Expressing Possibility and Permission: Modal Verbs ‘Can’, ‘Could’, ‘May’, and ‘Might’ English Grammar Primary 4 First Term Lesson Notes Week 5

English Language Primary 4 First Term Lesson Notes Week 5

Subject: English Language
Class: Primary 4
Term: First Term
Week: 5
Age: 9 years

Topic: Expressing Possibility and Permission: ‘Can’, ‘Could’, ‘May’, ‘Might’
Sub-topic: Understanding and Using Modal Verbs for Possibility and Permission
Duration: 1 hour

Behavioural Objectives:

• Students will be able to use ‘can’, ‘could’, ‘may’, and ‘might’ to express possibility and permission.
• Students will identify and apply these modal verbs in sentences and conversations.
• Students will understand the different levels of certainty and formality these modal verbs convey.

Keywords: Can, Could, May, Might, Possibility, Permission

Set Induction:

• Begin with a discussion about common situations where we ask for permission or talk about what might happen. Ask students for examples from their own lives.

Entry Behaviour:

• Students should be familiar with basic modal verbs and their uses from previous lessons.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Textbooks: Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Flashcards with examples of ‘can’, ‘could’, ‘may’, and ‘might’
• Worksheets for practice
• Whiteboard and markers

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

• Review previous lessons on modal verbs for obligation and how they express necessity. Connect these to how ‘can’, ‘could’, ‘may’, and ‘might’ express possibility and permission.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Critical thinking: Differentiating between certainty and possibility.
• Writing skills: Constructing sentences using modal verbs for permission and possibility.
• Communication skills: Using these modal verbs appropriately in conversations.

Learning Materials:

• Textbook examples
• Practice worksheets
• Visual aids such as flashcards and charts

Reference Books:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Primary 4 English Language Textbooks

Instructional Materials:

• Worksheets with exercises
• Interactive whiteboard or projector

Content:

Explanation of the Topic:

1. Define Possibility and Permission and Modal Verbs:
   • Possibility: Refers to something that might happen or is not certain.
   • Permission: Refers to asking for or granting consent.
   • Modal Verbs for Possibility and Permission:
     • Can: Used for ability or informal permission (e.g., “I can swim” or “Can I go to the bathroom?”)
     • Could: Used for past ability or polite requests (e.g., “I could swim when I was younger” or “Could I use your phone?”)
     • May: Used for formal permission or possibility (e.g., “May I leave early?” or “It may rain later.”)
     • Might: Used for less certain possibilities (e.g., “It might snow tomorrow.”)
2. Provide Examples and Non-Examples:
   • Example (Can): “She can play the piano.”
   • Non-example: “She might play the piano.” (Incorrect use of ‘might’ for ability)
   • Example (Could): “Could I borrow your pencil, please?”
   • Non-example: “Can I borrow your pencil, please?” (Less polite than ‘could’)
   • Example (May): “May I have some water?”
   • Non-example: “Can I have some water?” (Less formal than ‘may’)
   • Example (Might): “We might go to the park if it stops raining.”
   • Non-example: “We can go to the park if it stops raining.” (Incorrect use of ‘can’ for uncertainty)
3. Illustrate with Visual Aids: Use charts to show the different uses of ‘can’, ‘could’, ‘may’, and ‘might’ for permission and possibility.
4. Explain Rules or Structure:
   • Can: Used for abilities and informal permission (e.g., “I can read” or “Can I come in?”)
   • Could: Used for past abilities or polite requests (e.g., “I could read when I was five” or “Could you help me?”)
   • May: Used for formal permission or to express possibility (e.g., “May I use the computer?” or “It may be cloudy.”)
   • Might: Used for less certain possibilities (e.g., “It might be windy later.”)
5. Offer Practice Sentences: Create sentences using ‘can’, ‘could’, ‘may’, and ‘might’ for practice.

