Present Continuous with School Actions –for Elementary ELLs

This resource is found here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Present-Continuous-for-Elementary-ESL-4403402

This resource was designed to help elementary English language learners practice action verbs and build sentences. The variety of materials also makes it easy for teachers to use them for whole-class lessons, centers, pair work, or review activities.

Teachers can use the flashcards for vocabulary introduction, quick review activities, classroom games, and speaking practice.

Action +  write a Sentence Strip with Flashcards. Fold the word from each flashcard if you want and have students write a sentence for each card in Present Continuous.

Wrong Sentence Flashcards. Print the sentence slips. Have a student show the flashcard and you read the sentence slip. If it doesn’t match, have the class say the correct sentence: “No! She is gluing!” Perfect for grammar correction practice.

 “Act It Fast!” Game. Show one flashcard secretly to one student. Student acts the verb. Class says: “He is reading!”

Action Hunt Around the Classroom. Hide flashcards around the room. Students find one and say: “He is writing!” and writes the sentence on a mini whiteboard.

Match Game. Place the flashcards on the board. Hand in the sentence strips for the students to match.

The small cards are perfect for a variety of classroom games and practice activities.

Build the Sentence.  Give students the word cards: Pronouns,Verb cards,Objects.

Students build sentences: He is swinging on the swing.

Listen and Point. Place the small cards on the table. Say a sentence and have the students point to that card and repeat the sentence. You can fold the word to make it more challenging.

ctivity, students practice the spelling rules used when changing verbs to the present continuous (-ing) form. Place the three rule pockets on the table or board. Students take turns choosing a small verb card and placing it in the correct pocket according to the spelling rule.

The pockets should be prepared before the activity. You can use the Envelope method – Glue the printed pocket label onto a small envelope.

These worksheets allow students to practice grammar in a clear and meaningful context.

Write the Number.  Each picture shows an action in the present continuous. Students find the matching picture and write the correct number on the line.

Write the Verb Ending Match. First, complete the verbs by writing the correct –ing ending.

Then, draw a line to match each verb with the correct picture.

Present Continuous Word Search. Students find the words that can be horizontal, or vertical. When found a word, highlight or circle it in the word search.

What Are You Doing? Worksheet. Students read the sentences and answer.

Write the Question.

Students practice forming sentences in the present continuous tense.

Spelling Sorting – Present Continuous form of the verb. Students practice the spelling rules used to form verbs in the present continuous tense. They write each verb in the correct pocket according to the spelling pattern.

Write the Verbs. Students write the correct action verb in the space below.

These games encourage students to read, speak, match, and build sentences while reinforcing the vocabulary and actions presented in the unit.

Spin and Cover Game

Students play in pairs. One student spins the spinner using a paper clip and a brass fastener placed at the center of the wheel. The spinner will land on a picture that shows an action.

The student says the verb aloud. The other student looks at the verb list and covers the correct word with a small piece of paper. Students continue spinning and covering the verbs until all the actions are covered.

Sentence Association Matching Game

Print the classroom scene mat and the sentence strips. Students place each sentence on the correct part of the mat to match the action in the picture.

Students can work individually, in pairs, or in small groups.

Flap Book – Present Continuous

To wrap up the unit, students complete a fun interactive flap book. After coloring and assembling the booklet, they lift each flap to reveal a sentence written by them in the present continuous tense that describes the picture.

There is a Halloween section in the complete pack of the resource. Here is the blog post:   https://eflelementaryresources.blogspot.com/2025/10/halloween-witch-actions-present.html

If you’re looking for more creative ideas and engaging resources for teaching young learners, visit my blog for preschool teachers here: EFL Preschool Teachers Blog. You'll find practical activities, tips, and resources designed to make learning fun and effective for little ones!

Circus Ringmaster and Platform Prepositions Activities | ESL

 This resource,Circus Prepositions Activities for ESL Students | Ringmaster and Platform, is also included here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Circus-Unit-for-Elementary-ESL-3759017

Step right into the circus and make learning prepositions fun and meaningful! This Circus Prepositions resource uses the Ringmaster and colorful platforms to help students understand and practice key prepositions such as in, on, under, behind, next to, between, and in front of through engaging, hands-on activities.

It can be used as a stand-alone resource to teach or review prepositions or as a complement to your Circus Unit, helping students strengthen reading, speaking, and sentence-building skills in a fun and visual way.

Use the flashcards to introduce or review the prepositions with your students.

True or False Show. Show flashcard and say sentence: The ringmaster is under the platform.

Students show: 👍 Correct or 👎 Incorrect.

Circus Director Game. One student becomes the "Circus Director or Ringmaster". Print the hat template, add a strip of paper and create the hat for the student or yourself.

They say: "The ringmaster is under the platform."

Other student points to that flashcard, which should be placed on the board.

Match the Sentence to the Flashcard. In this activity, students read the sentence strips and place them under the correct circus flashcards on the board. Each sentence describes the position of the ringmaster in relation to the platform.

The sentence strips are included in this resource and are designed to match the flashcards.

