V Eberly, Fulbright-Hays Study Tour, Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies, University of Michigan Page 1

An Introduction to Verbs of Motion for Beginning Russian Students

Vinton Eberly
Central Valley High School
Spokane Valley, WA


Produced as part of
CREES Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program for K-12 Teachers:
Understanding Contemporary Russia, 2010


Overview: Russian verbs of motion (VOM) are complicated and often confusing to
students learning Russian. The nature of Russian high school texts is to introduce these
verbs late in first year of study. In contrast, the use of the English form of going is
prevalent and not always tied to mere motion. This unit attempts to introduce the Russian
verbs of motion at an earlier stage in order to stave off the confusion generated by the
variable meaning of the English going with the specific use of the Russian going. In
other words, I am going to introduce these verbs at an earlier stage of study.

There are 4 major lessons introducing the four main verbs of motion in Russian. Each
lesson is accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation plus practice. After a review lesson
and practice, students take a short test to measure understanding of the verbs of motion.

The lessons are designed to be stand alone lessons dealing with the introduction of VOM.
They are best suited for use after the students are initially aware of the accusative case,
due to the connection of VOM and the accusative case. This is not a hard and fast
necessity as with rote memory students can answer questions and make statements using
VOM and destinations with feminine endings in the accusative case.
V Eberly, Fulbright-Hays Study Tour, Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies, University of Michigan Page 2


Lesson Plan Title: Introduction to Verbs of Motion Lesson 1
Concept / Topic to Teach: Introduction to Verbs of Motion and

General Goal(s): What are VOMs in Russian? Conjugation of ; to go by foot

Specific Objectives: terminology of VOMs; conjugation of

Required Materials:
PowerPoint Part 1
Handouts VOM part 1 practice ; Russian Verbs of Motion An Introduction
for Beginners handout

Anticipatory Set (Lead-In): Discuss present continuous form of going in English and
how it is used, i.e. We are going to have a test vs. I am going to lunch

Step-By-Step Procedures:
1. Discuss what VOM is in Russian
2. Introduce basic terms
a. aspect
b. direction
c. modes/mean of movement
d. prefixes (brief explanation of how prefixes affect meaning)
3. Present PowerPoint introduction to VOM and verb
4. Solicit questions/ clarify as needed
5. Students complete practice
6 Correct practice as class (this lesson or next day if assigned as homework)

Plan for Independent Practice: Complete handout verb conjugation and sentence
completion/fill in the blank

Closure (Reflect Anticipatory Set): Reminder that going in Russian is tied to movement;
ask where students are going next ( () .)
V Eberly, Fulbright-Hays Study Tour, Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies, University of Michigan Page 3


Lesson Plan Title: Lesson 2 VOM
Concept / Topic to Teach: by foot vs. by vehicle;

General Goal(s): conjugation of VOM ; contrast of going by foot vs. going by
vehicle

Specific Objectives: conjugation of

Required Materials:
PowerPoint Part 2
Handouts VOM part 2 practice

Anticipatory Set (Lead-In): Reminder of previous lesson about VOM and English use of
going

Step-By-Step Procedures:
1. Review lesson 1 - what VOM is in Russian
2. Review vehicle vocabulary presented earlier in course.
3. Present PowerPoint introduction to VOM and verb
4. Solicit questions/ clarify as needed
5. Students complete practice
6 Correct practice as class (this lesson or next day if assigned as homework)

Plan for Independent Practice: Complete handout verb conjugation and sentence
completion/fill in the blank

Closure (Reflect Anticipatory Set): Have students respond to prompt in Russian or
English: How do you get to school? What trips do you make more than once a week?
What trips do you make one way?

