Fix Unnecessary Tense Shifts

Use Progressive Tenses first to review time clues. Then have students read The Orchard Trip aloud before marking the shifts.

Find 8 verbs that shift to the present tense in The Orchard Trip and write each in the past tense. Keep verbs in the same tense unless the time of the action really changes. The directions on the page read: This paragraph tells about the past, but 8 verbs shift to the present tense. Cross out each one and write the past tense verb above it. An answer key is included.

Yes, both. We made it for 6th Grade verbs, and the page works the same whether it lands on a kitchen table or a center rotation. At home, most families go through it together and talk the answers out loud, and that talking is where most of the learning happens with correcting verb tenses. In class it runs well as independent work while you pull a small group. Print one copy or thirty, whichever the day needs.

A progressive tense shows an action that is, was or will be going on for a while. It uses am, is, are, was, were or will be with a verb ending in ing.

Decide when the events happened, then check every verb. The Orchard Trip tells about last fall, so verbs like greets and hands should be greeted and handed.

Yes, when the time of the action really changes. The rule is to keep verbs in the same tense unless the time changes.