Routine Verbs Flashcards for ESL/EFL learners

 This resource (Routine Verbs Flashcards for ESL/EFL – Printable Everyday Verbs for Elementary ELLs)  is included here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Routine-Verbs-for-Elementary-ELL-3088833

The Routine Flashcards give students a clear visual cue that helps them connect the action verb with its meaning, making it easier to remember. Download the printable routine verbs flashcards for young ESL/ELL students — perfect for teaching daily actions with fun games, miming activities, and speaking practice.

Some ideas for games and activities for your students using the full set of routine-action verb flashcards (picture + word)   . Let me know which one you used and how well it worked.

Mime. Show a flashcard and do the corresponding action as you say it. Have the student mime and repeat the action.

Teacher: wake up, wake up!
student: wake up, wake up!

Who is? Have six children come to the front. Hand in a routine verb card to each one and the corresponding realia or cutout to act it out. They have to look at it and mime the action at your call.

Teacher: Ready! Action!
Teacher: make the bed!
Students: Laura!
Teacher: brush the teeth!
Students: Jacky!
Then do it backwards.
Teacher: Ready! Action!
Teacher: Patricia!
Students: do homework!
Teacher: Tomas!
Teacher:  wash the dishes!

Verbs in a bag. Place the routine flashcards in a bag. Sit the children in a circle if you have a small group. For large groups, it might be good to have several sets and do the activity in groups.

The first child of the circle draws a card from the bag and without showing it mimes the actions. The children have to guess and shout out the verb. Then make a sentence with the verb.

Children: clean the window!
Children: Erin is cleaning the window!

Hand in the routine verbs flashcards to a group. Have them order the verbs in alphabetical order and then write them down. Useful for Mixed-ability: pair stronger with weaker students.

Place 6 flashcards on the board. Write a question word under each one: Who ?, Why ?, Where ?, When ?, What ?, How many ? . Divide the class into pairs and have them write questions with each question word. When all the questions are ready, have them exchange the questions sheets with other pairs to answer them.

Lay all the cards face down on a table.  A student turns a card around, reads it and makes a complete sentence. If it is right the student keeps the card.  If the sentence is wrong, the student puts the card back. Student: clean. I clean the house with my mother.

    Yes/NO Q&A: Have students ask each other in pairs questions using any flashcard in random order.

Student 1: Do you play football?
Student 2: Yes, I do.

 Writing Practice.  Students pick any four flashcards and write a short text. Then, hands it in to another student to read. They can find similarities between their routines.

There are small cards in this complete resource with picture-cards, verb small cards, matching worksheets, cut-and-paste mats, bingo/spelling game, printable picture album template, etc.)  go to the blog post:    https://eflelementaryresources.blogspot.com/2025/07/routine-verbs-small-cards-for-eslefl.html 

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