12/8/14

LAN 475 Materials Portfolio

Jackie Space

PACE Model Grammar Lesson: Stem-Changing Verbs

Content: Students will be formally introduced to stem-changing verbs. They have been exposed to some stemchanging verbs and have used them in various speaking, writing, and listening activities, but they have not been
formally introduced yet. In this lesson, they will focus on expressing opinions, plans, preferences and feelings using
stem-changing verbs.
Level: Beginner

Time: 25-30 minutes

ACTFL Standards:
1.1: Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and
exchange opinions.
1.2 Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics
1.3 Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.
4.1 Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied
and their own.
Previous Knowledge:
-

How to conjugate AR, ER, and IR verbs in the present tense

Familiar with the boot verbs: tener, costar, jugar
Vocabulary about family
Vocabulary about making plans

Learning Objectives:
-

Students will learn the rules for stem-changing verbs (e ie, o ue, e i)
Students will become familiar with the following 12 verbs: almorzar, cerrar, dormir, empezar, entender,
pensar, poder, preferir, querer, repetir, servir, volver

Communicative Objectives:
-

Students will be able to express opinions using stem-changing verbs

Students will be able to express plans using stem-changing verbs
Students will be able to express preferences using stem-changing verbs
Students will be able to express feelings using stem-changing verbs

Evaluation: Students will ask their classmates questions featuring the stem-changing verbs, and classmates will
answer with a stem-changing verb. Students will record these answers and turn them in as an exit-slip. Instructor
will also check for understanding throughout the lesson.
Materials Needed:
-

Computer
Student handout
Required daily student materials: textbook, notebook, pen/pencil

Accommodations/Adaptations:
-

Include more verbs if students seem to quickly grasp the concept

Provide the rule for the students if they appear to be severely struggling

12/8/14

LAN 475 Materials Portfolio

Jackie Space

Instructor Guidelines:
1.

2.

3.
4.
5.
6.

7.
8.
9.

(Presentation) Introduce each of the new words. Show a PowerPoint Presentation with each of the verbs
on their own slide.
a. Introduce the verb in its infinitive form at the top of the slide; include:
i. a small chart in the upper right corner that includes the conjugation in the present tense
ii. a picture of the verb
iii. and a sentence at the bottom of the slide that uses the verb in present tense, describing
the picture.
iv. (For example: the title of one slide would be dormir". The picture might be of a boy
sleeping. The caption would say El nio duerme.)
The instructor should read each slide to model pronunciation.
a. State the infinitive, then use the verb in sentence. Make sure the verb is conjugated and in the
present tense.
b. The teacher should ask questions to engage the students (i.e., Te gusta dormir? Duermes
mucho? Dnde duermes?)
After introducing the new verbs to your class, pass out the student worksheet.
(Attention) Ask students to underline the conjugated verbs in the story.
Ask them to write the conjugated verbs as they appear in the paragraph in the chart below the paragraph,
in the box corresponding to the infinitive of that verb.
(Co-Construction) Ask students to find a partner. Ask them what happened to the stem of each verb after
it was conjugated. Ask them to look at the chart they filled out and look for patterns. Ask them to come
up with their own hypothesis for the stem-changing rule.
(Extension) Ask students to categorize the new verbs according to the stem-changing rule they obey.
Ask students to indicate which forms of the verb change in the stem when conjugated, and which dont.
Ask students to complete the exit slip.

*NOTE: The Exit Slip Page should be cut in half; one printed page is enough for two students.
Student worksheet included below.

12/8/14

LAN 475 Materials Portfolio

Jackie Space

Una carta de su hermano mayor

Consider the new verbs weve learned today. Underline each conjugated form of these verbs as they
appear in the following paragraph:
Quiero conversar seriamente con ustedes y les pido su ayuda. Pienso que mam y pap quieren algunos
cambios en casa. No pueden hacerlo todo. El da empieza muy temprano y ellos duermen muy poco.
Con frecuencia, almuerzan en la oficina, aunque prefieren comer en casa. Nosotros podemos ayudarlos.
Luis y Ximena, ustedes vuelven a casa a las 2:00. Si le sirven el almuerzo a Juanito y juegan con l, pienso
que nuestros padres puedan estar ms contentos. Cuesta mucho dinero pagar los servicios de una
niera (babysitter). Piensan ustedes que mis ideas son buenas o tienen otras?
Now, categorize the verbs you underlined with the infinitive that they correspond to. If a conjugated
form appears more than once, include it in the same box. See querer, for example.

El infinitivo

El verbo conjugado (del prrafo)

almorzar
costar
dormir
empezar
jugar
pensar
poder
preferir
querer

quiero, quieren

servir
volver

What happens to the stem of the verb when its conjugated?

12/8/14

LAN 475 Materials Portfolio

Jackie Space

The Rule for Stem-Changing Verbs

After writing down the rules, categorize each of the verbs according to the stem-changing rule that they
follow.
____ ____

____ ____

____ ____

____ ____

Stem-changing verbs are boot verbs! Draw circle around the boxes that do change spelling in the stem
when conjugated. Draw an X in the box that corresponds to the verb forms that do not stem-change
when conjugated. (Hint: look at the boot for help!)
yo form

nosotros /
nosotras form

t form

vosotros /
vosotras form

l / ella /
Usted form

ellos / ellas /
Ustedes form

Now, discuss with your neighbor. Look for patterns in the underlined verbs. Come up with your own
hypothesis: what do you think is the rule for stem-changing verbs? Be prepared to share your
hypothesis with the class!
My hypothesis: ________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

12/8/14

LAN 475 Materials Portfolio

Jackie Space

Exit Slip
In order to leave, you must answer the following questions and turn them in to your instructor! Make
sure your classmate offers you logical answers!
1. Ask one classmate which meal they prefer (breakfast, lunch, dinner). Express their answer in a
complete sentence: ______________________________________________________________
2. Ask one classmate what time they usually (usualmente) go to sleep at night. Express their
answer in a complete sentence:____________________________________________________
3. Ask one classmate what they want to do this weekend. Express their answer in a complete
sentence:______________________________________________________________________
4. Ask one classmate when they usually (usualmente) return home from class. Express their
answer in a complete sentence:____________________________________________________
5. Finally, tell me how much your backpack cost:_________________________________________

Exit Slip
In order to leave, you must answer the following questions and turn them in to your instructor! Make
sure your classmate offers you logical answers! Ask these questions in Spanish!!!
1. Ask one classmate which meal they prefer (breakfast, lunch, dinner). Express their answer in a
complete sentence: ______________________________________________________________
2. Ask one classmate what time they usually (usualmente) go to sleep at night. Express their
answer in a complete sentence:____________________________________________________
3. Ask one classmate what they want to do this weekend. Express their answer in a complete
sentence:______________________________________________________________________
4. Ask one classmate when they usually (usualmente) return home from class. Express their
answer in a complete sentence:____________________________________________________
5. Finally, tell me how much your backpack cost:_________________________________________