Activity Overview
After becoming familiar with the conjugations for the imperfect tense, both regular and irregular forms, students should then practice the common uses. One of these uses is for descriptions. When stating the time, weather, mental or physical states of characters, or the ongoing or background activities before any main action occurs, a student would use the imperfect tense.
In this activity, students will create a spider map that focuses solely on the description of a narrative. The cells should work together as part of the same narrative, but each cell will isolate the most common descriptive tasks the imperfect tense performs: time, age, weather, and character's mental states. You may choose to provide a scenario for students to work with, or allow them to get creative!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a spider map that uses the imperfect tense to describe the time, weather, mental or physical states of characters, or the ongoing or background activities for a narrative. Your descriptions should work together as part of the narrative, but will be isolated.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the center, label the use of the imperfect tense (Descriptions.)
- In the titles for each cell, identify the thing that is being described (age, time, weather, etc.)
- Write a sentence for each using the imperfect tense properly.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
After becoming familiar with the conjugations for the imperfect tense, both regular and irregular forms, students should then practice the common uses. One of these uses is for descriptions. When stating the time, weather, mental or physical states of characters, or the ongoing or background activities before any main action occurs, a student would use the imperfect tense.
In this activity, students will create a spider map that focuses solely on the description of a narrative. The cells should work together as part of the same narrative, but each cell will isolate the most common descriptive tasks the imperfect tense performs: time, age, weather, and character's mental states. You may choose to provide a scenario for students to work with, or allow them to get creative!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a spider map that uses the imperfect tense to describe the time, weather, mental or physical states of characters, or the ongoing or background activities for a narrative. Your descriptions should work together as part of the narrative, but will be isolated.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the center, label the use of the imperfect tense (Descriptions.)
- In the titles for each cell, identify the thing that is being described (age, time, weather, etc.)
- Write a sentence for each using the imperfect tense properly.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about Using the Spanish Imperfect: Description
How to help students distinguish between preterite and imperfect in descriptions
Clarify the key differences between preterite and imperfect tenses in context. Use clear examples to show when to use each tense for description versus completed actions.
Model example sentences with both tenses side-by-side
Show students pairs of sentences that describe the same scenario using both tenses. Discuss how the meaning changes when switching from imperfect to preterite, focusing on background vs. completed actions.
Guide students to highlight time phrases that signal each tense
Identify common time expressions, such as "cuando era niño" (when I was a child) for the imperfect and "ayer" (yesterday) for the preterite. Practice matching phrases to the correct tense in sample sentences.
Create a collaborative T-chart for classifying sentences
Draw a large T-chart on the board labeled Imperfect and Preterite. Invite students to sort example sentences into the correct column, explaining their reasoning aloud for peer learning.
Assign a quick-write comparing a character’s state versus actions
Ask students to write two sentences: one describing a character’s ongoing state (using imperfect) and one describing a specific event (using preterite). Review as a class to reinforce the distinction.
Frequently Asked Questions about Using the Spanish Imperfect: Description
What is the Spanish imperfect tense used for in descriptions?
The Spanish imperfect tense is used to describe past events that were ongoing, habitual, or provided background details. This includes stating the time, weather, age, and mental or physical states of characters in a narrative.
How can students practice using the imperfect tense for narrative descriptions?
Students can create a spider map to practice the imperfect tense by writing sentences that describe time, weather, age, and characters' states, ensuring each description uses the imperfect appropriately within a connected story.
What are examples of descriptive tasks for the imperfect tense in Spanish?
Common descriptive tasks include stating the time of day, describing the weather, mentioning a character’s age, and expressing mental or physical states in the past, all using the imperfect tense.
Why is the imperfect tense important for setting the scene in Spanish storytelling?
The imperfect tense is vital for setting the scene because it provides background information and context, helping readers or listeners understand ongoing situations before main actions occur in a story.
What’s an easy classroom activity to teach the imperfect tense for descriptions?
An effective activity is having students design a spider map where they write and illustrate sentences for each descriptive use of the imperfect tense—like time, weather, age, and states—within a single narrative framework.
More Storyboard That Activities
Preterite vs. Imperfect
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