Grade 1 Present & Future Tense Verbs | Essential

This Grade 1 ELA worksheet helps students master the distinction between present and future tense verbs. By analyzing 10 specific sentences, learners identify whether an action is happening now or will happen later. This targeted practice ensures students build the foundational grammar skills necessary for clear writing and reading comprehension.

At a Glance

• Grade: 1 · Subject: ELA
• Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1.E — Use verbs to convey a sense of past, present, and future
• Skill Focus: Present and Future Verb Tenses
• Format: 1 page · 10 problems · Answer key included · PDF
• Best For: Quick formative assessment or grammar review
• Time: 10–15 minutes

The worksheet features 10 multiple-choice questions centered on a cohesive narrative about Carla and her dad. Each task presents a complete sentence and asks the student to choose between "present tense" and "future tense." The single-page layout is clean and distraction-free, including a dedicated space for the student's name and grade. A full answer key is provided for rapid grading.

Zero-Prep Workflow:

• Print: Select the PDF and print enough copies for your class (30 seconds).
• Distribute: Hand out the single-page sheet as a morning warm-up or exit ticket (1 minute).
• Review: Use the included answer key to grade or have students self-correct during a whole-group review (5 minutes).

Total teacher prep time is under 2 minutes, making this an ideal sub plan or last-minute grammar supplement.

Standards Alignment
This resource is directly aligned with `CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1.E`, which requires students to use verbs to convey a sense of past, present, and future. It specifically targets the identification of the auxiliary verb "will" as a marker for future actions. This standard code can be copied directly into lesson plans, IEP goals, or district curriculum mapping tools.

How to Use It
Use this worksheet during the independent practice phase of a grammar lesson. It serves as an excellent formative assessment after introducing the concept of the future tense using "will." Teachers should observe if students can distinguish between the base verb (e.g., "waits") and the future construction (e.g., "will drop"). Expected completion time is 10 to 15 minutes.

Who It's For
This resource is designed for first-grade students or kindergarteners ready for introductory grammar. It is also suitable for English Language Learners (ELLs) who need practice identifying temporal markers in English sentences. Pair this worksheet with a visual anchor chart showing "Now" vs. "Later" to support visual learners.

According to Fisher & Frey (2014), the gradual release of responsibility model is most effective when students have access to clear, focused independent practice that mirrors direct instruction. This worksheet provides that bridge for `CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1.E` by isolating present and future tense identification within a familiar context. Research from the NAEP indicates that early mastery of verb tenses is a significant predictor of later writing fluency and syntactic complexity. By engaging with these 10 structured tasks, students internalize the linguistic patterns of the English language. This resource offers a reliable way to measure student progress toward grammar mastery without the burden of extensive teacher preparation. The inclusion of the "will" auxiliary verb helps students transition from simple present-tense observations to more complex temporal reasoning in their own compositions.