Language and Grammar: Negotiate

Role-Play With a group, act out a negotiation between volunteers at a soup kitchen and local farmers. Use present perfect tense verbs as you negotiate and make compromises.

We have needed more vegetables for some time now.

We have given you extra corn for over a month.

Writing and Grammar: Write about Helping Others

Study the Models When you write, make sure your readers can follow the action without confusion. Use the correct verbs depending on when the action happens.

Not Ok

Raul has wanted to help people for a long time, so he has volunteered at a shelter last week. Yesterday, he has learned that this shelter has opened its doors five years ago. Hundreds of people received hot meals since the shelter opened. The director of the shelter has served food to anyone in need. She has donated her time and talents to those less fortunate.

This writer uses the present perfect to tell about an action that happened last week. The reader is confused.

Ok

Raul has wanted to help people for a long time, so he volunteered at a shelter last week. Yesterday, he learned that this shelter opened its doors five years ago. Hundreds of people have received hot meals since the shelter opened. The director of the shelter has served food to anyone in need. She has donated her time and talents to those less fortunate.

This writer makes it easier to follow the action.

Add Sentences Think of two sentences to add to the OK model above. Be sure to make it clear whether the action already happened or may still be going on.

Illustration of the pen icon WRITE ON YOUR OWN Write about something you have done in the past to help someone. Be sure to use words correctly to show when action happens. Make sure your reader can follow the action without confusion.

Remember

  • • Use the past tense if you know when a past action happened.

  • • Use the present perfect tense to tell about a past action that may still be going on now.