Modal auxiliaries: Can/may, might/must, could/should

General

In this lesson, students will learn about the modal auxiliaries, can/may, might/must, and could/should. They will learn when to use each word with a series of activities, including identifying modals in sentences, selecting the appropriate modals, and writing their own passages/stories using modals.

Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.1c

Learning objective

Students will be able to use modal auxiliaries in a sentence.

Introduction

Students will find the verbs in a short passage about a ballerina. Introduce modal auxiliaries, verbs that show ability, necessity, possibility, or obligation. Students will compare "can" and "may," "might" and "must," and "could" and "should." They will also sort those words into categories (ability, necessity, possibility, obligation). Discuss why it's important to understand modal auxiliary verbs, or modals.

Instruction

Students will read several sentences and highlight the modal auxiliaries. They will also read five sentences and select the modal that best fits each sentence. Ask students to explain their thinking. Next, they will read a letter from Carolina to Cassandra and identify the modals as well as the verbs the modals modify. Students will then read a few scenarios and use modals in their responses. They will also write stories using modals based on two scenarios, "A customer is unhappy with the service at a restaurant," and "A family finds a lost dog in their yard."

Quiz

Students will respond to ten questions which check their understanding of key points of the lesson.

Closing

Students will recall:
- - What are modal auxiliaries?
- What are some examples?
- Why is this important?

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