V Eberly, Fulbright-Hays Study Tour, Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies, University of Michigan Page 4


Lesson Plan Title: Lesson 3 VOM
Concept / Topic to Teach: the indeterminate verb

General Goal(s): Meaning of and its conjugation patterns; multi-directional and
indeterminate uses

Specific Objectives: conjugation of

Required Materials:
PowerPoint Part 3
Handouts VOM part 3 practice

Anticipatory Set (Lead-In): Review of means of transportation; what is this? (Vocab.
review using pictures)

Step-By-Step Procedures:
1. Review previous lessons
2. Review grammar vocabulary from lesson 1 unidirectional/multidirectional/aspect)
3. Present PowerPoint introduction to VOM and verb
4. Solicit questions/ clarify as needed
5. Students complete practice
6 Correct practice as class (this lesson or next day if assigned as homework)

Plan for Independent Practice: Complete handout verb conjugation and sentence
completion/fill in the blank

Closure (Reflect Anticipatory Set): Answer in Russian questions about habitual trips
students make by foot. ? .
V Eberly, Fulbright-Hays Study Tour, Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies, University of Michigan Page 5


Lesson Plan Title: Lesson 4 VOM
Concept / Topic to Teach: the verb

General Goal(s): Meaning of and its conjugation patterns; use in habitual,
indeterminate and multidirectional uses

Specific Objectives: conjugation of

Required Materials:
PowerPoint Part 4
Handouts VOM part 4 practice

Anticipatory Set (Lead-In): Elaborate about trips the teacher has made to other cities/
countries, emphasizing the round trip aspect of the trips.

Step-By-Step Procedures:
1. Review previous lessons
2. Review vocabulary from lesson 1 (unidirectional/multidirectional/aspect)
3. Present PowerPoint introduction to VOM and verb
4. Solicit questions/ clarify as needed
5. Students complete practice
6 Correct practice as class (this lesson or next day if assigned as homework)

Plan for Independent Practice: Complete handout verb conjugation and sentence
completion/fill in the blank

Closure (Reflect Anticipatory Set): Students elaborate on trips made during breaks and
vacations. ()? .
V Eberly, Fulbright-Hays Study Tour, Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies, University of Michigan Page 6

Lesson Plan Title: Lesson 5 VOM
Concept / Topic to Teach: Review of Russian verbs of motion

General Goal(s): Practice of Russian VOM

Specific Objectives: game playing using Russian VOM

Required Materials: Game boards, markers, dice, game cards

Anticipatory Set (Lead-In): Review conjugation of VOM, translate practice sentences

Step-By-Step Procedures:
1. Review previous lessons
2. Explain how game is played; demonstrate game
3. Break students into groups for game
4. Solicit questions/ clarify as needed
5. Students play game
6 Monitor game playing; answer questions as needed.

Plan for Independent Practice: Study for test.

Closure (Reflect Anticipatory Set): Remind students that verbs of motion are used as
much in Russian as in English and it is important to have a solid foundation in them.
Assign test date.

V Eberly, Fulbright-Hays Study Tour, Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies, University of Michigan Page 7

Russian Verbs of Motion An Introduction for Beginners
Learning about the verbs of motion can be one of the hardest concepts in the Russian
language. It is not so difficult if you take them one step at a time. However complex an
idea it may seem, it is an important concept, since motion verbs are among the most used
in any language. This is confusing to many English speakers learning Russian as we use
going as a helping verb in ways that do not parallel Russian use of the going verb. (i.e
We are going to have a test on Friday.)
A verb of motion is simply a verb that moves you or someone or something else from one
place to another. Examples include verbs like go, walk, run, swim or fly. The
reason they are special in Russian is that Russian uses special prefixes and different
forms to explain even more with one word.
Some basics and terms:
Aspect - Russian has a concept termed aspect. Basically, Russian distinguishes between
a completed action (or one that will be completed) and on-going or habitual action in the
present tense. We refer to this idea of action vs. completion as aspect. Therefore,
Russian has imperfective (emphasis on action) and perfective (emphasis on completion)
forms for every verb. Verbs come in aspectual pairs.
Direction - Russian verbs of motion determine whether the motion is in one direction
(unidirectional) or in many directions or habitual (multidirectional.) Understanding if
moving has a round trip implied (multidirectional) or is talking about a one way trip
(unidirectional) helps us choose the correct form of the verb of motion.
Means or mode of transport Russian has different verbs to use if you are going by
foot or if you are going by vehicle. They are often paired up together to help in
memorizing. There are advanced verbs that deal with flying, swimming and others, but
for the time being we will concentrate on the basic foot/vehicle verbs.
Prefixes For the time being we will deal only with basic verbs of motion. There are a
number of prefixes we can add to the verbs to refine their meanings, such as entering vs.
exiting. The added nuances of these meanings are something we will study later.


