Level 1 Unit 1

1.1.1 - Pronouns and Be

In the first movie, the students will meet BrainPOP ESL’s main characters, Ben and Moby, and learn about personal pronouns, and the verb to be.

Grammar Skills:
Personal Pronouns
Be: Present Tense, Affirmative

Lesson Ideas

1.1.2 - Be (Negative)

Moby is putting on a magic show, with Ben as his assistant. As he performs a variety of tricks, Moby and Ben introduce the negative forms of the verb to be in the present tense.

Grammar Skills:
Be: Present Tense, Negative

Lesson Ideas

1.1.3 - Be (Questions)

In this lesson, Moby comes to visit Ben, bringing him a surprise. As Ben tries to guess what’s in the box, students are introduced to the interrogative form of the verb to be.

Grammar Skills:
Be: Yes/No Questions
Be: Wh- Questions

Lesson Ideas

1.1.4 - Adjectives and Prepositions

Moby is walking dogs in the park. As he tries to keep track of all the different dogs, students are introduced to simple adjectives and prepositions of place.

Grammar Skills:
Adjectives: form and place in the sentence
Prepositions: basic prepositions of place

Lesson Ideas

1.1.5 - Commands

Ben coaches Moby in the Robot Olympics, as the students learn the structure of commands in English.

Grammar Skills:
Commands: Affirmative
Commands: Negative
Let's: Suggestions
Let's: Requests

Lesson Ideas

Level 1 Unit 2

1.2.1 - Present Progressive

While Ben is cleaning the room, Moby and the others are having fun outside. As Moby realizes that friendship means helping one another, students learn the Present Progressive.

Grammar Skills:
Present Progressive: Affirmative

Lesson Ideas

1.2.2 - Present Progressive (Neg)

A museum and its dinosaur exhibit serve as a setting for Ben and Moby to tackle museum regulations, and for ESL students to learn the Present Progressive in the negative.

Grammar Skills:
Present Progressive: Negative

Lesson Ideas

1.2.3 - Present Progressive (Ques)

Why is Moby making so much noise? What is he cooking? As ESL students find the answers to these questions, they also learn to ask such questions themselves.

Grammar Skills:
Present Progressive: Yes/No Questions
Present Progressive: Wh- Questions

Lesson Ideas

1.2.4 - Stative Verbs

As Ben and Moby are listening to a rock band they love, they see that Mother is coming home. Now only Moby can save the day! The movie introduces ESL students to the difference between Stative Verbs and verbs that take the –ing form.

Grammar Skills:
Stative Verbs: Present Tense
Stative Verbs / Present Progressive

Lesson Ideas

1.2.5 - Review: Present Progressive

Moby seems to be too busy to help his good friend Ben, but their friendship is so strong that Ben doesn't take no for an answer. The movie reviews many of the grammatical points in the unit.

Grammar Skills:
Present Progressive (Review)
Stative Verbs (Review)

Lesson Ideas

Level 1 Unit 3

1.3.1 - Definite and Indefinite Articles

On a cloudy day, the two friends take a large beach umbrella and go out for a picnic. As our students find out if the umbrella was useful or not, they learn about the importance of these small words: the articles.

Grammar Skills:
Definite Articles
Indefinite Articles

Lesson Ideas

1.3.2 - Adjectives and Nouns

Inspired by the players, the cheerleaders and the spectators at a basketball game they watch on TV, Ben and Moby want to play the game too.This lesson is about plural nouns alongside a review and expansion on the subject of adjectives.

Grammar Skills:
Adjectives II
Nouns: Singular / Plural

Lesson Ideas

1.3.3 - There is / There are

There are strange creatures in the park when Ben and Moby go there with their telescope. The lesson focuses on there is and there are in the positive, negative and question forms.

Grammar Skills:
There is / There are

Lesson Ideas

1.3.4 - Count / Non-count Nouns

"Is there any food in the house?" Ben and Moby return home and ask the same old question that children and teenagers all over the world ask.The lesson focuses on the differences between count and non-count nouns and on the use of some and any.

Grammar Skills:
Count Nouns
Non-count Nouns
Some
How much
Any
How Many

Lesson Ideas

1.3.5 - Review: Nouns and Articles

What happens when Ben and Moby are tired of watching TV and venture out to do something more exciting? The lesson reviews much of the vocabulary, nouns, some determiners and there is/are.

