Understanding Modal Auxiliaries: An English Lesson for Primary 4 English Lesson English Grammar Primary 4 First Term Lesson Notes Week 2

English Language Primary 4 First Term Lesson Notes Week 2

Subject: English Language
Class: Primary 4
Term: First Term
Week: 2
Age: 9 years

Topic: Structure: The Tenses (Modal Auxiliaries)
Sub-topic: Modal Auxiliaries for Expressing Time
Duration: 1 hour

Behavioural Objectives:

• Students will be able to identify and use modal auxiliaries that express time.
• Students will demonstrate understanding through sentence construction and group discussion.
• Students will apply modal auxiliaries in both writing and speaking.

Keywords: Modal Auxiliaries, Tenses, Will, Would, Shall, Can, Could

Set Induction:

• Start with a short story about a character making plans for the future. Discuss how different words are used to express future actions.

Entry Behaviour:

• Students should know basic verbs and their uses in sentences.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Textbooks: Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Charts showing modal auxiliaries
• Flashcards with examples
• Worksheets with exercises
• Whiteboard and markers

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

• Connect to previously learned concepts, such as simple present and past tenses, by discussing how modal auxiliaries add nuance to time expression.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Critical thinking: Understanding the function of modal auxiliaries.
• Writing skills: Creating accurate sentences.
• Speaking and listening skills: Using modal auxiliaries in conversations.

Learning Materials:

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

Reference Books:

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

Instructional Materials:

• Worksheets with exercises
• Interactive whiteboard or projector

Content:

Explanation of the Topic:

1. Define Modal Auxiliaries: Modal auxiliaries are helper verbs used to express time, mood, or possibility.
2. Provide Examples and Non-Examples:
   • Example: “She will travel next week.” (Expressing future action with “will”)
   • Non-example: “She travels next week.” (Simple present tense, not using a modal)
3. Illustrate with Visual Aids: Use charts to show how modal auxiliaries like “will,” “would,” “shall,” “can,” and “could” are used.
4. Explain Rules or Structure:
   • “Will” for future actions: “I will go to school tomorrow.”
   • “Would” for polite requests or hypothetical situations: “I would like some water, please.”
   • “Shall” for formal or future actions: “Shall we dance?”
   • “Can” for present ability: “She can swim.”
   • “Could” for past ability or polite requests: “I could swim when I was younger.”
5. Offer Practice Sentences: Provide sentences for students to complete using the correct modal auxiliary.

Examples:

1. “I ___ finish my homework tonight.” (will)
2. “He ___ come to the party if he is free.” (would)
3. “___ we meet at the park?” (Shall)
4. “She ___ play the piano very well.” (can)
5. “They ___ help us with the project last week.” (could)

Evaluation:

1. “She ___ go to the market tomorrow.” a) can b) would c) will d) shall
2. “I ___ like a cup of tea.” a) will b) would c) can d) shall
3. “___ we start the lesson now?” a) Shall b) Can c) Would d) Will
4. “He ___ swim when he was younger.” a) could b) will c) would d) can
5. “They ___ finish the work by Friday.” a) will b) shall c) could d) would
6. “She ___ help with the homework.” a) would b) can c) shall d) could
7. “We ___ not attend the meeting if it rains.” a) will b) could c) can d) shall
8. “___ you open the window, please?” a) Can b) Would c) Will d) Shall
9. “I ___ have lunch at noon.” a) would b) can c) shall d) could
10. “He ___ go to the party last night.” a) could b) will c) would d) can
11. “She ___ dance very well.” a) will b) can c) would d) could
12. “___ we play outside?” a) Will b) Would c) Shall d) Can
13. “I ___ help you with that.” a) would b) will c) could d) can
14. “He ___ not come yesterday.” a) would b) could c) will d) can
15. “___ we go to the zoo on Saturday?” a) Will b) Shall c) Can d) Would

Class Activity Discussion:

1. What is a modal auxiliary? (Answer: A verb used with other verbs to express time, mood, or possibility.)
2. How can you use “will” in a sentence? (Answer: To indicate a future action, e.g., “I will visit my friend.”)
3. Give an example of “would” from the text. (Answer: “I would go if I could.”)
4. Why is it important to use modal auxiliaries correctly? (Answer: They help convey precise meaning and intention.)
5. How does “shall” help in writing? (Answer: It adds formality and specifies future actions.)
6. What are some common mistakes with modal auxiliaries? (Answer: Using them incorrectly, e.g., “She would goes” instead of “She would go.”)
7. How can you practice modal auxiliaries at home? (Answer: Write sentences or have conversations using different modal auxiliaries.)
8. What is the difference between “can” and “could”? (Answer: “Can” is used for present ability, while “could” is used for past ability or polite requests.)
9. Can you create a sentence using “could”? (Answer: “I could swim when I was a child.”)
10. How does using modal auxiliaries improve your speaking? (Answer: It helps you express nuances like possibility and politeness.)

Presentation:

• Step 1: The teacher revises the previous topic, which was “Reading: Teaching New Words, Meaning, and Comprehension Passage.”
• Step 2: The teacher introduces the new topic: “Today, we will learn about modal auxiliaries that help us express time in sentences.”
• Step 3: The teacher allows the pupils to give their own contributions and provides corrections as necessary.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Explain the topic with examples.
• Conduct practice exercises using modal auxiliaries.
• Provide feedback and guidance on student sentences.

Learners’ Activities:

• Participate in group discussions about modal auxiliaries.
• Complete exercises using modal auxiliaries.
• Share sentences and ideas with the class for feedback.

Assessment:

• Monitor participation in discussions and exercises.
• Review completed worksheets for accuracy.
• Provide feedback to ensure understanding of modal auxiliaries.

Evaluation Questions:

1. What does “will” express in a sentence?
2. How is “would” used to make a polite request?
3. In what context do we use “shall”?
4. Give an example sentence using “can.”
5. What is the difference between “can” and “could”?
6. Write a sentence using “will.”
7. Write a sentence using “would.”
8. Write a sentence using “shall.”
9. Write a sentence using “can.”
10. Write a sentence using “could.”

Conclusion:

• The teacher goes around to mark and assess the pupils’ understanding of the topic. Provide additional support where necessary.