Teacher Guide
Give some examples in the present tense of 'can' and 'can't'. Then explain that the past tense of these words is 'could' and 'couldn't'. Give some examples to make this clear. For example "I couldn't swim. Then I took swimming lessons. Now I can swim." "I could run really fast when I was 10. Now I can't".
Have the students read the sentences and choose one of the options to fill the gap. Ask them to read the sentence out loud with their chosen word and see if it sounds natural and makes sense. Check that they've understood the meaning of the sentence. Give extra examples if needed. Make sure they are not confusing this 'could' with the modal verb 'could' to express possibility.
10mins - Introduction: Imagine you have just won a special award. You must give a speech discussing your achievement and what you had to do to earn this accomplishment. Give the students each a few minutes to prepare their speeches, then have them present to the class.
05mins - Review the online homework. What topics were discussed? Was the homework easy, medium or difficult? Answer any questions the students may have.
15mins - Pre-Teach: Modal verbs of probability. Discuss can, can't, could and couldn't. Ask students questions about things they can do now and things they could do when they were younger. Have each students write four sentences saying one thing they could do when they were younger, one thing they couldn't, one thing the can do now and one thing they can't.
10mins - Worksheet: 10 modal verbs (finish for homework)
15mins - Test: 10 writing practice - part 2
Discuss: How to begin an email and practice identifying keywords that inform students what information they need to address such as: what, where and when.
05mins - Warm down: what will you do this weekend?
00mins - Homework: Complete the next section of the online homework.
- Could
- couldn't
- was able to
- can
- couldn't
- couldn't
- was able to
- can't
- can't
- could