Present Tense -ing Verbs Worksheet | Grade 1 Printable

This Grade 1 grammar worksheet empowers young learners to master the present continuous tense by combining helping verbs with action words. Students practice the critical linguistic transition of adding the -ing suffix to base verbs while correctly selecting between "is" and "are" based on subject-verb agreement. This structured approach ensures immediate application of new grammar rules.

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 actions
• Skill Focus: Present Continuous Verbs (-ing)
• Format: 3 pages · 16 problems · Answer key included · PDF
• Best For: Independent grammar practice and formative assessment
• Time: 15–20 minutes

What's Inside: This comprehensive packet includes three pages of targeted practice. It begins with a clear instructional header defining the "is/are" rule and the orthographic requirement for dropping the silent 'e' before adding -ing. The 16 tasks are divided into "Build the Verb" conjugation exercises, "Finish the Sentence" contextual applications, and a "Bonus Practice" section for building confidence with irregular spelling patterns.

The zero-prep workflow is designed for maximum efficiency in the modern classroom. Teachers can print the three-page set in under 30 seconds, distribute them to the class, and allow students to work through the scaffolded examples. Reviewing the 16 tasks takes less than two minutes using the included full-page answer key, making this an ideal solution for emergency sub plans or morning work.

Standards Alignment

This resource is explicitly aligned to `CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1.E`, focusing on the student's ability to use verbs to convey a sense of present action. By requiring students to modify base verbs and pair them with auxiliary verbs, the worksheet also supports foundational syntax skills. Both standard codes can be copied directly into lesson plans, IEP goals, or district curriculum mapping tools.

How to Use It

Deploy this worksheet immediately after a direct instruction lesson on the present continuous tense to provide high-success independent practice. It also serves as a focused formative assessment tool; teachers can observe if students remember to drop the silent 'e' in words like "bake" or "smile" to gauge instructional needs. The 15-minute completion time fits perfectly into ELA rotations.

Who It's For

This resource is tailored for first-grade students but provides excellent remediation for second graders needing a grammar refresher. The clear sentence frames and visual tips make it accessible for English Language Learners (ELL) and students with IEP goals focused on verb tense consistency. It pairs naturally with a short reading passage featuring present-action narrative text.

According to the Fisher & Frey (2014) framework for gradual release of responsibility, structured independent practice is vital for cementing new grammatical conventions in early literacy. This Grade 1 worksheet provides 16 specific opportunities for students to apply the `CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1.E` standard, moving from isolated verb construction to integrated sentence completion. Research indicates that explicit instruction in inflectional endings, such as the -ing suffix, significantly correlates with increased reading fluency and writing accuracy in primary grades. By providing a clear rule-based approach to present tense conjugation, this resource aligns with best practices for morphological awareness. The inclusion of three distinct practice sections ensures that students reach the repetition threshold necessary for long-term retention of verb-tense rules. This printable asset offers a complete instructional cycle from rule introduction to independent mastery, supporting rigorous district-wide ELA curriculum standards.