Activity Overview
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
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 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.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Label the columns "Preterite" and "Imperfect".
- In each cell header, identify the different uses of each tense.
- In the description, write a sentence using the correct tense.
- Create an illustration for each using appropriate scenes, items, and characters.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
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
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 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.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Label the columns "Preterite" and "Imperfect".
- In each cell header, identify the different uses of each tense.
- In the description, write a sentence using the correct tense.
- Create an illustration for each using appropriate scenes, items, and characters.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about Spanish Preterite vs. Imperfect: Concept
How to teach students to choose between preterite and imperfect in storytelling
Guide learners in selecting the correct tense when narrating events. Help students develop a strong sense of when to use preterite for completed actions and imperfect for ongoing or descriptive details in storytelling.
Model a story using both tenses
Share a simple story that alternates between preterite and imperfect. Read aloud or display a brief narrative, emphasizing how you use preterite for single, finished events and imperfect for background, habits, or descriptions.
Highlight signal words for each tense
List common time expressions that cue each tense. Point out words like 'ayer', 'una vez', and 'el año pasado' for preterite, and 'siempre', 'mientras', and 'de niño' for imperfect, so students recognize clues in context.
Practice with short story prompts
Give students sentence starters that require them to decide which tense fits best. Encourage them to explain their choices, helping reinforce their understanding of the differences between the two tenses.
Review as a group and discuss
Invite students to share their sentences and reasoning. Facilitate a class discussion to address confusion and clarify tense usage, ensuring all students have a chance to participate.
Frequently Asked Questions about Spanish Preterite vs. Imperfect: Concept
What is the difference between the Spanish preterite and imperfect tenses?
The preterite tense in Spanish is used for actions that are completed or happened at a specific moment, while the imperfect tense describes ongoing, habitual, or background actions in the past. Choosing the correct tense depends on whether the action had a clear beginning or end, or was repetitive or descriptive.
How can I help students easily remember when to use preterite vs. imperfect?
Use a T chart to visually compare examples: list completed actions with specific time frames under preterite, and ongoing, repeated, or descriptive actions under imperfect. Linking each tense to keywords like "yesterday" (preterite) or "always" (imperfect) also helps students remember.
What are some quick classroom activities to teach preterite vs. imperfect?
Try activities like making a T chart with example sentences, creating storyboards for each tense, or role-playing scenarios where students choose the correct past tense. These interactive exercises reinforce understanding through practice and visualization.
When should I use the preterite tense instead of the imperfect in Spanish?
Use the preterite tense for actions that are completed, have a clear start and finish, or happened once at a defined time. For example: "Ayer comí pizza" (Yesterday I ate pizza). Avoid it for background descriptions or ongoing actions.
Can you give examples of sentences using preterite and imperfect tenses?
Sure! Preterite example: "El año pasado viajé a México." (Last year I traveled to Mexico). Imperfect example: "Cuando era niño, jugaba con mis amigos todos los días." (When I was a child, I used to play with my friends every day).
More Storyboard That Activities
Preterite vs. Imperfect
This Activity is Part of Many Teacher Guides
Testimonials
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