Act It Out: The Ringmaster and the Stool. In this interactive activity, one student wears the ringmaster hat and uses any stool and glues the stool prop, that you have previously prepared using the printable in the resource. Another student gives directions, suing the flashcards as a guide, the position using a complete sentence, such as: “The ringmaster is on the stool.”

The student acting as the ringmaster listens and places himself in the correct position.

Listen and Draw Activity. The teacher secretly chooses a flashcard and describes it without showing the picture. For example: “The ringmaster is behind the platform.”

Students listen carefully and draw what they hear. Afterward, the teacher shows the flashcard so students can compare their drawings. This activity develops listening comprehension.

The small cards are included to provide more opportunities for practice.

Read and Match to the Picture. Students receive the printable small picture cards and the sentence strips. Students read and match.

Write the Sentence. Students pick a small card and write the sentence.

Why Small Cards Are Powerful for Literacy

They help students:

read independently
 manipulate language
build sentences
practice writing meaningfully
develop confidence

Cutouts are included so students can physically place the Ringmaster in different positions relative to the platform, helping them practice prepositions through hands-on learning.

Listen and Place the Ringmaster. Print and cut the  platform + ringmaster cutout. It comes in colored and b/w version.
Teacher says: "The ringmaster is under the platform."

Students place the ringmaster correctly.

Worksheets are included to help students practice prepositions through reading, writing, matching, drawing, and coloring activities.

Students roll the printable dice and color the matching picture on their worksheet. Each time the dice lands, students identify the preposition and find the correct image to color. This activity reinforces preposition vocabulary.

Students complete the worksheet by reading each sentence and writing the correct preposition to describe the position of the ringmaster.

Students read each sentence and trace the line to match it with the correct picture.

Have the learners write the correct preposition to describe the position of the ringmaster.

This worksheet is for drawing and coloring the platforms in the correct position around the ringmaster. Students carefully follow the instructions.

Games are included to help students practice prepositions in a fun, interactive, and engaging way.

Feed Me Circus Ring activity

Students take turns choosing a small circus card and feeding it into the Feed Me Circus Ring Box that you have ready. As they feed the card, students say a complete sentence

Matching Mat Activity

Students take turns rolling the preposition dice. They say the preposition they rolled, for example, “behind.” Then they find the correct Ringmaster picture card and place it on the matching word on the mat. Finally, they say a full sentence: “The Ringmaster is behind the platform.”This adds movement and speaking practice

Puzzle “Build and Read”
After completing the puzzle, students read the full sentence aloud to a partner. Then, they use a small card or flashcard to recreate the same position of the Ringmaster and say the sentence again. This reinforces reading, speaking, and comprehension of prepositions.

Spinner Activity

Students spin the spinner and look at the picture where the pointer lands. They say a complete sentence to describe the Ringmaster’s position using the correct preposition. This activity helps students practice speaking.

 Flap Book Activity Text:

Students create a flap book to practice circus prepositions. Under each flap, they write and complete a sentence to describe the Ringmaster’s position.

 

Also included the Circus Popcorn Numbers 1–20 pack that features colorful, circus-themed flashcards and interactive games to help kids recognize numerals, read number words, and build one-to-one correspondence with quantities. It works well for whole-class lessons, small-group centres, or independent practice — perfect for math / number units in elementary ESL classrooms.Check the blog post:   https://eflelementaryresources.blogspot.com/2025/07/this-resource-is-also-included-here.html

 Find creative ideas and engaging resources for teaching young learners, visit my blog for preschool teachers here: EFL Preschool Teachers Blog. You'll find practical activities, tips, and resources designed to make learning fun and effective for little ones!

Teaching Health: Sickness games for ESL Classrooms

 Find this resource at my TPT store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sickness-Flashcards-for-ESL-Classrooms-15145875

 

These hands-on games are designed to help students understand, practice, and retain health vocabulary and simple sentence structures in a meaningful and age-appropriate way. Instead of memorizing words in isolation, learners interact with the language through play, movement, and visuals.

“I Have…” Sentence Spin

The sickness vocabulary is on the printable spinner. Students spin and  must say “I have a ___.”

                                       Optional: classmates mime the sickness.

Why it works: reinforces sentence structure + speaking confidence.

Doctor–Patient Role Play Cards

One student is the doctor, one is the patient. Give them cue slip cards. They read the sickness and miming if possible. The doctor gives the solution, acting out a short dialogue.

First Aid Kit Mystery Bag

Print the first-aid kit and the items cards. Glue an envelope behind it or use a clear plastic sheet to place the cards. One student picks an item (no looking). Describes it: This is a thermometer. It’s for a fever.

Sickness–sentence association

The Sentence Association Game is a hands-on activity designed to help young English language learners connect simple sentences with meaningful pictures. Students match a sentence card (for example, “I have a broken leg” or “I am taking cough syrup”) to the correct picture card showing the action or situation.

This game supports early reading comprehension

Teachers — if you enjoy hands-on ESL activities, games, and classroom resources, follow me on Pinterest! Just here: https://www.pinterest.com/ei98srl

You’ll find pin-ready ideas you can use right away in your lessons.