Lesson Plan
What Are You Doing? (-ing)
Students will be able to identify words with the suffix "-ing," understand how it changes a verb's meaning to indicate ongoing action, apply advanced spelling rules (-ie to -ying, consonant+y), and recognize "-ing" words used as nouns (gerunds).
Mastering the "-ing" suffix enhances vocabulary, improves reading comprehension, and allows for more sophisticated expression of ongoing actions, descriptions, and noun forms in speaking and writing. It builds a stronger foundation for advanced grammar.
Audience
2nd Grade (Above Grade Level)
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Direct instruction, interactive slides with advanced rules, guided practice, and independent application with challenge questions.
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the What Are You Doing? (-ing) Slide Deck and become familiar with the new advanced content and rules.
- Read through the Teacher Script: What Are You Doing? (-ing) to prepare for delivery, focusing on the new discussion points for advanced rules.
- Print copies of the Worksheet: Add the -ing! for each student.
- Prepare the Warm Up: What's Happening? and Cool Down: I Am Doing! activities.
- Have the Worksheet Answer Key: Add the -ing! handy for quick checking and to guide discussions on challenging questions.
Step 1
Warm Up: What's Happening?
5 minutes
- Begin the lesson with the Warm Up: What's Happening? activity.
- Engage students by asking them to describe what they are doing right now, or what they see happening around them, encouraging them to use more complex "-ing" words.
- Guide them to notice words that end with "-ing" and discuss their initial observations about how these words function.
Step 2
Introduction to -ing (Slide Deck & Script)
10 minutes
- Present the What Are You Doing? (-ing) Slide Deck using a smartboard or projector.
- Follow the Teacher Script: What Are You Doing? (-ing) to introduce the concept of the "-ing" suffix, including its use for ongoing actions, as a descriptive word, and as a noun (gerund).
- Explain basic and advanced spelling rules, using examples on the slides and encouraging student discussion on why these rules apply.
Step 3
Guided Practice: Let's Do It Together!
5 minutes
- Use the interactive elements in the What Are You Doing? (-ing) Slide Deck for guided practice, including the more challenging examples and rules.
- Ask students to help identify base words, apply the correct spelling changes, and form new words, actively discussing the reasoning behind each rule.
- Encourage class discussion and participation, reinforcing all learned rules and their exceptions.
Step 4
Independent Practice: Add the -ing!
7 minutes
- Distribute the Worksheet: Add the -ing! to each student.
- Instruct students to complete the worksheet independently, adding the "-ing" suffix to given base words, applying all learned spelling rules, and using them in detailed sentences. Encourage them to attempt the bonus challenge.
- Circulate around the room to provide support, answer questions, and prompt deeper thinking. The Worksheet Answer Key: Add the -ing! can be used to check their work and facilitate peer review if time allows.
Step 5
Cool Down: I Am Doing!
3 minutes
- Conclude the lesson with the Cool Down: I Am Doing! activity.
- Ask students to reflect on what they learned, sharing a new rule they discovered, an example of an "-ing" word used as a noun, or a complex sentence using an "-ing" word.
- Collect worksheets for review, potentially selecting interesting examples from the bonus challenge to share with the class.
Slide Deck
What Are You Doing? (-ing)
Let's master a super versatile word ending!
Welcome students and introduce the day's topic in an exciting way. Ask them to think about what they are doing right now, perhaps challenging them to use a more complex '-ing' word.
What is -ing?
The suffix "-ing" can tell us an action is happening right now, or it can even turn a verb into a describing word or a naming word!
Explain that '-ing' indicates an ongoing action, a continuous state, or even turns a verb into a noun (gerund). Introduce the concept of a suffix changing meaning and function.
Review: Walk + ing = Walking
Base word: Walk (The action)
Add -ing to show it's happening now!
Walk + ing = Walking (Happening right now!)
Revisit the basic rule. Emphasize 'base word' and how '-ing' indicates present continuous tense.
