After learning the conjugations for the preterite and imperfect tenses, students should focus on understanding the different applications of each. In this activity, students will create a T chart that illustrates examples of when the preterite and imperfect tenses are used.
Since there is some overlap among categories on each side, you may want to clarify which ones you would like students to target. For example, specifying a defined time-frame for preterite, or a routine action for imperfect. The example storyboard describes the broadest categories, and can be used as a reference.
Alternate activity 1: Students create a storyboard to focus solely on preterite
Alternate activity 2: Students create a storyboard to focus solely on imperfect
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a T Chart that illustrates different uses of the preterite and imperfect tenses in Spanish. Remember, the preterite deals with completed and incomplete actions, where the imperfect deals with interrupting and interrupted actions, repeated/habitual Actions, and descriptions.