Can as an Ability Flashcards

 This resource is part of Can as an Ability for Elementary ESL at this link: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Can-as-an-Ability-Unit-for-Elementary-ESL-4299251

Use the Can as an ability flashcards to identify and use the action words.

Place two flashcards on the board and write the sentence: They can swim. Have the students repeat and find two more flashcards and write more sentences on the board or their notebooks.

These flashcards make it clear that "can" expresses ability.  Teach the students the negative of the sentences using can’t.

Give repetitive practice where students can see the word "can" in different contexts, reinforcing their understanding and usage. Show how to ask questions using can.

Show how to answer in negative form.

Ask more questions and have the students use their yes or no stick puppets. Just, print and add a craft stick. Students can make their own.

Flashcards can also be used to practice speaking. These can introduce actions and activities vocabulary.

Show the students the flashcard of see. Ask the information question: What can you see?

Have them write on their notebooks the answer. Then, select several students to read their answers and the rest can check if they have the same answer.

Recycle the vocabulary frequently. Show the students a flashcard and have them mime the action and say: I can run!

Understanding how to use "can" lays the foundation for more complex grammatical structures. Ask questions with WHO? The students that can perform the actions should stand up.

Flashcard activities can be interactive and fun, keeping young learners engaged.  Create a graph on what the students can or can’t do by placing several flashcards on the board and have the students come and write yes or no under each flashcard.

Mastering simple statements using "can" builds ELLs' confidence in their English abilities. Being able to say what they can do in English is empowering and encourages them to keep learning. Ask students: What can you do? Have them write the answers on their notebooks and then dictate to you so you can put up the flashcards on the board.

Sorting flashcards into categories helps students develop organizational skills. This task requires them to analyze and categorize the flashcards, enhancing their cognitive abilities as they sort the flashcards into music and sports.

Write several descriptive sentences on the board and have the students find the correct flashcards and place it underneath.

Learning to use conjunctions helps students create more complex and varied sentences, moving beyond simple statements to more detailed descriptions. Contrast two flashcards using and by finding them with the same verb: She can cook and he can cook, too.

Practicing these structures helps students expand their vocabulary and become more fluent in speaking and writing. Students will express their ability and lack of ability. Contrast using but: I can jump rope, but I can’t skateboard. Have the students make more similar sentences using the flashcards.

Place the modal verb can for ability  flashcards into plastic sheets and have the students complete the verb phrase with magnetic board marker that can be easily erased.

Subscribe to my linktree!

https://linktr.ee/HolisticEnglishResources