More Common -ing Words!
- Read + ing = Reading
- Sing + ing = Singing
- Jump + ing = Jumping
- Eat + ing = Eating
Provide more examples, encouraging students to consider sentences where these words are used.
Practice Our Rules! Add -ing!
Play + ing = Playing
Run + ing = Running (Why do we double the 'n'?)
Talk + ing = Talking
Sit + ing = Sitting (Why do we double the 't'?)
Dance + ing = Dancing (Why do we drop the 'e'?)
Engage students in guided practice, reviewing the doubling and dropping 'e' rules. Ask them to explain why these rules apply.
Advanced -ing Challenges!
Some tricky words have special rules:
- Words ending in -ie (like lie): Change -ie to -y before adding -ing.
Lie + ing = Lying - Words ending in a consonant + y (like study): Just add -ing!
Study + ing = Studying - Sometimes '-ing' words can be nouns! (e.g., Reading is my favorite hobby.)
Introduce more advanced rules for words ending in 'ie' and 'y', and possibly gerunds. Challenge students to apply these.
Your Turn! Time to Be an -ing Expert!
Now, use everything you've learned to complete your worksheet!
Think carefully about the rules and exceptions. Challenge yourself!
Introduce the worksheet, highlighting that it includes new challenges. Encourage independent problem-solving and critical thinking.
Script
Teacher Script: What Are You Doing? (-ing)
Warm Up: What's Happening? (5 minutes)
"Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going on a linguistic adventure! Before we begin, let's play a game called 'What's Happening?'. I want you to observe our classroom, or reflect on your journey to school this morning, and tell me one action that is happening or was happening."
"For example, I am presenting this lesson. Or, I was contemplating the weather on my way here. What are you currently doing, or what did you observe occurring? Share with your elbow partner for a few seconds, trying to use interesting '-ing' words!"
"Fantastic observations, everyone! You used some really excellent words ending with '-ing'! Words like presenting, contemplating, and occurring. Today, we're going to delve deeper into the fascinating world of the '-ing' suffix and discover all the ways it can transform our language!"
Introduction to -ing (Slide Deck & Script) (10 minutes)
"Alright, let's prepare to expand our knowledge about a truly dynamic word ending! Take a look at our first slide! [Refer to What Are You Doing? (-ing) Slide Deck - Slide 1]."
"Today, we're going to become proficient in using the special suffix called -ing. Can everyone articulate 'ing' with me? Let's hear it clearly: ing!"
"Excellent! Now, let's explore the versatility of -ing. [Refer to What Are You Doing? (-ing) Slide Deck - Slide 2]
"The suffix -ing is quite remarkable. While it often tells us something is happening right now – a continuous action – it can also perform other linguistic feats! It can turn a verb into a descriptive word or even a noun!"
"For instance, if I say 'I swim,' it's just an action. But if I say 'I am swimming,' it means the action is in progress. Can everyone imagine they are swimming for a moment? You are demonstrating an ongoing action! How can 'swimming' also be a noun? (Allow students to discuss, guiding them to examples like 'Swimming is good exercise.')"
"Let's quickly review the core concept. [Refer to What Are You Doing? (-ing) Slide Deck - Slide 3]
"Our base word, Walk, represents the fundamental action. By adding our suffix -ing, we indicate that the action is current. So, Walk + -ing becomes Walking! This confirms the action is actively happening now."
"Let's reinforce with more examples. [Refer to What Are You Doing? (-ing) Slide Deck - Slide 4]
"Who can interpret the first transformation? Read + ing = Reading! Precisely! If you are reading a captivating story, you are engaged in that action in the present moment. How would you show someone you are reading?"
"Next? Sing + ing = Singing! Envision a performer singing on stage – the melody is unfolding right then. Can you gently hum a tune? You are singing!"