Grammar Skills:
Count / Non-Count Nouns (Review)
There is / There are (Review)
Singular / Plural Nouns (Review)

Lesson Ideas

Level 1 Unit 4

1.4.1 - Present Simple

Mike, Ben's good friend, goes to Spain every summer. Mike's weekly letters from Spain are a good opportunity to talk about languages and habitual activities using the Present Simple in the affirmative.

Grammar Skills:
Present Simple: Affirmative
Time terms

Lesson Ideas

1.4.2 - Present Simple (Negative)

Moby wants to join Ben's cool rock band. As Moby tries to see how he can be useful to the band, ESL students learn the Present Simple in the negative and are introduced to the structure of agent nouns in English.

Grammar Skills:
Present Simple: Negative

Lesson Ideas

1.4.3 - Present Simple (Questions)

Together with Ben, we meet a new character, Moby's pet dog. As Ben inquires about the dog's habits, our ESL students learn how to build questions in the Present Simple.

Grammar Skills:
Present Simple: Yes/No Questions
Present Simple: Wh- Questions

Lesson Ideas

1.4.4 - Have / Has

Does Ben have a best friend? Ben tackles that question while Moby waits in anticipation for the inevitable and comforting answer. While Ben searches for his best friend, our ESL students learn have/has in the Present Simple.

Grammar Skills:
Have / Has: Affirmative
Have / Has: Negative
Have / Has: Questions

Lesson Ideas

1.4.5 - Review: Present Simple

This lesson focuses on the saying "An apple a day, keeps the doctor away" and its implications for both Ben and Moby. The lesson is a review of the Present Simple.

Grammar Skills:
Present Simple (Review)

Lesson Ideas

Level 1 Unit 5

1.5.1 - Possessives

Ben calls Moby to come and join him as he looks through his mother's pictures.As the two friends look at the old pictures of the family and themselves, our students learn the possessives: the possessive adjective and the possessive noun.

Grammar Skills:
Possessive Adjectives
Possessive Nouns

Lesson Ideas

1.5.2 - Tag Questions

It's Ed's birthday, so Ben and Moby go to the mall to look for a gift for their friend. They don't know what to get with the little money they have. While Ben tries to decide what he and Moby should get, he seeks Moby’s opinion by using tag questions.

Grammar Skills:
Tag Questions

Lesson Ideas

1.5.3 - Past Simple Be

Who was the troublemaker when Ben and Moby were little kids? Was it Ben or Moby? It seems that Ben has lost his memory. While Moby helps Ben recall the facts, our students take their initial steps in the past tense with the verb be.

Grammar Skills:
Past Simple Be: Affirmative
Past Simple Be: Negative

Lesson Ideas

1.5.4 - Past Simple Be (Questions)

Moby had an accident and Ben wants to find out where, when and how it happened. Moby is a bit reluctant to disclose the circumstances but Ben insists. As Ben continues to inquire, our students are introduced to questions in the past simple using the verb be.

Grammar Skills:
Past Simple Be: Yes/No Questions
Past Simple Be: Wh- Questions

Lesson Ideas

1.5.5 - Review: Past Simple Be

It's Nikki's birthday and Ben and Moby want to surprise her with something special. But, as often happens, good intentions don't always work out. This setting serves as a springboard to review the topics of the unit, namely: the different forms of the possessive, tag questions and be in the past.

Grammar Skills:
Past Simple, Be (Review)
Tag Questions (Review)
Possessives (Review)

Lesson Ideas

Level 1 Unit 6

1.6.1 - Past Simple (Regular Verbs)

Something strange happened to Ben last night when he arrived home from school. As Ben relates his scary experience to his best friend Moby, our students find out what happened and why Ben was so scared. Meanwhile, they are exposed to the Past Simple affirmative form of regular verbs.

Grammar Skills:
Past Simple: Regular Verbs

Lesson Ideas

1.6.2 - Past Simple (Irregular Verbs)

Ben dreamed he was a sailor, sailing on his ship around the world with his good friend Moby. But when he woke up he realized that it was really just a dream. Or was it? As our ESL students follow Ben and Moby in Ben's dream, they learn some irregular verbs in the past and some nationalities.

