with students.
What is the best way for students to practice conjugating Spanish verbs in class?
The most effective way is through interactive activities like creating storyboards, role-playing dialogues, and filling in verb charts. These methods help students apply conjugations in real contexts.
Why do Spanish verbs change endings based on the pronoun?
Spanish verbs change endings to indicate who is performing the action. This helps clarify subject–verb agreement, which is different from English where verb forms are usually the same for most pronouns.
Can you give examples of regular -ar, -er, and -ir verb conjugations in the present tense?
Yes! For example: hablar (-ar): yo hablo, tú hablas; comer (-er): yo como, tú comes; vivir (-ir): yo vivo, tú vives.
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