V Eberly, Fulbright-Hays Study Tour, Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies, University of Michigan Page 1
Russian 1B Verbs of Motion Test


. Conjugate these verbs in their present tense forms:





, ,





. Choose between going by foot or going by vehicle and complete the sentence,
conjugating the verb as needed.

25. ___________________ .
26. ___________________ .
27. ___________________ ?
V Eberly, Fulbright-Hays Study Tour, Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies, University of Michigan Page 2
28. ___________________ .
29. ___________________ ?
30. ___________________?
31. ___________________ .
32. ___________________ .
33. ______________________ .
34. ___________________ .
35. ___________________ ?
. Choose between indeterminate and determinate. onjugate the verb to fit the
sentence.

36. _________________________ .
37. _________________________ .
38. _________________________ .
39. _________________________ ?
40. _________________________ ?
41. _________________________ .
42. _________________________ .
43. _________________________ .
44. 16 _________________________
.
45. _________________________ .
46. * _________________________ .
47. _________________________ ?
V Eberly, Fulbright-Hays Study Tour, Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies, University of Michigan Page 1


- Practice with the verb to go

Write down the present tense forms for



,

Complete these sentences with the correct form of .

1. _________________________ . ()
2. _________________________? ()
3. _________________________ .
4. _________________________ . ()
5. _________________________ .
6. _________________________ ? ()
7. _________________________ . ()
8. _________________________ .
9. _______________________ .


V Eberly, Fulbright-Hays Study Tour, Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies, University of Michigan Page 1


- Practice with the verb to go

Write down the present tense forms for



,

Complete these sentences with the correct form of .

1. _________________________ . ()
2. _________________________? ()
3. _________________________ . ()
4. _________________________ . ()
5. _________________________ . ()
6. _________________________ ? ()
7. _________________________ . ()
8. _________________________ . ()
9. _________________________ ? ()
10. _________________________ . ()

V Eberly, Fulbright-Hays Study Tour, Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies, University of Michigan Page 1


- Practice with the verb to go

Write down the present tense forms for



,

Complete these sentences with the correct form of .
1. _________________________ ? ()
2. _________________________ ? ()
3. _________________________ . ()
4. _________________________ . ()
5. _________________________ .
()
6. 6 _________________________ . ()
7. _________________________ . ()
8. _________________________ . ()

- often - always usually - never
every (used with day, hour, minute, month, etc.) Agrees in gender and number!

V Eberly, Fulbright-Hays Study Tour, Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies, University of Michigan Page 1


- Practice with the verb to go

Write down the present tense forms for



,

Complete these sentences with the correct form of .
1. _________________________ ? ()
2. _________________________ . ()
3. _________________________ . ()
4. _________________________ ? ()
5. * _________________________ . ()
6. 16 _________________________ . ()
7. _________________________ .
()
8. _________________________ . ()

- often - always usually - never
every (used with day, hour, minute, month, etc.) Agrees in gender and number!
* - yesterday


V Eberly, Fulbright-Hays Study Tour, Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies, University of Michigan Page 1



Complete these sentences with the correct form of the verb .


1. ___________________ .
2. ___________________ ?
3. ___________________ .
4. ___________________?
5. ___________________ .
6. ___________________ .
7. ___________________ .
8. ___________________ .
9. ______________________ .
10. ___________________ .
11. ___________________ .
12. ___________________ .
13. ___________________ ?
14. ___________________ .
15. ___________________ ?
16. ___________________ .
17. ___________________ .
18. ___________________ .
19. ___________________ .
V Eberly, Fulbright-Hays Study Tour, Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies, University of Michigan Page 1
Russian 2 Verbs of Motion Practice


Exercise 1. Unidirectional (Determinate) or Multidirectional (Indeterminate) verb?
Choose from the options provided.


1. ___________ .


2. - , ! ___________?
- . .


3. ____________ .


4. ___________ .


5. ___________ .


6. - , ! _____________?


Exercise 2. Choose between and . Use the appropriate present tense
form of each verb.

: .

1. _______________________ .

2. _______________________ .