Grammar Skills:
Past Simple: Irregular Verbs
Nationalities

Lesson Ideas

1.6.3 - Past Simple (Negative)

What happened when Ben didn't sleep on Sunday night? As one thing led to another, each day that week brought its new unfortunate incident all because of that one sleepless night on Sunday. This movie is about school, the days of the week and the negative form of the Past Simple.

Grammar Skills:
Past Simple: Negative
Days of the week

Lesson Ideas

1.6.4 - Past Simple (Questions)

It's spring, just the right time to go camping. As Ben and Moby sit outside their tents they look through their bags to see what they brought. What did they bring? Moby has three strange items in his bag. Why did he bring them? As our ESL students ask and find answers to these questions, they learn the four seasons and are introduced to the question form in the Past Simple.

Grammar Skills:
Past Simple: Yes/No Questions
Past Simple: Wh- Questions

Lesson Ideas

1.6.5 - Review: Past Simple

What happened when Ben and Moby had to go to a party and couldn't find the house keys? Who had the keys last? At first the two friends blame each other, but then they retrace their steps from the moment they opened the door. As we follow the two in their search for the lost keys, our students review the Past Simple and find out where the keys were.

Grammar Skills:
Past Simple (Review)

Lesson Ideas

Level 2 Unit 1

2.1.1 - Phrasal Verbs

Ben shows Moby his big postcard collection. As the two friends go over Ben's collection, they count the postcards and talk about the different countries. Ben explains how he looks up information about these countries and learns geography through his hobby. Moby and our ESL students learn why hobbies are worthwhile, as well as a few phrasal verbs, counting up to a hundred and some more nationalities.

Grammar Skills:
Phrasal Verbs
Nationalities II
Numbers 1-100

Lesson Ideas

2.1.2 - This / That / These / Those

The librarian wants to open a new research library and needs help putting the books in alphabetical order. The work must be finished before three o'clock. Ben and Moby are eager to help, but will they be able to do all the work in time? This setting is a good opportunity to introduce the demonstratives, to teach how to tell time and to remind our students of the correct order of the alphabet.

Grammar Skills:
This / That / These / Those
Alphabetical Order
Telling Time

Lesson Ideas

2.1.3 - Object Pronouns

Ben reads Moby a scary story when they're on their camping trip at night. Ben falls asleep in the middle of the story. He hears weird noises. Is it the new Frankenstein monster? As our ESL students follow Ben and Moby deep into the forest, they learn more irregular verbs in the Past Simple tense and are introduced to object pronouns.

Grammar Skills:
Object Pronouns
Irregular Verbs II

Lesson Ideas

2.1.4 - Reflexives and Can

Nikki has a new puppy and Ben is looking after it. Moby is interested to find out what the cute puppy can do. Together with Moby, our students learn about different kinds of mammals. They also learn about reflexive pronouns and the modal verb can in its positive, negative and interrogative forms.

Grammar Skills:
Can: Present Simple
Reflexive Pronouns

Lesson Ideas

2.1.5 - Review: Reflexive and Object Pronouns

Ben and Moby decide to take Fighter to the school dog show. Fighter has an hour to practice. His chances of winning seem very promising, but can he perform his tricks when it’s show time? As we follow Fighter's training, our ESL students review the grammatical points in the unit.

Grammar Skills:
Phrasal Verbs (Review)
Can: Present Simple (Review)
Object Pronouns (Review)
This / That / These / Those (Review)
Reflexive Pronouns (Review)

Lesson Ideas

Level 2 Unit 2

2.2.1 - Going to/Possessive Pronouns

Ben and Moby are at a school fair called "Jobs of the Future." As they walk around, they get a glimpse of what their friends are going to be in the future. Thinking about their future careers is exciting to both of them. This is an opportunity for our ESL students to join Ben and Moby and learn to use the future tense in English. This lesson also introduces our students to the possessive pronouns. The future is theirs!

Grammar Skills:
Future: Going to
Possessive Pronouns

Lesson Ideas

2.2.2 - Future: Will

There are elections for school president and Ben wants to be elected. He already has some ideas of what he will do as school president. However, when Moby opens the box of suggestions sent by the students, Ben realizes it won't be so easy to please everyone.

