Making Requests Politely with ‘Could You Kindly…’ for Pre-School Level 4

Class: Pre-School Level 4

Term: Third Term

Week: 6

Age: 5 years

Duration: 30 minutes

Subject: Personal Development

Curriculum Theme: Personal Development

Previous Lesson: Saying ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’

Topic: MAKING REQUESTS POLITELY WITH ‘COULD YOU KINDLY…’

Subject Matter: MAKING REQUEST POLITELY – The use of “Could you kindly…”. Weekly focus: Making Requests Politely with ‘Could You Kindly…’.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify situations where they need to make a request.
• Recall the polite phrase “Could you kindly…” when making a request.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of using polite language when asking for things.
• Feel confident to use “Could you kindly…” in daily interactions.

Psychomotor Domain

• Demonstrate how to make a polite request using “Could you kindly…” in a role-play.
• Practise saying “Could you kindly…” clearly and respectfully.

Social Domain

• Interact politely with peers and adults when making requests.
• Participate in classroom activities involving polite communication.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4
• Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources
• Charts and posters on good manners

Instructional Materials

• Charts displaying polite request phrases
• Pictures showing children making requests
• A toy cup and a small bottle of water for role-play
• Flashcards with simple request scenarios (e.g., “Ask for a crayon,” “Ask for help”)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is crucial for Pre-School Level 4 pupils as it teaches them how to communicate their needs and wants respectfully. Learning to use phrases like “Could you kindly…” helps children develop strong social skills, foster positive relationships, and navigate social situations with courtesy, which are essential for their personal development and interaction within the school and home environment.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have previously learned about basic polite words like ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and understand the importance of good manners.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Making Requests Politely with ‘Could You Kindly…’

Making a request means asking for something you want or need. It is very important to ask politely so that people are happy to help you.

Why be polite?

• It shows respect for others.
• People are more likely to help you when you ask nicely.
• It makes everyone feel good.

How to make a polite request:

We use special polite words when we ask for things. Today, we will learn to use the phrase:

“Could you kindly…”

This phrase is a very polite way to ask someone to do something for you.

Examples of using “Could you kindly…”:

• When you are thirsty and want water from a friend: “Could you kindly give me a cup of water?”
• When you need a crayon from a classmate: “Could you kindly pass me the blue crayon?”
• When you need help with a difficult task: “Teacher, could you kindly help me with this puzzle?”
• When you want someone to open the door: “Mummy, could you kindly open the door for me?”

Always remember to say “Thank you” after someone helps you!

Key Words

• Request – To ask for something.
• Kindly – In a kind or polite way.
• Polite – Showing good manners and respect for others.

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

• Display charts with the phrase “Could you kindly…” written clearly.
• Show pictures of children making polite requests (e.g., one child handing another a toy after being asked politely).
• Demonstrate the actions of asking for water with a cup.

Polite Request Song

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”

Lyrics:

Could you kindly, yes you could,
Ask for things, like good kids should.
When you want a cup of water,
Or a pencil, for your daughter.
Could you kindly, yes you could,
Ask for things, like good kids should.

Actions:

(Could you kindly, yes you could) – Point to a friend, then nod.
(Ask for things, like good kids should) – Bring hands together as if asking.
(When you want a cup of water) – Pretend to drink from a cup.
(Or a pencil, for your daughter) – Pretend to write.
(Could you kindly, yes you could) – Point to a friend, then nod.
(Ask for things, like good kids should) – Bring hands together as if asking.

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

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: Engagement/Recap

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to recall some polite words they know (e.g., ‘please’, ‘thank you’, ‘sorry’). The teacher then introduces the topic of making polite requests.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by saying familiar polite words and listen attentively to the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils recall previous knowledge and are introduced to the new lesson.

Step 2: Presentation of ‘Request’

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what a “request” means using simple examples relevant to the classroom (e.g., “When you want to borrow a toy, you make a request”). The teacher shows pictures of children asking for things.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanation, look at the pictures, and identify children making requests.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the meaning of a “request.”

Step 3: Introducing ‘Could you kindly…’

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Modelling/Pronunciation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the phrase “Could you kindly…” as a very polite way to make a request. The teacher says the phrase clearly several times and asks pupils to repeat it. The teacher explains that “kindly” means “in a kind way.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the phrase and repeat “Could you kindly…” after the teacher, focusing on clear pronunciation.

Learning Point: Pupils learn the new polite phrase and practise saying it.

Step 4: Guided Practice with Teacher

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Scenario Building

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents simple scenarios (e.g., “I need a red crayon,” “I want to open the door”). For each scenario, the teacher models how to use “Could you kindly…” to make the request. The teacher then asks pupils to repeat the full polite request.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the scenarios, observe the teacher’s demonstration, and repeat the polite requests after the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils practise using the phrase in different contexts with teacher guidance.

Step 5: Role-play Scenarios

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Role-play/Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher sets up a simple role-play. For example, the teacher pretends to be thirsty and asks a pupil, “Could you kindly give me a cup of water?” The teacher then guides pupils to practise asking a friend for a cup of water using the phrase. The teacher uses the toy cup and water for a realistic demonstration.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take turns role-playing, demonstrating how they would ask a friend or the teacher for a cup of water (or another item) using “Could you kindly…”

Learning Point: Pupils apply the polite phrase in practical, simulated social interactions.

Step 6: Rhyme Reinforcement

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Singing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in singing the “Polite Request Song” from the Lesson Content/Board Summary. The teacher encourages pupils to perform the actions along with the song.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the song together with actions, reinforcing the use of “Could you kindly…”

Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their learning through song and movement.

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 when we want to ask for something politely?”
2. “Show me how you would ask your friend for a pencil using ‘Could you kindly…’.”
3. “Why is it important to ask for things politely?”

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: Summary/Encouragement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and reminds them to always use “Could you kindly…” when making requests at home and at school. The teacher encourages them to practise daily.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the teacher’s concluding remarks and acknowledge the importance of using polite language.

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

Lesson Keywords

• Request – To ask for something you want or need.
• Kindly – To do something in a nice and polite way.
• Polite – Showing good manners and respect.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils who struggle, the teacher can provide more one-on-one modelling, use larger picture cards, or have them repeat the phrase in unison with a smaller group. Provide hand-over-hand guidance during role-play if needed.
• Extension: For quicker learners, the teacher can challenge them to create their own polite request scenarios or to use the phrase in a short sentence about something they want to do at home. They can also be encouraged to identify other polite phrases.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before the lesson, prepare the charts, pictures, and role-play items (toy cup, water). The main idea children must grasp is that using “Could you kindly…” is a respectful and effective way to ask for things. Emphasize that politeness helps them get what they need and makes others feel good. Demonstrate the phrase clearly and slowly, encouraging pupils to imitate your tone and body language. Repeat the rhyme multiple times to help with memorization. During role-play, ensure every child gets a chance to practise, even if it’s just repeating the phrase. Observe if pupils can clearly say the phrase and demonstrate a polite manner when asking. Encourage them to use it in real classroom situations throughout the day.