Introduce your lesson by connecting to a previous lesson. Teach gerunds and infinitives only after you have covered verbs and phrases. Grab your students' attention by first doing a warm-up activity that consists of identifying verbs. For example, using a sample text like an except of The Raven or The Black Cat, put students in groups of three or four, and have the groups identify all the verbs. Have the groups compete against one another, and give the winning group a small prize like a homework pass.
Explain that a gerund is a special verb that performs a unique task by functioning as a noun in a sentence. Tell your students that gerunds will end in -ing, and reiterate that in order to be considered a gerund, the verb must function as a noun. Model for the students how to write sentences that include gerunds using a projector such as an Eiki and computer or using a visual presenter like an Elmo.
Explain that infinitives are verb phrases that begin with the word "to" and are followed by an action verb, such as "to swim," "to check" or "to dig." Model for the students how to write sentences that include infinitive phrases. Use the Eiki and projector, so that students can see the sentences as you create them. Highlight the infinitive phrase in your sentences.
Ask the students to give you a list of verbs to be used in the sentences you create together. Make a short list of about five verbs. Using those verbs, write sentences that include gerunds, and have the students take notes. For example your verb list could include "sleep" and "swim." Your sentence construction examples could be something like
Sleeping is the best way to rest your mind and body.
Swimming is a sport that requires endurance and stamina.
Using those same verbs, construct sentences that include infinitives. Stress the difference between gerunds and infinitives.
Assign independent practice. To make sure that students understand and recognize gerunds and infinitives, ask students to write a short narrative of no more than a page and a half in length on, for example, the last movie they saw at the theater. Instruct students to include at least ten sentences that incorporate gerunds and at least five sentences that include infinitive phrases. Have students highlight each sentence that contains a gerund. Ask students to highlight the infinitive phrases in another color.