Grammar Skills:
Future: Will

Lesson Ideas

2.2.3 - The Modal "Can"

Ben wants to fly like the birds, but realizes it is impossible. He and Moby discuss people's interest in flying. They talk about Leonardo da Vinci's plans and thoughts, and the Wright Brothers' first successful flights. Maybe they will be able to build an airplane one day!

Grammar Skills:
Can: Past Simple
Can: Future
Ordinal Numbers

Lesson Ideas

2.2.4 - The Modal "Have to"

Ben and Moby are learning about William Shakespeare. Everyone in class has to present a short part of one of the plays. Ben had to work hard to learn his part. Moby already knows his part! It’s very scary.

Grammar Skills:
Have to

Lesson Ideas

2.2.5 - Review: Future and Modals

Ben's Uncle Joe has a farm and a restaurant. He grows everything he cooks on his farm. Ben, Moby and friends visit Uncle Joe's restaurant. The waiter shows them to their table and just as they choose their food, Uncle Joe whispers something in Ben's ear. As the students follow Ben and Moby on their visit to the restaurant, they review the grammar points in the unit.

Grammar Skills:
Future Tense (Review)
Modals (Review)

Lesson Ideas

Level 2 Unit 3

2.3.1 - Present Prog. (Future Intent)

Ben and his team are running in the marathon next week. While Ben is busy practicing, Moby and the ESL students learn what a marathon is. When Ben unexpectedly fails to finish the city marathon, he realizes that he will have to practice really hard for next year's marathon. But next year he won't be alone.

Grammar Skills:
Present Progressive (Future Intent)

Lesson Ideas

2.3.2 - Must / Mustn't

Ben and Moby must practice for the dance on Saturday night. As Ben and Moby practice the steps, Moby learns what he must and mustn't do at the dance. Meanwhile, the students are also exposed to some polite expressions.

Grammar Skills:
Must / Mustn't
Polite Expressions and Requests

Lesson Ideas

2.3.3 - Adverbs

Cousin Larry, who's living in England, sends Ben a letter to say he's sorry that he won't be at grandmother's birthday party on 9/3. Ben and Moby look at the date and realize they have to organize the birthday party very quickly. When everything is ready, they learn they didn't have to work so quickly. Thanks to grandma's birthday and Ben's mistake, our ESL students learn about adverbs, the months and the English calendar.

Grammar Skills:
Adverbs that describe verbs
Adverbs that describe whole statements
Months of the year
Dates

Lesson Ideas

2.3.4 - More Adverbs

Ben decided to build a tree house, but it isn’t going well. Moby comes to help! They have to plan and measure carefully. Together they build a great tree house. This is the second lesson on adverbs. It focuses on adverbs that modify adjectives and other adverbs. It also introduces the adverb well.

Grammar Skills:
Adverbs that describe adjectives
Adverbs that describe other adverbs

Lesson Ideas

2.3.5 - Review: Adverbs / Present Progressive (Future Intent)

Ben is spending this year's 4th of July with his grandmother who lives in an old age home. The old age home is having a party, and Ben and Moby are going to help! While Ben and Moby are preparing for the party, we review the different topics presented in the unit, and learn a bit about American history and customs.

Grammar Skills:
Adverb (Review)
Present Progressive (Future Intent) (Review)
Must / Mustn't (Review)
Polite Expressions and Requests (Review)

Lesson Ideas

Level 2 Unit 4

2.4.1 - Past Prog.: Interrupted Action

Ben had a very strange experience. While he was putting on his clothes to go out, the weather kept changing. One minute the sun was shining, so Ben was going to go outside in his shorts. The next minute it was snowing, so he had to put on his coat and scarf. As the students learn why the weather kept changing, they are also introduced to the past progressive. This lesson focuses on the Past Progressive when it comes on its own or with another action that interrupts it.

Grammar Skills:
Past Progressive
Past Progressive (Interrupted Action)

Lesson Ideas

2.4.2 - Past Prog.: Parallel Actions

Nikki has a new pet, a cat she named Lucky. Unfortunately, while Nikki was doing her homework last night, the cat ran away. Nikki's very sad, so her friends, Ben, Moby, Fighter and Ed, decide to help her look for the cat. They search everywhere. Where could she be? While the students accompany the friends on their search, they learn how to use the Past Progressive with actions that take place simultaneously.

