Practicing the conjugation of reflexive verbs is very important for first time learners. Have students complete the following storyboard exercise to practice this skill and to fit the forms into simple contexts. Students can be directed to use the present tense, preterite tense, or the imperfect tense depending on their level.
Students should select the grid layout, and treat the cells like a verb chart, placing their selected reflexive verb into each cell according to the different subject pronoun conjugations of yo, tú, él/ella/Ud., nosotros, vosotros, and ellos/ellas/Uds. In each cell, students will include the proper conjugation of their reflexive verb within the context of a sentence. The cell should also illustrate the chosen sentence. Below each cell in the description box, students will reinforce the conjugation by retyping just the conjugated reflexive verb.
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Connect new grammar to students’ lives by using familiar daily routines. This helps students see how reflexive verbs fit into real situations they experience, like waking up or brushing teeth.
Pick activities like levantarse (to get up), cepillarse (to brush), or vestirse (to get dressed). Using well-known actions keeps learning relevant and less intimidating for beginners.
Say simple sentences like “Yo me levanto a las siete.” Hearing reflexive verbs in context and with gestures helps students connect meaning to forms.
Have the class stand up and mime the actions as they say “Me despierto,” “Me cepillo los dientes,” etc. Movement reinforces both vocabulary and correct verb forms.
Build a visible reference together that matches pronouns, verbs, and daily routines. This chart supports visual learners and provides a go-to guide for practice.
Spanish reflexive verbs are verbs used when the subject performs an action on themselves, like lavarse (to wash oneself). To conjugate, add the correct reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) before the verb and change the verb ending to match the subject and tense.
Use a storyboard activity where students fill in a grid with reflexive verb forms for each pronoun, create sentences using those forms, and illustrate each sentence. This visual and contextual approach helps students practice and remember conjugations.
Have students create a verb chart in a grid format. In each cell, they write a sentence using the reflexive verb for a specific subject pronoun and tense, then illustrate the action. Retyping the conjugated verb below reinforces learning.
Common mistakes include forgetting to use the reflexive pronoun, mixing up pronouns, or using the wrong verb tense. Emphasize correct pronoun placement and practicing with different tenses to avoid confusion.
Examples: Me levanto (I get up), Te duchas (You shower), Nos acostamos (We go to bed). Each uses a reflexive pronoun and the verb conjugated for the subject.