"Consider Jump + ing = Jumping! If you are jumping hurdles, that action is occurring now. Let's do a quick, energetic jump! We are jumping!"
"And finally, Eat + ing = Eating! You are eating your favorite snack. It's an active process! Illustrate with your hands how you would pretend to be eating!"
"Excellent work with these foundational examples! Always remember, -ing signifies an action in progress!"
Guided Practice: Let's Do It Together! (5 minutes)
"You're all displaying an impressive grasp of this concept! Now, let's engage in some collaborative practice. [Refer to What Are You Doing? (-ing) Slide Deck - Slide 5]
"Examine the word: Play. If this action is ongoing, what word do we form by adding -ing? Let's respond collectively: Playing! Superb! Spell it with me: P-L-A-Y-I-N-G, Playing!"
"Next is Run. This word presents a specific spelling rule. Can anyone explain why we double the 'n' before adding -ing? (Pause for student responses, guiding them to the CVC rule.) That's right! When a short word ends in a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern, we often double the final consonant. So, Run becomes Running! R-U-N-N-I-N-G. Outstanding recall of that critical rule!"
"How about Talk? What is the resulting word? Talking! Perfectly done. Simply add -ing. T-A-L-K-I-N-G, Talking!"
"And another word requiring our doubling rule: Sit. What transpires here? Precisely, it becomes Sitting! S-I-T-T-I-N-G. We doubled the 't'! Say Sitting!"
"Finally, Dance. This word ends in an 'e'. What's our rule for words ending in 'e' before adding '-ing'? (Allow students to respond.) Correct! We drop the silent 'e'! So, Dance becomes Dancing! D-A-N-C-I-N-G. You're all adept at applying these rules!"
Advanced -ing Challenges! (5 minutes)
"You're demonstrating a strong understanding of the core rules! Now, let's explore some more advanced applications of the '-ing' suffix. [Refer to What Are You Doing? (-ing) Slide Deck - Slide 6]
"Look at words ending in -ie, like lie. If we want to show someone is lying down, what happens to the '-ie'? We change the -ie to -y before adding -ing! So, Lie becomes Lying! Can anyone think of another word like 'lie' that would follow this rule? (e.g., die -> dying, tie -> tying)."
"Now, consider words ending in a consonant followed by y, like study. Does the 'y' change? No, it just stays put! We simply add -ing to make Studying! Can you explain why 'play' (p-l-ay) and 'study' (st-ud-y) follow this rule, even though 'run' doubled its 'n'? (Guide students to differentiate between vowel before 'y' vs. consonant before 'y', and the CVC rule)."
"And finally, as we briefly discussed earlier, sometimes -ing words can function as nouns. For example, 'I enjoy reading.' Here, reading is the object of the verb 'enjoy.' This is called a gerund. Can you create a sentence where an '-ing' word is used as a noun? (Allow students to share examples.)"
Independent Practice: Add the -ing! (7 minutes)
"Exceptional work, everyone! You've navigated both the fundamental and advanced aspects of the -ing suffix. Now, it's time to apply your comprehensive knowledge! [Refer to What Are You Doing? (-ing) Slide Deck - Slide 7]
"I'm distributing the Worksheet: Add the -ing!. This worksheet includes a mix of words, some requiring the basic rules, and others requiring our newer, more complex rules. Your task is to add -ing to each base word, considering all the spelling changes we discussed, and then integrate the new word into a complete sentence. Remember to challenge yourselves to use precise language!"
"I will read the instructions aloud for anyone who wishes to follow along. If you encounter a question or need clarification, please raise your hand, and I will provide assistance. I have full confidence in your abilities!"
Cool Down: I Am Doing! (3 minutes)
"Alright, please set your pencils down, future linguists. You've completed an outstanding job on your worksheets!"
"To conclude our lesson today, I want each of you to articulate one new insight you gained about the -ing suffix, or construct a sentence using an -ing word that demonstrates a new rule or usage you learned. I'll initiate: I am appreciating your keen efforts and insightful questions today! Turn and articulate to your partner one new discovery you made about '-ing' words!"