Grammar Skills:
Past Progressive (Parallel Actions)

Lesson Ideas

2.4.3 - May/Might, (Be) Supposed to

Something is wrong with Fighter. He doesn't want to go for a walk, play, or eat. Ben and Moby are worried, and they decide to use the scientific method to find out what might be bothering Fighter. They make their hypothesis and conduct different experiments. As the students accompany Ben and Moby, they are exposed to the scientific method and learn the modals may, might, and (be) supposed to.

Grammar Skills:
May and Might
Supposed to
Scientific Method

Lesson Ideas

2.4.4 - Should/Ought to/Had better

Ben doesn't feel well and Moby gives him some good advice about what he should do to get better. Things change when Ben realizes he has a fever. Now Ben ought to go to the doctor and follow her advice. As we accompany Ben to the doctor, the students learn the modals should, ought to and had better.

Grammar Skills:
Should
Ought to
Had better

Lesson Ideas

2.4.5 - Review: Past Progressive and Modals

Ed needs somebody to babysit for his little sister, Abby. He calls Ben and Moby to see if they might be able to help. Ben isn’t sure that’s a good idea. He remembers what happened last time he and Moby babysat for Abby. As the students learn what happened, they review the grammar points presented in the unit.

Grammar Skills:
Past Progressive (Review)
Past Progressive (Interrupted Action) (Review)
Past Progressive (Parallel Actions) (Review)
May and Might (Review)
Supposed to (Review)
Should (Review)
Ought to (Review)
Had better (Review)

Lesson Ideas

Level 2 Unit 5

2.5.1 - Comparatives

Ben and Moby go out shopping for lunch. Walking along the aisles at the supermarket makes both friends very hungry, but they're anxious to choose food items that will be both tastier and cheaper than others. As the students follow Ben and Moby at the supermarket, they learn how to use the comparative form of adjectives and adverbs.

Grammar Skills:
Comparative Adjectives
Comparative Adverbs

Lesson Ideas

2.5.2 - Superlatives

As Ben, Moby, Nikki, and Ed look through a book of world records, they come across the strangest records. They learn about the heaviest lemon, the longest snake, and the fastest woman athlete. This inspires Moby to look for a record he can set, too. As our students follow Ben and his friends, they learn the superlative form of adjectives and adverbs.

Grammar Skills:
Superlative Adjectives
Superlative Adverbs

Lesson Ideas

2.5.3 - Adjectives ending in -ed/-ing

Ben and Moby are out in the woods on a beautiful day in autumn. Ben is amazed by the beauty of the nature around him, but Moby thinks that taking a walk in the woods is very boring. Ben does his best to show Moby how exciting nature can be, but Moby isn't persuaded until something really frightening happens. In this lesson, the students learn the difference between adjectives that end in –ing and –ed.

Grammar Skills:
Adjectives that end in –ed and -ing

Lesson Ideas

2.5.4 - Word Order

Ben and Moby are going on a vacation. They are going to the beach for a whole week. Ben thinks they should catch the early bus, so they decide to meet at the bus station in the morning. While the friends are busy packing and planning their vacation, the students learn about word order and different prepositions of time.

Grammar Skills:
Word Order
Prepositions of Time

Lesson Ideas

2.5.5 - Review: Comparatives and Superlatives

Moby is helping Ben pick pictures for the yearbook. As they look through the photos, they remember funny, memorable, and silly situations.They look at the different categories in the yearbook and wonder who they should vote for this year. Moby is frustrated until he finds a suitable category for himself, too. This is a flashback lesson in which students practice and use the language points they learned throughout this unit.

Grammar Skills:
Comparative Adjectives
Comparative Adverbs
Superlative Adjectives
Superlative Adverbs
Adjectives that end in –ed and -ing
Word Order
Prepositions of Time

Lesson Ideas

Level 2 Unit 6

2.6.1 - Review of the Present Tense

Ben and Moby went on a shopping trip and are taking the bus home. On the way to the bus stop, Moby gets distracted. As the two friends navigate the crowded bus, students review the present tense.

