201 Sequencing

Convention: Verb Tense Consistency

👩‍🏫 Teacher’s Guide

Objective
Students will learn how to organize writing by sequencing events in a clear order. Students will also practice keeping verb tense consistent throughout a paragraph.

Teaching Notes

• Sequencing means putting events in the correct order.
• Common sequence words include first, next, then, after that, finally.
• Verb tense consistency means staying in the same tense unless the time changes.
• Sudden tense changes can confuse the reader.
• Model how to revise paragraphs to fix tense shifts.

🧒 Student Worksheet

Helping Material

Sequencing

• tells events in the order they happen
• helps readers follow ideas easily

Verb tense consistency

• past tense: walked, played, ate
• present tense: walk, play, eat
• stay in one tense unless time changes

Modeled Improvement (Before → After)

1. Before: First, I wake up. Then I ate breakfast.
   After: Why it’s better:

2. Before: We walked to school and see our friends.
   After: Why it’s better:

3. Before: She opens the door and looked inside.
   After: Why it’s better:

4. Before: I finished my homework and go outside.
   After: Why it’s better:

5. Before: First, we play the game. Next, we scored a goal.
   After: Why it’s better:

Writing Choices Q&A

1. What does sequencing mean?

2. Why is sequencing important?

3. What is verb tense consistency?

4. When can tense change?

5. What words help show sequence?

Mini Activities

1. Fix the Tense
   I walk to the bus and rode it to school.

2. Choose the Correct Verb
   Yesterday, we (play/played) outside.

3. Order the Events
   eat breakfast / wake up

4. Find the Sequence Word
   First, I packed my bag.

5. Write a Sequenced Sentence

Writing Samples

(5 samples · 10–12 sentences · clear sequence + consistent verb tense)

1. Getting Ready for School

2. A Science Experiment

3. Making a Sandwich

4. A Soccer Practice

5. A Family Trip

Reflection

• How do sequencing and verb tense consistency help your writing?