how to teach the present perfect?

Answer 1

Are you teaching Latin? Try this

http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/upperf.htm

Using the Present Perfect Tense


Introduction

The present perfect tense is common in English. It is used for many different functions. This page will explain the most important uses of the present perfect tense.
Use 1: Actions which started in the past and are still continuing

The present perfect is often used for an action which started at some time in the past, and are still continuing now. Often, the words for (with a length of time) and since (with a starting time) are used along with the present perfect.

He has lived in Canada for five years.
(He started living in Canada five years ago, and he's still living there now.)
She has worked at the University since 1994.
(She started working at the University in 1994, and she's still working there now.)

Use 2: Actions which happened at some unknown time in the past

Sometimes, it's important to say that something happened (or didn't happen), but it's not important (or not known) when it happened. In this case, we can use the present perfect too. In this case, we often use the words already, yet, ever or never along with the present perfect. These words usually go before the past participle in the sentence.

I've already seen that film. I don't want to see it again.
(It doesn't matter when I saw it.)
Have you ever been to Germany?
(It doesn't matter when you went -- I just want to know whether you have been there or not.)

Use 3: Actions which happened in the past, but have an effect in the present

This use is a little more difficult than the other two. In this case, the action happened at some time in the past, but the effect of the action is still important now. It's easiest to understand this use if we compare present perfect sentences with simple past sentences.

TenseSentenceMeaning
Present perfectI've lost my keys.I haven't found the keys yet -- they're still missing.
Simple pastI lost my keys yesterday.I've probably found them again already.
Present perfectShe's broken her arm.The arm is still injured.
Simple pastShe broke her arm.The arm is probably OK by now.

Answer 2

Yikes--teaching complicated grammar. Here is what has worked in seventh grade. First of all, make sure that your students have a good grasp of the difference between a "main verb" and a "helping verb". If they don't recognize the form of have as a helping verb, you're sunk.

Then, teach the four main forms of verbs: present, past, participle, and perfect. Charts for the students to fill in are good. Start with the regular ones, like "bake" and "run", and move up to the more complicated ones. (bake, baked, (are) baking, (have) baked ) This will be a good time to banish the word "brung" from your classroom forever. For some students, this may be all they can take for now, especially if they don't have much grammar background.

If you choose to go on, then you can show them how to use the four principle parts to form the tenses as the previous answer directs. Seventh graders pay more attention to silly sentences, especially sentences that use their names. "James wears a dunce cap." "James has worn a dunce cap." And so forth...A big timeline on the board works well to show how one event relates to another in time. Active strategies, such as having students cut out sentences and match them with their tense, appeal to more than one learning style and help kids make connections.

Good luck.

Answer 3

To whom?