Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, prepare picture cards showing children asking politely (e.g., “May I have a crayon?”) and interrupting (e.g., “Excuse me, may I speak?”). The central idea for pupils is to understand and begin using “Excuse me” to get attention and “May I” to ask for permission or objects. Observe pupils actively practising these phrases in role-play and short interactions to show successful learning.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Third Term
Week: 2
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Personal Development
Curriculum Theme: Personal Development
Previous Lesson: Learning to greet others politely.
Topic: Proper Ways to Make Request
Subject Matter: Proper Ways to Make Request
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 phrases “Excuse me” and “May I.”
Affective Domain
- Show willingness to use polite words when asking for things or attention.
- Appreciate the importance of being polite.
Psychomotor Domain
- Demonstrate using “Excuse me” to get someone’s attention.
- Practise saying “May I” when asking for permission or an object.
Social Domain
- Participate in role-play scenarios using polite request phrases.
- Interact respectfully with peers and adults when making requests.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- Picture cards showing children making polite requests
- Charts with “Excuse me” and “May I” written clearly
- Puppets or dolls for role-play
- Small objects like crayons, toys, books for practice
- Audio/video player (for song/video)
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for 4-year-olds as it teaches them essential social skills for interacting respectfully with others. Learning to use “Excuse me” and “May I” helps children communicate their needs politely, fostering positive relationships and a harmonious classroom environment. These phrases build confidence and lay a foundation for good manners.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can already greet people politely and understand simple instructions. They know how to ask for basic needs like “water” or “toilet” in simple ways.Lesson Content/Board Summary
Proper Ways to Make Request
When you want to ask for something or get someone’s attention, it is important to be polite. Using polite words shows respect and makes people happy to help you.
Getting Attention: “Excuse me”
When someone is talking or busy, and you need to speak to them, you say “Excuse me.” This is a polite way to get their attention without interrupting rudely.
- Example: “Excuse me, Teacher, I need to use the toilet.”
- Example: “Excuse me, Mummy, can I have some juice?”
Asking for Permission or Objects: “May I”
When you want to ask if you can do something, or if you can have something, you say “May I.” This shows you are asking for permission.
- Example: “May I play with the blocks?”
- Example: “May I have a crayon, please?”
- Example: “May I go outside to play?”
Key Words
- Request – to ask for something.
- Polite – showing good manners and respect.
- Excuse me – a phrase used to get someone’s attention politely.
- May I – a phrase used to ask for permission.
Polite Request Song
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
When you want to ask for things,
Polite words, politeness brings.
“Excuse me,” if you need to speak,
“May I,” when a toy you seek.
Polite words make our day so bright,
Always use them, day and night.
Actions:
- “Excuse me”: Gently tap own shoulder.
- “May I”: Hold out hands as if asking for something.
- “Polite words”: Smile and nod.
Watch and Practise
Watch this video to see more examples of how to use “Excuse me” and “May I” politely.
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Introduce the concept of polite requests by asking pupils what they say when they want something. Explain “Excuse me” first with a clear demonstration of how to get attention without shouting. Then introduce “May I” for asking permission. Use simple, relatable scenarios like asking for a toy or to leave the class. Emphasize that these words make people happy to help.
What to show or demonstrate: Use picture cards to illustrate situations for “Excuse me” (e.g., child tapping an adult’s arm) and “May I” (e.g., child holding out hand for a crayon). Model the phrases clearly, emphasizing polite tone and eye contact. Use puppets or dolls to demonstrate simple role-play scenarios.
How to use the rhyme/song: Sing the “Polite Request Song” together, demonstrating the actions. Repeat it several times to help pupils memorize the phrases and associate them with the actions. Encourage pupils to sing along and perform the actions.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as showing more examples of polite requests. Play the video and encourage pupils to watch for the phrases “Excuse me” and “May I.” After watching, discuss what they saw and have them practise saying the phrases as demonstrated in the video.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are able to distinguish between when to use “Excuse me” and when to use “May I.” Watch for correct pronunciation and a polite tone. Correct gently if they interrupt without “Excuse me” or demand instead of asking “May I.”
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Songs and Rhymes
- Picture Talk
- Question and Answer
- Role-play
- Repetition
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engaging/Motivation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets pupils and asks them what they say when they want something from a friend or teacher. The teacher introduces the topic of polite requests.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and listen to the introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the idea of making requests.
Step 2: Introducing “Excuse me”
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains that sometimes people are busy, and we need to get their attention politely. The teacher demonstrates how to say “Excuse me” with a gentle gesture and explains its use with examples (e.g., “Excuse me, Teacher, I want to ask a question.”). The teacher uses picture cards showing someone getting attention politely.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the demonstration, listen to the examples, and repeat “Excuse me” after the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils learn when and how to use “Excuse me.”
Step 3: Guided Practice with “Excuse me”
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Role-play
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher creates simple scenarios where pupils need to get attention (e.g., teacher pretending to read a book, another pupil pretending to draw). The teacher guides pupils to practise saying “Excuse me” to get attention.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take turns practising saying “Excuse me” in simple role-play situations, tapping the teacher’s or a peer’s arm gently.
Learning Point: Pupils practise using “Excuse me” in a simulated context.
Step 4: Introducing “May I”
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains that when we want to ask for permission or an object, we say “May I.” The teacher demonstrates with objects (e.g., holding a crayon, asking “May I have a crayon, please?”) and scenarios (e.g., “May I go to the toilet?”). The teacher uses picture cards for “May I.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the demonstration, listen to the examples, and repeat “May I” after the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils learn when and how to use “May I.”
Step 5: Reinforcement through Song and Video
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Song/Video Integration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in singing the “Polite Request Song” with actions. Then, the teacher plays the verified YouTube video on polite requests, asking pupils to pay attention to “Excuse me” and “May I.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the song with actions and watch the video, identifying the polite phrases.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding of polite requests through song and visual aids.
Step 6: Application and Role-play
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Application/Role-play
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher sets up various scenarios using puppets or real objects (e.g., “You want to borrow a friend’s toy,” “You want to ask the teacher for help”). The teacher encourages pupils to use both “Excuse me” and “May I” correctly.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in short role-play activities, practising making requests using the correct polite phrases.
Learning Point: Pupils apply the learned phrases in practical, interactive situations.
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 when you want to get someone’s attention politely? (Expected: “Excuse me”)
- What do you say when you want to ask for a toy or permission to do something? (Expected: “May I”)
- Show me how you would ask for a crayon from your friend politely.
- Show me how you would get my attention if I was busy talking.
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: Summarizing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises pupils for their participation and reminds them to always use “Excuse me” and “May I” when making requests. The teacher reiterates that being polite makes everyone happy.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and affirm their commitment to using polite words.
Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to use polite language in their daily interactions.
Lesson Keywords
- Request – to ask for something you want or need.
- Polite – showing good manners and respect for others.
- Excuse me – a phrase used to politely get someone’s attention.
- May I – a phrase used to politely ask for permission or to have something.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who struggle, provide more one-on-one modelling and repetition. Use larger picture cards and allow them to point to the correct phrase. Focus on mastering one phrase first before moving to the next.
- Extension: Encourage advanced pupils to create their own short scenarios for using “Excuse me” and “May I.” Ask them to identify other polite words they know and when to use them (e.g., “Please,” “Thank you”).
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