aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	Spanish as foreign
What age group	Year or Grade 9
What topic	present tense
Quantity	1
Any other preferences

Engaging Start to Your Spanish Lesson: Present Tense Adventure

Objective

To introduce the concept of the present tense in Spanish through an engaging and interactive storytelling activity.

Materials Needed

• A whiteboard or smart board
• Markers or chalk
• Sticky notes
• A timer
• A short, illustrated story or cartoon strip (optional)

The Adventure Scenario

Step 1: Set the Scene

Begin the lesson by dimming the lights slightly and playing a soft instrumental piece of music that evokes adventure (e.g., soundtracks from movies like "Up" or "The Lion King"). This will help create an exciting atmosphere.

Step 2: Introduce a Character

Write a short description of a character on the board, such as:

Name: Alejandro
Occupation: A brave explorer
Goal: To discover new treasures in the jungles of Costa Rica!

Step 3: Kick Off the Story

Start narrating a brief, captivating story about Alejandro. For example:

• "Alejandro lives in a small village. Every day, he explores the jungle, climbs mountains, and discovers new plants. Today, he decides to go deeper than ever before..."

Step 4: Engage the Students

Pause the story after a few sentences. Ask students to brainstorm what Alejandro might do next. Encourage them to use verbs in the present tense in their suggestions. Write their ideas on the board, and correct any verbs as needed. For example:

• "He encounters a river."
• "He finds an ancient artifact."

Step 5: Introduce Present Tense

Once you've gathered various actions, introduce the concept of the present tense by highlighting the verbs you've used. Explain that in Spanish, these actions reflect what Alejandro is currently doing.

Step 6: Interactive Activity

Hand out sticky notes and ask each student to write their own present tense verb describing an action they might do if they were in Alejandro's shoes. Encourage creativity! For example:

• "Yo nado en el río." (I swim in the river.)

After they write their verbs, have them stick their notes on the board around Alejandro's picture or description.

Conclusion

Wrap up the introduction by summarizing the importance of the present tense for describing actions happening right now. Inform students that they will continue to explore the present tense through games and activities for the rest of the lesson.

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By starting the lesson with a lively storytelling approach, students are likely to feel more engaged and connected to the topic, making the learning of the present tense both fun and memorable!