Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, prepare simple picture cards showing situations where “Excuse Me” is needed (e.g., someone blocking a path, a child wanting to speak to a busy adult). Ensure the video link is ready to play. The central idea for pupils is to learn to say “Excuse Me” and understand that it is a kind and polite way to interact with others. Observe pupils attempting to say the phrase and mimicking polite actions during role-play.
Class: Pre-School Level 1
Term: First Term
Week: 5
Age: 2 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Social Habits
Curriculum Theme: Social Habits
Previous Lesson: Basic Greetings and Good Manners
Topic: GRACE AND COURTESY
Subject Matter: Grace and Courtesy; Learning to say “Excuse Me.”; Importance of courtesy. Weekly focus: Grace and Courtesy: Saying Excuse Me and Why Courtesy Matters.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify situations where they need to say “Excuse Me.”
- Recognise the words “Excuse Me” when said by the teacher.
Affective Domain
- Show willingness to say “Excuse Me” in appropriate situations.
- Appreciate the importance of being polite and courteous.
Psychomotor Domain
- Demonstrate how to say “Excuse Me” clearly.
- Participate in simple role-play scenarios using “Excuse Me.”
Social Domain
- Interact politely with peers and adults using “Excuse Me.”
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 1
- Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources
- Early years social habits picture books
Instructional Materials
- Video clips (on a tablet or TV)
- Charts and posters showing polite children saying “Excuse Me”
- Picture cards depicting scenarios (e.g., someone blocking a path, a child wanting attention)
- Puppets or dolls for role-play
Rationale for the Lesson
Learning to say “Excuse Me” is a fundamental social habit for 2-year-olds. It helps them navigate social interactions respectfully, communicate their needs politely, and understand that their actions affect others. This lesson lays the foundation for developing good manners and building positive relationships at home and in school.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can greet people and understand simple instructions like “please” and “thank you.”
Lesson Content/Board Summary
GRACE AND COURTESY: Saying “Excuse Me” and Why Courtesy Matters
What is “Excuse Me”?
- “Excuse Me” is a polite phrase we say when:
- We need to pass someone who is in our way.
- We accidentally bump into someone.
- We want to talk to an adult who is busy talking to someone else.
- We need to sneeze or cough.
- It shows we are thoughtful and respect others.
Why Courtesy Matters (Why it’s important to be polite):
- It makes people happy.
- It shows we are kind.
- It helps us make friends.
- It makes our school and home a nice place to be.
Key Words
- Excuse Me – A polite thing to say.
- Courtesy – Being polite and showing good manners.
- Polite – Being kind and respectful in how we act and speak.
“Excuse Me” Rhyme
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Lyrics:
Excuse me, excuse me, friend,
When I need to pass or bend.
If I bump you, soft and low,
“Excuse me” is the way to go.
Excuse me, excuse me, please,
Good manners bring us ease!
Actions:
- “Excuse me, excuse me, friend”: Wave hands gently.
- “When I need to pass or bend”: Make a passing motion with hands, then a small bow.
- “If I bump you, soft and low”: Gently tap own shoulder.
- “Excuse me” is the way to go”: Point to mouth.
- “Excuse me, excuse me, please”: Put hands together as if asking for something.
- “Good manners bring us ease!”: Smile and nod.
Watch and Practise
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Use the charts and posters to show examples of children saying “Excuse Me.” Explain each situation simply, using gestures. Emphasise that “Excuse Me” is a polite way to get attention or move past someone. Use simple, short sentences. Repeat the phrase “Excuse Me” many times.
What to show or demonstrate: Demonstrate physically how to say “Excuse Me” when you want to pass (e.g., walk around a “person” and say it), or when you gently “bump” into a puppet. Use the picture cards to illustrate different scenarios. Point to the words on the chart as you say them.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Excuse Me” rhyme. Sing it slowly and clearly, demonstrating the actions. Repeat the rhyme several times, encouraging pupils to join in with the words and actions. Praise their efforts.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to learn about “Excuse Me.” Play the video, encouraging pupils to watch and listen. After watching, ask pupils to repeat “Excuse Me” as they heard in the video and try some of the actions.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are attempting to pronounce “Excuse Me” correctly and if they are understanding the simple situations where it applies. Look for pupils who are shy and encourage them gently.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Songs and Rhymes
- Picture Talk
- Role-play
- Repetition
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Greeting
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils warmly and asks them about polite words they already know, like “please” and “thank you.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings and try to say familiar polite words.
Learning Point: Pupils recall known polite words and are ready for the lesson.
Step 2: Introducing “Excuse Me”
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows a picture card of someone blocking a path. The teacher demonstrates needing to pass and says “Excuse Me” clearly. The teacher then shows a picture of someone wanting to talk to a busy adult and demonstrates saying “Excuse Me.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher’s demonstration and listen to the phrase “Excuse Me.”
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the phrase “Excuse Me” and simple situations for its use.
Step 3: Practising “Excuse Me”
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Repetition/Oral Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher repeats “Excuse Me” several times, encouraging pupils to say it after her. The teacher uses different tones (gentle, clear) and gestures.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils try to repeat “Excuse Me” after the teacher, mimicking the tone and gestures.
Learning Point: Pupils practise pronouncing “Excuse Me” and become familiar with the sound.
Step 4: Simple Role-Play
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Role-play
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses puppets or asks a few pupils to stand in front. The teacher demonstrates a simple scenario, e.g., one puppet “blocks” another, and the other puppet says “Excuse Me.” The teacher guides pupils to imitate.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the role-play and then take turns (or as a group) to “say Excuse Me” in similar simple scenarios, guided by the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils begin to apply “Excuse Me” in practical, simulated situations.
Step 5: Why Courtesy Matters
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains in simple terms why saying “Excuse Me” and being polite is good: “It makes people happy,” “It shows you are kind,” “It helps us be friends.” The teacher shows a poster of happy, polite children.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the teacher and look at the poster, understanding that politeness is good.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the basic positive impact of courtesy.
Step 6: Rhyme and Video Reinforcement
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Audio-Visual Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in singing the “Excuse Me” rhyme with actions. Afterwards, the teacher plays the “Excuse Me” video clip, encouraging pupils to watch and sing along if they can.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with actions and watch the video, reinforcing their learning.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding through song and visual media.
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 4–5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.
- “What do you say if you want to pass someone?” (Teacher demonstrates blocking a path).
- “What do you say if you accidentally bump into your friend?” (Teacher gently bumps a puppet).
- “Can you say ‘Excuse Me’ for me?”
- “Why is it good to say ‘Excuse Me’?” (Teacher prompts with “makes people…”).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.
Step 8: Conclusion
Time: 1 minute
Teaching Skill: Summarisation/Praise
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for learning to say “Excuse Me” and reminds them to always be polite. The teacher encourages them to practise at home.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and acknowledge the teacher’s encouragement.
Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to apply what they have learned.
Lesson Keywords
- Excuse Me – A polite phrase to use when you need to pass, bump someone, or want attention.
- Courtesy – Being polite and showing good manners to others.
- Polite – Acting and speaking in a kind and respectful way.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who find it difficult, the teacher will provide more one-on-one modelling, use larger picture cards, and guide their hands to make the actions for the rhyme. Focus on just repeating “Excuse Me” clearly.
- Extension: For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, the teacher can ask them to identify another situation where “Excuse Me” might be used (e.g., when they need to sneeze) or encourage them to demonstrate the phrase to a peer.
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