Modal Verbs Lesson, Grades 3-4: Can, May, Must & Should

I swim in the lake. I can swim in the lake. What changed? In about 40 minutes, students learn that a modal is a helping verb that comes before a main verb and adds a meaning: can shows ability, may shows permission or possibility, must shows need, and should shows advice. A modal does not change to agree with the subject (I can, she can, they can). The Rule Notes also explain that many people use can for permission when they talk, that formal writing often uses may, and that in this lesson both are fine.

What's inside

• 16 slides, with speaker notes on all 16
• Lesson plan, 2 pages
• Rule Notes, 1 student page with a modal and meaning chart
• Student worksheet, 2 pages
• Teacher answer key, 1 page
• Print-all PDF, 6 pages: lesson plan, Rule Notes, worksheet and answer key together

Answer key included

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