Grammar Skills:
Review of the Present Tense (Present Simple, Present Progressive and Stative Verbs)

Lesson Ideas

2.6.2 - Review of the Past Tense

Ben and Moby prepared a science project for their class about the life cycle of a butterfly. As they present their work to their classmates, the students learn about the butterfly life cycle while reviewing the past tense.

Grammar Skills:
Review of the Past Tense (Past Progressive and Past Simple)

Lesson Ideas

2.6.3 - Review the Future Tense

Ben and Moby are going to see a movie, but they can’t decide which one to see. After checking out the movie posters, they finally agree on one they think they will both enjoy. In this lesson, the students review the different ways to express the future in English.

Grammar Skills:
Review the Future Tense (Will, Going & Present Progressive)

Lesson Ideas

2.6.4 - Review of the Modals

Ben and Moby are packing their lunches for a picnic. Moby reminds Ben about recycling, using eco-friendly products, and being “green.” While the students learn along with Ben, they review the use of modal auxiliary verbs, as well.

Grammar Skills:
Review of the Modals

Lesson Ideas

2.6.5 - Review of the Tenses: Present, Past, Future, and Modal Verbs

Ben is about to read Goldilocks and the Three Bears to Abby when Moby suggests they read his version of the fairytale. As students listen along with Abby, they review the tenses and modal verbs.

Grammar Skills:
Review of the Tenses: Present, Past, Future, and Modal Verbs

Lesson Ideas

Level Unit

2.6.5 - Review: Tenses / Modals

Ben is about to read Goldilocks and the Three Bears to Abby when Moby suggests they read his version of the fairytale. As students listen along with Abby, they review the tenses and modal verbs.

Grammar Skills:

Lesson Ideas

Level 3 Unit 1

3.1.1 - Passive: Present Simple

Ben and Moby discuss the problem of endangered species and what is done to help save them. As students learn about the animals, they also learn to identify and practice the passive voice in the present simple.

Grammar Skills:
Passive: Present Simple

Lesson Ideas

3.1.2 - Passive: Past Simple

Ben decides to join a long line of famous inventors. He and Moby discuss some inventions and the problems that were solved as a result. As Ben and Moby discover that being an inventor isn't easy, our students learn the passive in the past simple.

Grammar Skills:
Passive: Past Simple

Lesson Ideas

3.1.3 - Passive: Future and Modals

Ben and Moby create a comic book about life in the future. In it they describe everything from how vacations might be spent, to the ways music will be played. While the two friends explore these ideas, students are introduced to the Passive Voice in the Future and with different Modals.

Grammar Skills:
Passive: Future and Modals

Lesson Ideas

3.1.4 - Passive: Progressives

Ben and Moby are visiting Uncle Joe’s farm. While they help Uncle Joe with farm chores, our students learn about the Passive Voice in the Present and Past Progressive.

Grammar Skills:
Passive: Progressive Tenses

Lesson Ideas

3.1.5 - Review: Passive

Ben and Moby are deciding which music to download to Ben’s new music player. As they listen to different types of music, our students review the Passive Voice in Present and Past Simple, Present and Past Progressive, Future Tenses and Modals.

Grammar Skills:
Passive (Review)

Lesson Ideas

Level 3 Unit 2

3.2.1 - Conjunctions

While visiting a carnival, a fortune teller uses a crystal ball to tell Ben about his future. While Ben’s future achievements are impressive, Moby’s are even more so. Who is this mysterious fortune teller? Students connect the dots to find out, while also learning about connecting words, or conjunctions.In the lesson plan, students will learn and use new vocabulary in multiple contexts. They will demonstrate an understanding of the different types of conjunctions, and listen for the correct conjunctions in a cloze activity while watching the movie.

Grammar Skills:
Conjunctions

Lesson Ideas

3.2.2 - Negative Prefixes

Where is Moby? The clever robot hides by blending into Ben’s bedroom. Upon revealing himself, the two friends explore camouflage—what it is and why being invisible helps both predators and prey survive. What unusual animal changes color with its mood? Students find out and discover negative prefixes, too.In the lesson plan, students will explore, share, compare, and summarize the new content-specific vocabulary about camouflage in a word map activity. Students will also identify the negative prefixes used in the movie.