"Brilliant sharing, everyone! You are all continuously learning and advancing your understanding! Remember that -ing is a powerful tool for describing ongoing actions, and it can even create new parts of speech! Keep an astute eye out for these versatile words when you are analyzing your texts!"
"You may now submit your worksheets if you haven't already. Tremendous work today!"
Warm Up
Warm Up: What's Happening?
Instructions: Think about what you are doing right now! Or, think about something you saw happening on your way to school this morning.
Write down one word that tells us about an action happening in this moment.
Example: I am sitting here.
Example: The birds are singing outside.
Your Turn: What is one action word you can think of that ends with the "-ing" sound?
Worksheet
Worksheet: Add the -ing!
Name: _________________________
Instructions: Add "-ing" to each base word. Be careful with tricky spelling changes! Then, use the new word in a detailed sentence.
Example:
Walk
New word: Walking
Sentence: The energetic dog is happily walking in the park.
-
Look
New word: ____________________
Sentence: -
Play
New word: ____________________
Sentence: -
Run (Remember: double the last letter if it follows a short vowel and a single consonant!)
New word: ____________________
Sentence: -
Sing
New word: ____________________
Sentence: -
Sit (Remember: double the last letter if it follows a short vowel and a single consonant!)
New word: ____________________
Sentence: -
Read
New word: ____________________
Sentence: -
Talk
New word: ____________________
Sentence: -
Dance (Remember: drop the 'e' before adding -ing!)
New word: ____________________
Sentence: -
Lie (Challenge: What happens to words ending in -ie?)
New word: ____________________
Sentence: -
Study (Challenge: What happens to words ending in a consonant + y?)
New word: ____________________
Sentence:
Bonus Challenge: Below, write a sentence where an "-ing" word is used as a noun. (Hint: "_________ is my favorite activity!")
Answer Key
Worksheet Answer Key: Add the -ing!
Instructions: Add "-ing" to each base word. Then, use the new word in a detailed sentence. (Sentences will vary, but should demonstrate understanding of the '-ing' word.)
Example:
Walk
New word: Walking
Sentence: The energetic dog is happily walking in the park.
-
Look
New word: Looking
Sentence: The scientist is carefully looking through the microscope. -
Play
New word: Playing
Sentence: The children are enthusiastically playing a new game outside. -
Run (Remember: double the last letter if it follows a short vowel and a single consonant!)
New word: Running
Sentence: The athlete is swiftly running towards the finish line. -
Sing
New word: Singing
Sentence: The choir is beautifully singing a complex harmony. -
Sit (Remember: double the last letter if it follows a short vowel and a single consonant!)
New word: Sitting
Sentence: My grandmother is comfortably sitting by the warm fireplace. -
Read
New word: Reading
Sentence: I am eagerly reading an exciting adventure novel. -
Talk
New word: Talking
Sentence: The students are quietly talking about their project ideas. -
Dance (Remember: drop the 'e' before adding -ing!)
New word: Dancing
Sentence: She is gracefully dancing across the polished ballroom floor. -
Lie (Challenge: What happens to words ending in -ie?)
New word: Lying
Sentence: The tired cat is quietly lying in a sunbeam. -
Study (Challenge: What happens to words ending in a consonant + y?)
New word: Studying
Sentence: He is diligently studying for his upcoming science test.
Bonus Challenge: Below, write a sentence where an "-ing" word is used as a noun. (Hint: "_________ is my favorite activity!")
Example: Swimming is my favorite way to stay active.
Example: Writing a story can be very creative and fun.
Cool Down
Cool Down: I Am Doing!
Instructions: Think about our lesson today. What is one new word you learned that ends with "-ing"? Or, write a sentence using a word that ends with "-ing"!
Example: I am learning a lot!