Grade 1-2 Present Continuous — Printable No-Prep Worksheet

This Grade 1-2 grammar worksheet provides targeted practice with the present continuous tense and plural subjects. Students complete eight sentences by applying the "are + verb-ing" structure, reinforcing proper subject-verb agreement for describing ongoing actions. It's a fundamental skill-builder for early writers.

At a Glance

• Grade: 1–2 · Subject: ELA / Grammar
• Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1.E — Use verbs to convey a sense of past, present, and future.
• Skill Focus: Present continuous tense with plural subjects
• Format: 2 pages · 8 problems · Answer key included · PDF
• Best For: Independent practice, morning work, or sub plans
• Time: 10–15 minutes

What's Inside

Inside this PDF, you'll find a single-page worksheet and a corresponding answer key. The student page features eight clear fill-in-the-blank problems, each with a plural subject and base verb. The clean layout and included key allow for quick teacher grading or student self-checking.

Zero-Prep Workflow

This resource is built for efficiency. 1. Print: The PDF takes less than 30 seconds to print. 2. Distribute: Hand out the sheets for immediate student engagement—no complex setup required. 3. Review: Use the answer key for a rapid 90-second grading session. The total teacher prep and review time is under two minutes, making this a reliable resource for sub plans, grammar centers, or morning work.

Standards Alignment

This worksheet directly aligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1.E, where students learn to "use verbs to convey a sense of past, present, and future." By focusing on the present continuous form ("are + verb-ing"), students practice describing actions happening now. The code can be copied directly into lesson plans or curriculum tools.

How to Use It

Use this worksheet for independent practice after a mini-lesson on present continuous verbs. It serves as a great formative assessment; as students work, check if they consistently use the auxiliary verb "are." This quick observation provides valuable data. Most first and second graders complete the eight sentences in 10-15 minutes.

Who It's For

This resource is for first and second graders learning subject-verb agreement. It is helpful for students needing focused, repetitive practice on a single grammar rule. For support, pair this worksheet with an anchor chart showing examples of plural subjects (e.g., "The dogs," "We") and the "are + verb-ing" formula.

Foundational grammar skills predict later writing success, a finding supported by NAEP analyses. This worksheet provides structured practice on a critical early grammar rule: subject-verb agreement in the present continuous tense (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1.E). By isolating this skill, students build automaticity for fluent writing. Research from Fisher & Frey (2014) highlights the importance of independent practice within a gradual release framework to solidify procedural knowledge. This resource offers eight focused opportunities for learners to apply the "are + verb-ing" rule with plural subjects, moving them from cognitive load to mastery. This targeted approach ensures students can accurately use verbs to convey a sense of the present.