Grammar Skills:
Negative Prefixes

Lesson Ideas

3.2.3 - Prefixes

Summer has gone by quickly and Ben and Moby return to school tomorrow. From multi-colored notebooks to prewashed jeans, Ben has gone overboard with his back-to-school shopping! Students review Ben’s purchases and prefixes, too.In the lesson plan, students will sort new vocabulary words into categories in an open word sort. Students will also identify the prefixes in the movie and classify them on a chart, and explain a word with a prefix in a creative presentation.

Grammar Skills:
Prefixes II

Lesson Ideas

3.2.4 - Suffixes

Ben is suffering from a painful tooth. Is it a cavity? He is fearful that it might be. Luckily Moby comes with Ben to the dentist to offer his support. Students discover that a visit to the dentist can be painless as is learning about suffixes! In the lesson plan, students will participate in a Story Impression activity which integrates new vocabulary words. Students will then identify the suffixes in the movie and classify them on a chart, and predict what they think will happen in the movie based on their own background knowledge.

Grammar Skills:
Suffixes

Lesson Ideas

Level Unit

Level 3 Unit 2

3.2.5 - Review: Affixes and Conjunctions

It’s stormy out and Moby is unhappy. But Ben convinces him that there are endless ways to have fun indoors, too. The friends decide to play a charades game that is both fun and educational. As students play alongside Ben and Moby, they review the unit’s grammatical points.In this lesson plan, students will sort new vocabulary words according to parts of speech in a closed word sort. They will also identify the affixes (prefixes and suffixes) and conjunctions in the movie. Finally, students will write and present a dialogue using the theme of the movie, Fun and Games.

Grammar Skills:
Prefixes (Review)
Suffixes (Review)
Negative Prefixes (Review)
Conjunctions (Review)

Lesson Ideas

Level Unit

Level 3 Unit 3

3.3.1 - Present Perfect

It’s Ben’s birthday, but Moby has forgotten! At least that’s what Ben thinks. What does Moby have up his sleeve? Students find out while learning about present perfect simple.

Grammar Skills:
Present Perfect Simple

Lesson Ideas

3.3.2 - Past Simple/Present Perfect

Panting and puffing, Moby follows Ben up a mountain. Ben points out that it’s no Mount Everest. But, as Ben shares his knowledge of the tallest mountain in the world, students practice the present perfect and past simple.

Grammar Skills:
Present Perfect and Past Simple

Lesson Ideas

3.3.3 - Present Perfect Progressive

Someone has been playing tricks on Ben and his friends, but who is it? Magnifying glass in hand, Ben plays the part of the detective. Will he crack the mystery? Students find out as they solve the mystery of present perfect progressive.

Grammar Skills:
Perfect Progressive

Lesson Ideas

3.3.4 - Past Perfect

Ben’s day has gone from bad to worse! It all began when he had overslept. As Moby listens to Ben recap one mishap after another, students listen for the past perfect tense.

Grammar Skills:
Past Perfect Simple

Lesson Ideas

3.3.5 - Review: Perfect Tenses

Moby plans to sell a toy train at Ben’s garage sale. But when Ben expresses interest in it, Moby offers it to him for free. As Ben gives a brief history of trains, students review the present and past perfect.

Grammar Skills:
Perfect Tenses (Review)

Lesson Ideas

Level 3 Unit 4

3.4.1 - Gerunds

“Keep pedaling!” encourages Ben as Moby grunts and groans his way up a big hill. At the top, Moby wonders “What’s the point?” As Ben reminds him of the benefits of exercise and how our heart works, students listen for gerunds. It’s not until they zoom downhill that Moby truly understands why he went through all that hard work.

Grammar Skills:
Gerunds

Lesson Ideas

3.4.2 - Prepositions and Gerunds

Ben and Moby are rowing merrily along when out of the pond jumps a cute, little fish. Moby wants to keep it as a pet, but Ben explains that taking an animal out of its natural habitat can lead to problems. As Moby learns about the pond and food chains, students listen for prepositions and gerunds.

Grammar Skills:
Prepositions + Gerunds

Lesson Ideas

3.4.3 - Infinitives

What’s the probability that Moby will get one of the very few orange gumballs in the gumball machine? Ben calculates and discovers it’s not very likely. Moby’s only hope is that some of the green gumballs disappear. Will that happen? Watch to find out and practice infinitives along the way.