Examples:

1. “I ___ go to the party if I finish my homework.” (might)
2. “___ I leave the table now?” (May)
3. “She ___ play the guitar very well.” (can)
4. “We ___ need a coat if it gets cold.” (might)
5. “___ I have some ice cream?” (Can)

Evaluation:

1. “You ___ play outside after school if you finish your homework.” a) can b) could c) may d) might
2. “I ___ see the movie yesterday.” a) can b) might c) could d) may
3. “___ I use your computer to check my email?” a) Could b) Might c) Can d) May
4. “The weather ___ improve by the afternoon.” a) can b) might c) may d) could
5. “You ___ not leave the class before the bell rings.” a) can b) may c) might d) could
6. “She ___ be at the library right now.” a) might b) can c) must d) could
7. “___ I go to the restroom?” a) Can b) May c) Might d) Should
8. “We ___ go on a trip next weekend, but I am not sure.” a) may b) might c) can d) must
9. “He ___ play soccer very well.” a) may b) might c) can d) should
10. “___ you help me with this math problem?” a) Can b) Might c) May d) Could
11. “The store ___ close early today.” a) might b) must c) can d) should
12. “I ___ eat the last piece of cake if you don’t want it.” a) might b) could c) can d) may
13. “___ you please pass the salt?” a) Can b) Might c) May d) Could
14. “She ___ be late if she misses the bus.” a) might b) can c) should d) may
15. “I ___ finish the book by tomorrow if I read all night.” a) can b) might c) may d) should

Class Activity Discussion:

1. How do you use ‘can’ to ask for permission? (Answer: “Can I go outside?”)
2. What is the difference between ‘may’ and ‘might’? (Answer: ‘May’ is more formal and certain; ‘might’ is less certain.)
3. How can ‘could’ be used to make a polite request? (Answer: “Could you help me with this?”)
4. Give an example of a sentence using ‘might’ for a possibility. (Answer: “It might rain tomorrow.”)
5. Why do we use ‘may’ in formal situations? (Answer: It is more polite and respectful.)
6. Create a sentence using ‘can’ for ability. (Answer: “I can ride a bicycle.”)
7. How does ‘could’ differ from ‘can’ in terms of past ability? (Answer: ‘Could’ refers to past abilities, while ‘can’ refers to present abilities.)
8. Write a sentence with ‘might’ for a less certain event. (Answer: “We might visit the museum this weekend.”)
9. What is the appropriate modal verb for a formal request? (Answer: ‘May’)
10. How do you express an uncertain possibility using these modal verbs? (Answer: Use ‘might’ or ‘may’.)

Presentation:

• Step 1: The teacher revises the previous topic, which was “Expressing Obligations: ‘Must’, ‘Have To’, ‘Ought To’.”
• Step 2: The teacher introduces the new topic: “Today, we will focus on expressing possibility and permission using ‘can’, ‘could’, ‘may’, and ‘might’. We will learn when and how to use these modal verbs to describe what could happen and to ask for permission.”
• Step 3: The teacher allows the pupils to create and share their own sentences using ‘can’, ‘could’, ‘may’, and ‘might’, providing feedback and corrections as needed.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Explain the topic with relevant examples and real-life scenarios.
• Conduct group activities and practice exercises.
• Provide feedback and correct misunderstandings.

Learners’ Activities:

• Participate in group discussions and create sentences.
• Share examples of possibility and permission using the modal verbs.
• Complete practice exercises and worksheets.

Assessment:

• Observe student participation in activities.
• Review and assess completed worksheets.
• Provide feedback on the correct usage of modal verbs.

Evaluation Questions:

1. How do you use ‘can’ to ask for permission?
2. What is the difference between ‘may’ and ‘might’ in terms of certainty?
3. Create a sentence using ‘could’ to make a polite request.
4. How can ‘might’ be used to describe a less certain possibility?
5. Give an example of a formal request using ‘may’.
6. Write a sentence with ‘can’ for ability.
7. What is the past form of ‘can’ and how is it used?
8. How does ‘might’ differ from ‘may’ in terms of certainty?
9. Why do we use ‘could’ for polite requests?
10. What modal verb would you use to describe a future possibility?

Conclusion: The teacher will go around to mark and assess the pupils’ understanding of the topic. Additional support will be provided to students who need help.

More Useful Links :

• Using ‘Should’ and ‘Would’ for Advice and Polite Requests English Grammar Primary 4 First Term Lesson Notes Week 6
• Mastering Descriptive Writing with Adjectives and Adverbs English Grammar Primary 4 First Term Lesson Notes Week 8
• Crafting Engaging Short Stories: A Guide to Narrative Writing English Grammar Primary 4 First Term Lesson Notes Week 9
• How to use could, can, should, shall etc