Requesting objects, help or permission for Primary 1

Class: Primary 1
Term: Second Term
Week: 5
Age: 6 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: English Studies
Curriculum Theme: Listening and Speaking
Focal competence: Making polite requests
Key competencies/values: Collaboration; Respect; Communication; Responsibility; Leadership; ICT and Digital Competencies

Skills:

• Communicating politely

Previous Lesson: Concept of Print, Upper and Lower Case Letters, Book Care
Topic: Making Polite Requests
Subject Matter: Requesting objects, help or permission

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify polite request words and phrases.
• Differentiate between polite requests and impolite commands.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of using polite language in communication.
• Show respect when making requests.

Psychomotor Domain

• Use polite request words and phrases correctly.
• Demonstrate making a polite request appropriately in a familiar situation.

Social Domain

• Collaborate with peers in role-playing polite requests.
• Interact respectfully when asking for objects, help, or permission.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Macmillan Primary English for Primary 1
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Syllables sorting cards
• Approved publisherneutral text
• Letter, word and picture cards
• Exercise books and pencils
• Common classroom objects (e.g., pencil, book, eraser, ruler)
• Flashcards with polite phrases (e.g., “Please,” “May I,” “Can I,” “Excuse me”)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important because it equips pupils with essential communication skills for polite interaction. Learning to make polite requests helps pupils express their needs respectfully and fosters positive relationships with others. It also lays a foundation for effective social communication in various settings.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have basic knowledge of simple greetings and can form simple sentences in English.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Making Polite Requests

What are Polite Requests?

Polite requests are ways of asking for something, help, or permission in a kind and respectful manner. They show good manners and respect for others.

Polite Request Words and Phrases

We use special words and phrases to make our requests polite. Some of these include:

1. Please: Used to make a request softer and more polite.
2. May I: Used when asking for permission.
3. Can I: Used when asking for permission or an object.
4. Excuse me: Used to get someone’s attention before making a request or asking for permission to pass.

How to Request an Object Politely

When you want to ask for an object, you can say:

1. “Please, may I have a pencil?”
2. “Can I borrow your book, please?”
3. “Excuse me, please pass me the ruler.”

How to Ask for Help or Clarification Politely

When you need help or want to understand something better, you can say:

1. “Please, can you help me with this?”
2. “May I ask for your help, please?”
3. “Excuse me, I don’t understand. Can you explain it again, please?”

How to Ask for Permission Politely

When you want to do something, you should ask for permission politely:

1. “May I go to the toilet, please?”
2. “Can I play with the ball, please?”
3. “Excuse me, may I come in?”

Suitable Tone and Respectful Response to a Request

When making a request, use a soft, clear voice. When someone makes a request to you, respond kindly. If you can help, say “Yes, you may” or “Here you are.” If you cannot, say “I am sorry, I cannot.” Always say “Thank you” after someone helps you or grants your request.

Changing Impolite Commands to Polite Requests

An impolite command tells someone what to do directly. A polite request asks them nicely. We can change commands into polite requests by adding “please,” “may I,” or “can I.”

1. Impolite Command: “Give me your book!”
   Polite Request: “Please, may I have your book?” or “Can I borrow your book, please?”
2. Impolite Command: “Sit down!”
   Polite Request: “Please, sit down.” or “Would you please sit down?”
3. Impolite Command: “Go out!”
   Polite Request: “May I please go out?” (if asking for self) or “Please, can you go out for a moment?” (if asking someone else)

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Role-play, Pair Work, Individual Practice.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Recalling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them how they ask for things from their parents or friends. The teacher then introduces the topic: “Making Polite Requests” and explains that it is important to use kind words when asking for things.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Introduction to polite requests

Step 2: Explanation of Polite Request Words

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Modeling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what polite requests are and introduces key polite words and phrases like “please,” “may I,” “can I,” and “excuse me” using flashcards. The teacher models the pronunciation and use of each phrase.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils repeat the polite words and phrases after the teacher and try to understand their meaning.

Learning Point: Polite request vocabulary

Step 3: Requesting Objects Politely

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to request various classroom objects politely (e.g., “Please, may I have a pencil?”). The teacher then guides pupils to practice requesting objects from the teacher and from each other using the polite phrases.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils practice requesting objects politely, using “please,” “may I,” or “can I.”

Learning Point: Requesting objects politely

Step 4: Asking for Help or Clarification Politely

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Modeling/Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates scenarios where help or clarification is needed (e.g., “Please, can you help me carry this book?”). The teacher then asks pupils to imagine needing help and practice asking for it politely.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils practice asking for help or clarification using polite phrases.

Learning Point: Asking for help politely

Step 5: Asking for Permission Politely

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Scenario-based Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents scenarios where pupils need permission (e.g., going out, using a toy). The teacher models asking for permission politely (e.g., “May I go to the toilet, please?”). Pupils then practice asking for permission in similar scenarios.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils practice asking for permission using “May I” or “Can I” with “please.”

Learning Point: Asking for permission politely

Step 6: Role-play and Practice

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Collaborative Learning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher organises pupils into pairs or small groups for short role-play activities. Pupils take turns making polite requests and responding respectfully in various situations. The teacher observes and provides feedback.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils engage in role-play, practicing making and responding to polite requests.

Learning Point: Practicing polite interactions

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Mention two polite words you can use when asking for something.
2. How would you politely ask your friend for their pencil?
3. What would you say if you want to go out of the classroom?
4. Change this command into a polite request: “Give me water!”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding polite requests

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to copy the essential Board Summary notes on polite request words and examples into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the importance of using polite words and phrases like “please,” “may I,” and “can I” when making requests. The teacher encourages pupils to always be polite in their interactions.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and affirm their commitment to using polite language.

Learning Point: Reinforcing politeness

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Write polite requests for the following situations:

1. You want to borrow your classmate’s eraser.
2. You need help carrying your bag.
3. You want to drink water.
4. Your teacher asks you to give a book to a friend.
5. Change the command “Close the door!” into a polite request.

Lesson Keywords

• Polite – showing good manners and respect.
• Request – to ask for something.
• Please – a word used to make a request polite.
• May I – used to ask for permission.
• Can I – used to ask for permission or an object.
• Excuse me – used to get attention or ask to pass.
• Command – an order telling someone what to do.

Differentiation

For weaker learners, the teacher will provide more one-on-one modelling and repetition of key phrases. They can be given simpler scenarios for practice. For faster learners, the teacher can challenge them to create longer dialogues or role-play more complex situations involving multiple polite requests and responses.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, search on YouTube for: Primary 1 polite requests English lessons

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, gather various common classroom objects and prepare flashcards with polite request phrases. Begin by engaging pupils in a discussion about how they ask for things at home to connect to their prior experience. Model each polite phrase and scenario clearly, encouraging pupils to repeat after you. Pay close attention to their tone and pronunciation during practice. The role-play activity is crucial for practical application; ensure all pupils get a chance to participate. During the note-taking step, guide pupils to copy the Board Summary neatly. Emphasise that using polite language is a habit they should practice daily, both in school and at home. Correct common errors gently and reinforce positive behaviour.