Grammar Skills:
Infinitives

Lesson Ideas

3.4.4 - Gerunds and Infinitives

Moby forgot to prepare an act for the talent show, and it’s almost his turn on stage! What will he do? Tune in to find out, and to review gerunds and infinitives.

Grammar Skills:
Gerunds and Infinitives

Lesson Ideas

3.4.5 - Review: Gerunds, Infinitives

Everyone likes the idea of baking a cake, but no one wants to help. No one helps Ben shop. No one helps Ben bake. And, no one helps Ben clean up. But when it comes to eating the cake, suddenly everyone wants to help!

Grammar Skills:
Gerunds, Infinitives (Review)

Lesson Ideas

Level 3 Unit 5

3.5.1 - First Conditional and Time Clauses

Ben is trying to paint Moby’s portrait, but Moby won’t stay still! If he can just get Moby to focus on something, then maybe he has a chance. Listen for first conditional and time clauses as Ben shares his knowledge of art history with Moby. This does the trick! The big question is… what style is Ben painting Moby? Watch to find out.

Grammar Skills:
First Conditional and Time Clauses

Lesson Ideas

3.5.2 - Second Conditional

Tired of shoveling snow, Ben and Moby imagine living on a tropical island with its warm, gentle breezes and nothing to do but relax all day, drinking out of coconuts and swimming in the sea. If only it weren’t a dream! As you soak up the tropical sun with Ben and Moby, listen for second conditionals.

Grammar Skills:
Second Conditional

Lesson Ideas

3.5.3 - Third Conditional

As they explore an ancient Egypt museum exhibit, Ben and Moby imagine what life was like at the time of pyramids, pharaohs, and mummies. Watch to find out why mummies and Moby don’t mix. And, practice the third conditional along the way.

Grammar Skills:
Third Conditional

Lesson Ideas

3.5.4 - Wish and Hope

Which toy plane will Ben and Moby enter in the contest? They experiment with each but in the end, Moby comes up with a creative solution. Zoom in on this movie and practice the different forms and meanings of wish and hope.

Grammar Skills:
Wish and Hope

Lesson Ideas

3.5.5 - Review: Conditionals

Fighter the dog digs up a magic lantern. Will Ben and Moby get three wishes and if so, will they use their wishes wisely? Tune in to find out and to brush up on the conditional tenses.

Grammar Skills:
Review: Conditionals, Wish and Hope

Lesson Ideas

Level 3 Unit 6

3.6.1 - Relative Pronouns and Used To

Lights! Camera! Action! Ben and Moby are filming a movie about their school for new students. The two are having so much fun reminiscing about their school days, that they don’t realize the mistake they’ve made. What is it? Watch to find out, and be sure to listen for relative pronouns and the phrase “used to.”

Grammar Skills:
Relative Pronouns
Used To

Lesson Ideas

3.6.2 - Reported Speech Statements

Ben’s retelling of the classic fairytale as a puppet show has some funny twists and a surprise ending provided by Moby. Enjoy the show as you listen carefully for reported speech.

Grammar Skills:
Reported Speech: Statements

Lesson Ideas

3.6.3 - Reported Speech Questions

A true friend, Ben comes over to help Nikki who is suffering from a whopper of a cold. At first she is grateful for his efforts, but soon her demands spin out of control, leaving Ben feeling exhausted and unappreciated… until the very end. Take note of the questions and demands written by Nikki and reported by Ben.

Grammar Skills:
Reported Speech: Questions
Reported Speech: Commands

Lesson Ideas

3.6.4 - Idioms

From shaking his robot leg to zipping his robot lips, Moby takes Ben’s words a little too literally! This hilarious movie featuring idioms is sure to crack you up… well, not literally!

Grammar Skills:
Idioms

Lesson Ideas

3.6.5 - Review: Unit 6

Glow-in-the-dark wallpaper is just what the old tree house needs to make it a fun place to hang out again. But it’s trickier than it sounds. Ben and Moby will need to use their geometry smarts to calculate out how much wall paper they’ll need to make the tree house glow.

Grammar Skills:
Review: Relative Pronouns
Review: Used to
Review: Reported Speech
Review: Idioms

Lesson Ideas