asking questions in PRESENT SIMPLE

While presenting the principles PRESENT SIMPLE, teachers take this opportunity to introduce wh-questions to the class. One of the most common grammar exercise to master the subject is of course classical asking questions about particular (underlined) parts of a sentence. Let me show you a fun alternative or addition to it - a good old-fashioned tic-tac-toe.

SPEAKING

The class is divided into two teams. One team is a cross (x), the other is a circle (o). They are asked to put their symbol in a diagram below which may be drawn on the board. To do that they need to make a Present Simple question using a word/phrase in a space they have chosen. If their sentence is correct, they may draw their symbol in a chosen place. In addition you may ask the students to answer the questions they create.

What?	Where?	How?
Why?	How often?	Whose?
How much?	Who?	When?

The aim of the game is to get a sequence of three same symbols in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line. the team which does it first is a winner. Look at the example.

talking about DAILY ROUTINES

Talking about DAILY ROUTINES tends to be as routines themselves - mechanical and boring. You can explore this topic in a slightly more attractive way using a simple game which allows you to practice both vocabulary and Present Simple Tense.

SPEAKING
Write the phrase DAILY ROUTINES in big capital letters in the middle of the board. Tell the students that they will now fill in the words in a crosswords (only down, across is not permitted). The students are only allowed to use verbs referring to everyday activities. Look at the example below.

                                        S
                                        L  
D A I L Y R O U T I N E S 
                                        E
                                        P

After using all the letters in the crosswords, the students make Present Simple sentences with the verbs they used to complete it, e.g. I always sleep long at weekends.