Modal Auxiliaries, Tense Change, Moral Reading and Composition Writing for Primary 4

Class: Primary 4
Term: 1st Term
Week: 3
Age: 9 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: English Language Studies
Curriculum Theme: English Language Studies
Previous Lesson: Simple Conversation, Present Tense and Address Writing.
Topic: English Language Skills: Grammar, Reading, and Writing
Subject Matter: Speech: Using modal auxiliaries for permission; Grammatical Accuracy: Changing present tense to past tense; Reading: Reading passages on good morals; Writing: Writing simple compositions.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

• Identify modal auxiliaries used for permission.
• State the rules for changing present tense verbs to past tense verbs.
• Answer comprehension questions after reading a passage.
• List the basic parts of a simple composition.

Affective Domain:

• Appreciate the importance of using correct grammar in communication.
• Show interest in reading stories that teach good morals.
• Develop a positive attitude towards writing their own compositions.

Psychomotor Domain:

• Formulate sentences correctly using modal auxiliaries for permission.
• Transform given present tense sentences into past tense sentences.
• Read a short passage clearly and with understanding.
• Write a simple, coherent composition on a familiar topic.

Social Domain:

• Participate actively in class discussions related to grammar and reading.
• Collaborate with peers in practicing sentence transformations and reading activities.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Primary Schools.
• State Unified Scheme of Work for Primary 4 English Language.
• New Oxford Primary English Course for Primary 4.
• https://www.education.gov.ng

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Charts showing modal auxiliaries and tense changes.
• Textbooks containing reading passages.
• Pupils’ notebooks.
• Whiteboard/blackboard and markers/chalk.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils to speak and write English more accurately by teaching them correct grammar rules. It also enables them to understand written texts better and express their own ideas clearly through writing. These skills are important for effective communication in school and daily life.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have basic knowledge of sentence formation, common verbs, and simple reading skills.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

English Language Skills

Modal Auxiliaries for Permission

Modal auxiliaries are special verbs that are used with other verbs to express ability, possibility, permission, or obligation. For permission, common modal auxiliaries are ‘may’, ‘can’, and ‘could’.

The following are examples of modal auxiliaries used for permission:

• May: Used for formal permission. Example: “May I use your pen?”
• Can: Used for general permission. Example: “You can go out to play now.”
• Could: Used for polite permission (more polite than ‘can’). Example: “Could I borrow your book for a moment?”

Changing Present Tense to Past Tense

Verbs change their form to show when an action happened. Present tense shows actions happening now or regularly, while past tense shows actions that have already happened.

The following are ways to change present tense verbs to past tense:

• Adding ‘-ed’ to regular verbs:
  • Present: walk → Past: walked
  • Present: play → Past: played
• Changing the vowel sound (irregular verbs):
  • Present: sing → Past: sang
  • Present: run → Past: ran
• Completely different forms (irregular verbs):
  • Present: go → Past: went
  • Present: eat → Past: ate

Reading Passages on Good Morals

Reading passages on good morals helps pupils to understand stories and learn valuable life lessons. It also improves reading comprehension and vocabulary.

When reading such passages, pupils should:

• Read carefully to understand the main idea.
• Identify the characters and the setting.
• Look for the moral lesson or message in the story.
• Be able to answer questions about the passage.

Writing Simple Compositions

A composition is a short piece of writing on a particular topic. Writing compositions helps pupils to express their thoughts and ideas clearly and creatively.

A simple composition usually has the following parts:

• Title: A catchy name for the composition.
• Introduction: The beginning paragraph that introduces the topic.
• Body: The main paragraphs that develop the topic with details.
• Conclusion: The ending paragraph that summarizes the main points or gives a final thought.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and briefly reviews the previous lesson. The teacher then introduces the day’s topic, “English Language Skills: Grammar, Reading, and Writing,” by asking pupils about the importance of speaking and writing correctly.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings and questions, listen attentively, and prepare for the lesson.
Learning Point: Pupils recall previous knowledge and are introduced to the new lesson’s focus.

Step 2: Modal Auxiliaries for Permission

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what modal auxiliaries are and focuses on ‘may’, ‘can’, and ‘could’ for permission. The teacher writes example sentences on the board and explains their usage.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, observe the examples, ask questions, and practice forming simple sentences using the modals for permission.
Learning Point: Pupils understand and can use ‘may’, ‘can’, and ‘could’ to ask for or give permission.

Step 3: Changing Present Tense to Past Tense

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the concept of present and past tenses. The teacher then teaches the rules for changing present tense verbs to past tense, providing examples of regular and irregular verbs. Pupils are guided to change some sentences from present to past tense.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, write down rules and examples, and actively participate in transforming sentences from present to past tense.
Learning Point: Pupils learn how to correctly change verbs from present tense to past tense.

Step 4: Reading Passages on Good Morals

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reading/Guidance
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes a short passage on good morals or displays it on a chart. The teacher reads the passage aloud first, then asks pupils to read it individually or in turns, emphasizing clear pronunciation and understanding.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils follow along as the teacher reads, then take turns reading the passage. They identify the main idea and moral lesson.
Learning Point: Pupils improve their reading skills and identify moral lessons from stories.

Step 5: Answering Comprehension Questions

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks specific comprehension questions based on the passage read in Step 4. Questions will cover main characters, events, and the moral of the story.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer the comprehension questions orally, demonstrating their understanding of the passage.
Learning Point: Pupils show their ability to understand and interpret a given text.

Step 6: Writing Simple Compositions

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Instruction/Guidance
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the basic structure of a simple composition (title, introduction, body, conclusion). The teacher provides a simple topic, such as “My Best Friend” or “A Day at the Market,” and guides pupils on how to start writing.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the instructions, choose a topic, and begin to plan and write a simple composition in their notebooks, focusing on the structure taught.
Learning Point: Pupils begin to develop their composition writing skills.

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 modal auxiliaries used for permission.
2. Change the verb ‘eat’ to its past tense form.
3. What is the main purpose of reading passages on good morals?
4. State any two parts of a simple composition.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, emphasizing the importance of correct grammar, active reading, and clear writing. The teacher assigns homework, such as completing the composition started in class or finding more examples of modal auxiliaries.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary, ask any final questions, and copy down the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding and are encouraged to practice the learned skills.

Home Task: Write four correct English sentences that demonstrate the main language skill in English Language Skills: Grammar, Reading, and Writing.

Lesson Keywords

• Modals – Special verbs like ‘may’, ‘can’, ‘could’ that show permission, ability, etc.
• Auxiliaries – Helping verbs that work with main verbs.
• Permission – Allowing someone to do something.
• Present Tense – A verb form that shows action happening now or regularly.
• Past Tense – A verb form that shows action that has already happened.
• Composition – A short piece of writing on a specific topic.
• Morals – Lessons or principles about right and wrong behaviour taught in stories.

Differentiation

For pupils who are struggling, the teacher will provide simpler sentences for tense transformation and more direct guidance during composition writing. They will also be paired with stronger pupils for reading activities. For advanced pupils, the teacher will encourage them to use more complex sentences with modals, write longer compositions with more descriptive details, and lead discussions on the moral lessons in the passages.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should adjust the lesson content and activities to suit the specific needs and prior knowledge of their pupils. Encourage active participation and provide constructive feedback on pupils’ grammar and writing. Practical examples from the pupils’ daily lives can make the lesson more relatable and engaging.