Teaching irregular past tense verbs has always been one of those grammar lessons that I knew my students needed, but I also knew it could get really boring really fast. Unlike regular past tense verbs that simply add "-ed," irregular verbs don’t follow predictable rules. This makes them tricky for young learners who thrive on patterns.
When I first started teaching them, I did what most teachers do, I gave my students lists of verbs and had them practice writing sentences. And guess what? It didn’t work. My students would memorize a few of the words for the moment, but when it came time to actually use them in conversation or writing, they’d forget or mix them up.
I knew I needed a different approach, something more engaging and hands-on. That’s when I started using interactive verb puzzles and movement-based activities. And let me tell you—this completely changed how my students learned and retained irregular verbs!
Why Irregular Verbs Are So Tough for Kids
Think about how we naturally speak. Most of us don’t remember "learning" irregular verbs—we just absorbed them from listening and talking. But for our students, especially English language learners (ELLs) or those struggling with grammar, irregular past tense verbs are like a list of random, unrelated words they have to memorize.
There’s no clear rule that explains why we say:
- run → ran but not "runned"
- go → went (how did we even get "went" from "go"??)
- eat → ate but beat → beat (no change at all!)
So instead of expecting kids to just "remember" these verbs, I knew I needed a strategy that would help them see the connections, practice in meaningful ways, and have fun while learning.
What Finally Worked: Hands-On Learning & Games
After experimenting with different activities, I found that movement and hands-on practice made a huge difference. Here are the top activities that helped my students master irregular past tense verbs:
🔹 Verb Puzzle Match-Up
I created a simple puzzle activity where students match:
1️⃣ The present tense verb
2️⃣ A picture clue
3️⃣ The irregular past tense verb
For example, they’d match "see" → (picture of eyes) → "saw" or "swim" → (picture of a pool) → "swam". By physically putting the pieces together, they could visualize the connections between the verbs, making it easier to remember.
How I Used It in My Classroom:
- Small groups: Students worked together to complete their verb puzzles.
- Scoot activity: I placed puzzle pieces around the room, and students had to "hunt" for their matching past tense verb.
- Partner practice: One student picked a present tense verb, and the other had to find its past tense form.
You can print in color or what I do -- when our school's color ink is out-- print on color paper. :)
This activity removes the pressure of memorization and lets kids use visual and tactile learning to reinforce tricky verbs.
This verb puzzle game is in my Verb Fun Pack which has over 10+ games and worksheets to teach verbs.
Another huge hit in my classroom was Verb Charades. Instead of just reading verbs from a list, students got to act them out.
Here’s how we played:
1️⃣ One student picks a verb from a card (e.g., run).
2️⃣ They act it out while the rest of the class guesses what it is.
3️⃣ Once they figure it out, we all say the past tense form together ("Ran!").
This was especially great for kinesthetic learners who needed to physically move in order to absorb new information. Plus, it was so much fun—even my quiet students loved participating!
Writing Practice with a Twist: Silly Story Time
After all the hands-on and movement-based practice, I wanted to bring writing into the mix without making it feel like a chore. So, I started using Silly Story Time.
Each student picked three irregular past tense verbs and had to write a short (and often hilarious) story using them. Here’s an example from one of my students:
"Yesterday, I woke up late and ran to school with my shoes on the wrong feet. Then, I ate a sandwich that I found in my backpack… but I think it was from last week!"
They loved this because it felt creative and personal, and I loved it because they were actually using irregular past tense verbs in context.
The Big Takeaway: Make It Fun & Meaningful
Through all of these activities, I learned that the best way to teach irregular past tense verbs isn’t through memorization drills—it’s through play, movement, and storytelling. When students engage with verbs in multiple ways, they don’t just remember them for a test; they use them naturally in their speaking and writing.
I started off hating teaching irregular verbs! I now use this resource every year. It’s been a game-changer in my classroom, and my students actually look forward to learning verbs now!
If you’re struggling to teach irregular past tense verbs, try adding hands-on activities, movement, and storytelling to your lessons. Your students will learn faster, retain more, and actually have fun in the process!