3. _______________________ ?

4. _______________________ .

5. - , ! _______________________?

- _______________________ .



V Eberly, Fulbright-Hays Study Tour, Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies, University of Michigan Page 2
Exercise 3. Choose between and . Use the appropriate present
tense form of each verb.

: .


1. _______________________ .

2. _______________________ .


3. - , _______________________ ?
- , _______________________ .

4. _______________________ .

5. _______________________ .


We often go to the
movies.




I go to school every
day.




At 8 oclock I go to
school.




Where are you
going?




I am going to
Moscow on
Saturday.




My parents are
going to the movies.

We were at the
disco yesterday.




We went to the
library yesterday




On Monday we are
going to Russia.




She rarely goes to
the post office.




Lets go to Baskin
and Robbins
together!




Are you going to the
classroom now?

Ivan is going home
now.




I am going to work
at 5 oclock.




My friend is going
to Japan soon.




Where are they
going tomorrow?




Mother is going to a
concert on
Wednesday.




He is going to the
dorm at 2 oclock.


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Det. Foot




Det. Foot




Det. Foot




Det. Foot




Det. Foot




Det. Foot




Det. Foot
-


Det. Foot




Det. Foot




Det. Foot




Det. Foot




Det. Foot




Det. Foot




Det. Foot



Det. Foot




Det. Foot




Det. Foot




Det. Foot




Det. Foot e




Det. Foot




Det. Foot



Indet. Foot




Indet. Foot




Indet. Foot




Indet. Foot




Indet. Foot




Indet. Foot




Indet. Foot
-


Indet. Foot




Indet. Foot




Indet. Foot




Indet. Foot




Indet. Foot




Indet. Foot




Indet. Foot



Indet. Foot




Indet. Foot




Indet. Foot




Indet. Foot




Indet. Foot e




Indet. Foot




Indet. Foot



Det. Vehicle




Det. Vehicle




Det. Vehicle




Det. Vehicle




Det. Vehicle




Det. Vehicle




Det. Vehicle
-


Det. Vehicle




Det. Vehicle




Det. Vehicle




Det. Vehicle




Det. Vehicle




Det. Vehicle




Det. Vehicle



Det. Vehicle




Det. Vehicle




Det. Vehicle




Det. Vehicle




Det. Vehicle




Det. Vehicle




Det. Vehicle



Indet. Vehicle




Indet. Vehicle




Indet. Vehicle




Indet. Vehicle




Indet. Vehicle




Indet. Vehicle




Indet. Vehicle
-


Indet. Vehicle




Indet. Vehicle




Indet. Vehicle




Indet. Vehicle




Indet. Vehicle




Indet. Vehicle




Indet. Vehicle



Indet. Vehicle




Indet. Vehicle




Indet. Vehicle




Indet. Vehicle




Indet. Vehicle




Indet. Vehicle




Indet. Vehicle


V Eberly, Fulbright-Hays Study Tour, Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies, University of Michigan Page 1

VOM Game Rules:

Each player rolls the die to determine starting position. Low number begins, and then
play continues clockwise.

Roll the die to determine how many spaces to move

Draw a card from the pile corresponding to the color on which you land.

Give answer per card requirement. If a player cannot answer correctly, he/she moves
back to the previous spot.

If you land on a gray space lose a turn.

Player must enter on a number equal to distance from . (3 spaces from
requires a 3 or less to advance.)

First player to reach wins.
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.

Determinate Vehicle

Determinate Foot

Indeterminate Vehicle

Indeterminate Foot




























Translate these sentences to Russian.


1. We often go to the movies.




2. I go to school every day.




3. Where are you going?




4. I am going to Moscow on Saturday.




5. My parents are going to the movies.




6. We were at the disco yesterday.




7. We went to the library yesterday




8. On Monday we are going to Russia.




9. She rarely goes to the post office.




10. Lets go to Baskins and Robbins together!



11. Are you going to the classroom now?




12. At 8 oclock I go to school.




13. Ivan is going home now.




14. I am going to work at 5 oclock.




15. My friend is going to Japan soon.




16. Where are they going tomorrow?




17. Mother is going to a concert on Wednesday.




18. He is going to the dorm at 2 oclock.


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