Module 16: Past Tense Verbs /
Mga Pandiwang Pangnakaraan (-um, nag-)

written by Amy C. Peria & Precious Arao

Background

This teaching module on past tense verbs, -um- and nag-, is designed for high school students. However, it can be modified to teach college/university students. This module was created to understand the conjugation of -um- and mag- verbs, and write and create sentences using a verb, actor, and time expression.

Motivating Activity

This activity will help students practice their listening comprehension skills. Make sure to discuss the video with the students and answer any questions they have regarding translations if needed. This video will also be used for an activity later.
1. Watch video: Advance Mag-Isip
Ask the students to write down what types of actions (sat, talked, ate, etc.) they noticed in the video. English is ok for now if the students do not know it in Tagalog. You may need to translate some words later if needed. These actions will be used to write -um- and mag- verbs.
2. In small groups, have students discuss what happened in the video. Encourage students to discuss in Taglish or Tagalog as much as possible. ​
Guide Questions:
  • What does “advance mag-isip” mean?​
  • Bakit single si Prince?
  • What happened to all of Prince’s dates?
  • What realization did Prince have?
  • What happened to Prince and Genesis?
  • ​What actions happened in the story?
Advance Mag-Isip

Processing Activity (-Um- Verbs)

1. Explain um- verbs: UM is an infix and an actor-focus verb.
2.  Show students how to do the conjugation of UM verbs in past tense and have them physically do the conjugation on a board or piece of paper.

To form the past tense of an UM verb, place the UM between the first consonant and the first vowel:
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You may use the following vocabulary words for conjugation practice of UM verbs. Before going into the conjugation, read each word with the students (you say it first, then have the students repeat you) to assist them with correct pronunciation.

Add more words for the students to practice with.

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Culminating Activity

​Creating Sentences
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1. Explain the sentence order to the students. This sentence order uses the verb, actor, object, and time expression.

The students are not limited to the actors and time expressions stated in the table:
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This is the breakdown of the words to assist with pronunciation of the time expressions:
Example: Kumain si Mae ng adobo kagabi.

2. Explain to the students how to negate the sentence: add “Hindi” in front of the sentence. Don’t forget to place the pronouns after “hindi” (before the verb) to make it sound more natural.

Example: Hindi kumain si Mae ng adobo kagabi.
​3. Have students write four (4) sentences using NAG- verbs, then have them negate the sentences they created.

Enrichment Activity

This activity provides practice on speaking, listening, and comprehension.
1. Have students write a short story narration using at least 2 -um- verbs from this list. The students are also free to use their own verbs outside of this list.
Example:
Verb + Actor + Location + Time Expression: Sumakay ako sa eroplano noong 2012
2. Have students read their short story narration. After a student shares their short story, ask another student to summarize what happened in the story.

Processing Activity (-Nag Verbs)

1. Explain mag- verbs: mag- verbs are also actor-focused verbs. The past tense of mag- verb is nag- + root. ​
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2. Show students how to do the conjugation of NAG verbs in past tense and have them physically do the conjugation on a board or piece of paper.
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Make sure to use a dash if the root word begins with a vowel. No need to use a dash if the root word begins with a consonant.

​You may use the following vocabulary words for conjugation practice of MAG verbs (past tense). Before going into the conjugation, read each word with the students (you say it first, then have the students repeat you) to assist them with correct pronunciation.
Practice Activity:
  1. From the video earlier, ask the students to write down on the board or piece of white paper what the actions/verbs they found in the video using mag- past tense verbs.

For example:  nagsalita (speak) si _____ , nagtanong (ask a question) ang babae, nag-usap (talk to each other) sina _____ at _______, etc.

Culminating Activity

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Using the VERB + ACTOR + OBJECT + TIME EXPRESSION order, have students write four (4) sentences using NAG- verbs, then have them negate the sentences they created.

Enrichment Activity

This activity provides practice on speaking, listening, and comprehension.
​2. Have students write a short story narration using at least 2 NAG verbs from this list. The students are also free to use their own verbs outside of this list.
Example:  
Verb + Actor + Location + Time Expression: Nagbakasyon   kami  sa California   noong 2012.
3. Have students read their short story narration. After a student shares their short story, ask another student to summarize what happened in the story.

Resources