Practical Use of Modal Auxiliaries: A Primary 4 English Lesson English Grammar Primary 4 First Term Lesson Notes Week 3

English Language Primary 4 First Term Lesson Notes Week 3

Subject: English Language
Class: Primary 4
Term: First Term
Week: 3
Age: 9 years

Topic: Structure: Modal Auxiliaries – Further Practices in Excusing, Possibility, Obligation, Permission
Sub-topic: Practical Use of Modal Auxiliaries
Duration: 1 hour

Behavioural Objectives:

• Students will engage in simple conversations using modal auxiliaries to express excuses, possibility, obligation, and permission.
• Students will identify and use appropriate words to create dialogues.
• Students will use modal auxiliaries correctly in contextual sentences.

Keywords: Modal Auxiliaries, Excuse, Possibility, Obligation, Permission, Can, Could, May, Might, Should

Set Induction:

• Begin with a role-play scenario where a student asks for permission, makes an excuse, or discusses a possibility. Discuss how modal auxiliaries are used in these situations.

Entry Behaviour:

• Students should be familiar with basic modal auxiliaries and their functions from previous lessons.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Textbooks: Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Dialogue cards with examples
• Flashcards with modal auxiliary verbs
• Worksheets for practice
• Whiteboard and markers

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

• Link the new lesson to previous knowledge of modal auxiliaries by revisiting how they are used to express time. Introduce the new contexts of excuses, possibility, obligation, and permission.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Communication skills: Engaging in dialogues and role-playing.
• Critical thinking: Understanding the use of modal auxiliaries in different contexts.
• Writing skills: Constructing sentences using modal auxiliaries.

Learning Materials:

• Textbook examples
• Dialogue 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 dialogue prompts
• Interactive whiteboard or projector

Content:

Explanation of the Topic:

1. Define Modal Auxiliaries for Different Contexts:
   • Excuse: “Can I come in?” (Requesting permission)
   • Possibility: “Might we go to the park?” (Indicating possibility)
   • Obligation: “Should I finish my homework?” (Showing obligation)
   • Permission: “May I use your book?” (Asking for permission)
2. Provide Examples and Non-Examples:
   • Example (Excuse): “I’m sorry I’m late. Can I join the meeting now?”
   • Non-example: “I join the meeting.” (Missing modal auxiliary)
   • Example (Possibility): “We might visit the zoo this weekend.”
   • Non-example: “We visit the zoo.” (Lacks modal auxiliary to express possibility)
3. Illustrate with Visual Aids: Use charts to show different modal auxiliaries and their functions.
4. Explain Rules or Structure:
   • Can: For permission or ability (e.g., “Can I go outside?”)
   • Could: For polite requests or past ability (e.g., “Could you help me?”)
   • May: For formal permission (e.g., “May I leave early?”)
   • Might: For possibility (e.g., “It might rain today.”)
   • Should: For obligation or advice (e.g., “You should study for the test.”)
5. Offer Practice Sentences: Create sentences using the modal auxiliaries for practice.

Examples:

1. “___ I come to the party?” (Can/May)
2. “I ___ go to the store if it stops raining.” (Might)
3. “You ___ finish your homework before playing.” (Should)
4. “He ___ be at home, but I’m not sure.” (Might)
5. “___ I borrow your pen?” (Can/May)

Evaluation:

1. “I ___ go to the park if it’s sunny.” a) can b) might c) should d) may
2. “___ I use your phone to call my mom?” a) Can b) Should c) Might d) Could
3. “You ___ eat more vegetables for a healthy diet.” a) might b) could c) should d) can
4. “We ___ visit Grandma this weekend.” a) should b) might c) could d) can
5. “___ you help me with this problem?” a) May b) Can c) Might d) Should
6. “I ___ not be able to come to the party.” a) might b) can c) should d) may
7. “You ___ always tell the truth.” a) should b) can c) might d) may
8. “___ we go to the cinema tonight?” a) Can b) Might c) Should d) May
9. “He ___ arrive late because of the traffic.” a) can b) might c) should d) could
10. “___ you give me a ride to school?” a) May b) Can c) Might d) Should
11. “You ___ wear a uniform to school.” a) might b) could c) should d) can
12. “She ___ need help with her homework.” a) should b) might c) can d) may
13. “___ I bring my friend to the party?” a) May b) Might c) Should d) Can
14. “They ___ finish their project on time.” a) might b) should c) could d) can
15. “I ___ help you if I’m free.” a) might b) should c) can d) may

Class Activity Discussion:

1. What is the purpose of using modal auxiliaries in conversations? (Answer: They help express excuses, possibility, obligation, and permission.)
2. How do you use “might” to show possibility? (Answer: “Might” is used to suggest that something is possible, e.g., “It might rain later.”)
3. Give an example of a sentence using “should” for obligation. (Answer: “You should brush your teeth before bed.”)
4. Why do we use “can” for permission? (Answer: “Can” is used to ask for or give permission, e.g., “Can I leave early?”)
5. What is the difference between “may” and “might”? (Answer: “May” is used for formal permission, while “might” is used to indicate a possibility.)
6. How can you create a sentence using “could” for a polite request? (Answer: “Could you please pass the salt?”)
7. What are some common phrases that use modal auxiliaries for excuses? (Answer: “I’m sorry I’m late. Can I join now?”)
8. How does using modal auxiliaries improve your ability to communicate? (Answer: They help clarify your intentions and express different levels of politeness and possibility.)
9. What are some mistakes people make with modal auxiliaries? (Answer: Using incorrect modals or mixing them up, e.g., “Can I go to the store tomorrow?”)
10. How can you practice using modal auxiliaries at home? (Answer: Write dialogues or have conversations using different modal auxiliaries.)

Presentation:

• Step 1: The teacher revises the previous topic, which was “Modal Auxiliaries: Basic Understanding and Usage.”
• Step 2: The teacher introduces the new topic: “Today, we will practice using modal auxiliaries in different contexts like making excuses, expressing possibility, showing obligation, and asking for permission.”
• Step 3: The teacher allows the pupils to give their own contributions and corrects them when necessary.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Explain the topic with relevant examples.
• Guide students through group and pair activities.
• Provide feedback and correct errors in usage.

Learners’ Activities:

• Create and practice dialogues in groups.
• Share sentences and describe modal auxiliaries used.
• Participate in discussions and role-plays.

Assessment:

• Observe participation in group and pair activities.
• Review worksheets and sentence construction.
• Provide feedback on the correct use of modal auxiliaries.

Evaluation Questions:

1. How do you use “can” for permission in a sentence?
2. What does “might” express in a sentence?
3. Give an example of “should” used to show obligation.
4. How is “may” different from “might”?
5. Create a sentence using “could” to make a polite request.
6. How can you use “might” in a sentence to show possibility?
7. What is the purpose of “should” in advice?
8. Write a sentence using “can” for asking permission.
9. How do you use “may” to ask for permission?
10. Write a sentence using “could” to express a past ability.

Conclusion:

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

More Useful Links :

• Understanding Obligations: Using ‘Must’, ‘Have To’, and ‘Ought To’ English Grammar Primary 4 First Term Lesson Notes Week 4
• Expressing Possibility and Permission: Modal Verbs ‘Can’, ‘Could’, ‘May’, and ‘Might’ English Grammar Primary 4 First Term Lesson Notes Week 5
• Using ‘Should’ and ‘Would’ for Advice and Polite Requests English Grammar Primary 4 First Term Lesson Notes Week 6