How to Say Pardon Me and Ask for Forgiveness Politely for Pre-School Level 4

Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: Third Term
Week: 5
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Personal Development
Curriculum Theme: Personal Development
Previous Lesson: Not specifically stated in the scheme, but pupils would have learned about other good manners.
Topic: Simple Courtesy: Saying ‘Pardon Me’
Subject Matter: How to say pardon me and ask for forgiveness politely.

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Identify situations where “pardon me” is appropriate.
• State the meaning of “pardon me” in simple terms.

Affective Domain

• Show willingness to say “pardon me” when they make a mistake or need to interrupt.
• Appreciate the importance of being polite.

Psychomotor Domain

• Say “pardon me” clearly and politely.
• Demonstrate how to ask for forgiveness through role-play.

Social Domain

• Participate in classroom role-play activities showing polite behaviour.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4
• Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources
• Pictures showing polite children

Instructional Materials

• Charts showing polite children saying “pardon me”
• Posters illustrating scenarios where “pardon me” is used
• Picture cards depicting various social situations
• Puppets or dolls for role-play
• Video clips on good manners

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps 5-year-olds understand and practise a fundamental social courtesy: saying “pardon me.” Learning to politely ask for forgiveness or interrupt shows respect for others and helps children navigate social interactions smoothly, fostering positive relationships at home and school.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are familiar with other basic greetings and polite words like “please” and “thank you.” They also understand simple rules of behaviour in the classroom.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Simple Courtesy: Saying ‘Pardon Me’

Sometimes, we make a small mistake, or we need to get someone’s attention when they are busy. Instead of shouting or pushing, we use a polite phrase: “Pardon me.”

• When to say “Pardon Me”:
  • When you accidentally bump into someone.
  • When you accidentally step on someone’s foot.
  • When you need to pass in front of someone.
  • When you need to interrupt an adult who is talking.
  • When you didn’t hear what someone said and want them to repeat it.
• How to say “Pardon Me”:
  • Say it softly and clearly.
  • Look at the person you are talking to.
  • Use a gentle voice.

Key Words

• Pardon Me – A polite way to say “excuse me” or “forgive me” for a small mistake, or to ask someone to repeat something.
• Polite – Showing good manners and respect for others.
• Forgiveness – When someone stops being angry with you for a mistake.

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

• Display charts or posters showing children politely saying “pardon me” in different situations (e.g., bumping, interrupting).
• Draw simple stick figures showing one child accidentally bumping another, with a speech bubble saying “Pardon me.”

Pardon Me Rhyme

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”

Lyrics:
Pardon me, pardon me,
When I bump you, oh dear me.
Pardon me, pardon me,
When I need to pass, you see.
Pardon me, pardon me,
Polite words for you and me.
Pardon me, pardon me,
Happy friends, we’ll always be.

Actions:

• “Pardon me, pardon me”: Place hands together as if apologising slightly.
• “When I bump you, oh dear me”: Gently tap one hand against the other.
• “When I need to pass, you see”: Make a gentle ‘passing’ motion with hands.
• “Polite words for you and me”: Point to self and then to others.
• “Happy friends, we’ll always be”: Smile and hug self.

How to use the rhyme: Sing the rhyme together, encouraging pupils to perform the actions. Repeat it several times to help them remember the phrase and its meaning.

Watch and Practise

Let’s watch a short video about saying “Pardon Me” and other polite words. Pay attention to how the children in the video use their words.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0fT49Xw2_I

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Storytelling, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Role-play, Imitation, Repetition, Practical Activity.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Recalling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and initiates a brief discussion about good manners they already know (e.g., “please,” “thank you”). The teacher asks, “What do we say if we accidentally bump into someone?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher and recall polite words. Some may try to guess the answer to the question.

Learning Point: Pupils are reminded of the importance of good manners and are introduced to the lesson topic.

Step 2: Presentation of “Pardon Me”

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Demonstrating

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the phrase “Pardon me” and explains its meaning in simple terms, demonstrating how to say it politely. The teacher uses a chart or picture showing a child saying “Pardon me” after a small accident.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, observe the teacher’s demonstration, and look at the charts/pictures.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the meaning of “pardon me” and observe how it is said.

Step 3: Discussing Situations for “Pardon Me”

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Illustrating/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents various scenarios using picture cards or simple stories (e.g., “Aisha accidentally steps on Emeka’s foot,” “Chidi needs to pass in front of Mrs. Ade,” “The teacher is talking to Mummy and Obi needs to ask a question”). For each scenario, the teacher asks, “What should they say?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the situations and suggest saying “Pardon me.” They repeat the phrase after the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils learn when it is appropriate to use the phrase “pardon me.”

Step 4: Oral Practice and Rhyme

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcing/Singing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the class in repeating “Pardon me” several times, focusing on a polite tone. The teacher then introduces and leads the “Pardon Me Rhyme,” encouraging pupils to sing and do the actions.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils repeat the phrase, sing the rhyme, and perform the actions.

Learning Point: Pupils gain confidence in saying “pardon me” and reinforce the concept through song.

Step 5: Role-Play Practice

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Facilitating/Role-playing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher sets up simple role-play scenarios. For example, the teacher pretends to be busy, and a pupil needs to interrupt. Or two pupils pretend to bump into each other. The teacher guides pupils to use “Pardon me” correctly.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take turns role-playing the scenarios, practising saying “Pardon me” and asking for forgiveness politely.

Learning Point: Pupils practically apply the phrase “pardon me” in simulated social interactions.

Step 6: Video Reinforcement

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Visual Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the short video on saying “Pardon Me” and other polite words. After the video, the teacher asks a quick question like, “What polite word did you hear in the video?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video and respond to the teacher’s question.

Learning Point: Pupils see “pardon me” used in another context, reinforcing their understanding.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.

1. “What do we say if we accidentally step on someone’s foot?”
2. “Show me how you would politely ask to pass in front of your friend.”
3. “When else do we say ‘pardon me’?”
4. The teacher observes pupils’ participation in a final quick role-play scenario.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarising/Encouraging

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and reminds them to always use “Pardon me” when needed. The teacher encourages them to be polite and respectful in all their interactions.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the teacher and promise to practise saying “Pardon me.”

Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to apply the lesson in their daily lives.

Lesson Keywords

• Pardon Me – A polite way to say “excuse me” or “forgive me.”
• Polite – Showing good manners.
• Forgiveness – Being excused for a mistake.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils who struggle, the teacher can provide more direct modelling, use puppets for one-on-one practice, or simplify role-play scenarios to just one action (e.g., only bumping). Hand gestures can be used to prompt the phrase.
• Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the concept, the teacher can challenge them to create their own simple scenarios, explain *why* it’s important to say “pardon me,” or incorporate other polite words into their role-play.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Prepare the instructional materials (charts, picture cards, puppets) beforehand. Emphasise the gentle tone and clear pronunciation of “Pardon me.” Use positive reinforcement generously when pupils attempt to use the phrase, even if imperfectly. The goal is to build confidence and understanding, not just rote memorisation. Observe children during free play or transitions to see if they naturally start using the phrase. Encourage them to look at the person they are speaking to. The role-play should be light-hearted and fun, not intimidating.