English // Grammar & Punctuation
Consistent verb tense
Recognise and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense within and across sentences and paragraphs, maintaining consistency unless a shift is required by meaning
Quick check
If you read back a paragraph the learner has written and it unexpectedly switches from past tense to present tense mid-way through, can they spot the shift and correct it so the tense stays consistent?
Ask this to see whether the topic is secure.
Topic // Mastery
What mastery looks like
- Identify and correct unnecessary tense shifts in a given paragraph
- Edit own writing to ensure consistent tense use throughout a narrative
- Explain when a tense shift is appropriate such as when describing a flashback
Topic // Map
Where this fits
- RequiredMust come first
- HelpfulHelps, but not essential
Before this
3 topics- Simple Past, Present and FutureRequired
Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 8 to 9
Correcting inappropriate tense shifts requires secure use of simple past, present, and future tenses
Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 10 to 11
Correcting tense shifts requires understanding tense use
Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 9 to 10
Recognising tense shifts is enriched by knowledge of progressive tenses, which are a common source of unintentional shifts
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Consistent verb tense
Ages 10 to 11 // Method
Leads to
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Topic // Standards
Curriculum standards
- Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
- L.5.1d
English // Grammar & Punctuation
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