English lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 30 minutes
Modal verbs and adverbs of possibility
Grammar
CCSS L.4.1.CEngland: Y5 GPS (modal verbs)England: KS2 SATs GPS
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Modal verbs and adverbs of possibility.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Subject–verb agreement
Leads to: The subjunctive mood
Materials: Sentence strips, Highlighters, Mini whiteboards, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 4 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Subject–verb agreement). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Choose the verb that agrees with the subject. They ___ football after school. (plays / play) → playPrompt: Who or what is doing the action? That is the subject.
- Choose the verb that agrees with the subject. There ___ a spider in the bath! (are / is) → isPrompt: Find the main subject. Ignore words like 'of the…' or 'with the…' that come after it.
- Choose the verb that agrees with the subject. I ___ a little brother. (have / has) → havePrompt: Who or what is doing the action? That is the subject.
Hook · 3 min
- Show a sentence with the grammar point used wrongly and ask what sounds odd.
- Share the objective: Modal verbs and adverbs of possibility. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 7 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Choose the modal verb that fits best. You ___ touch the oven. It's very hot!
- Step 1: Modal verbs show how likely, possible or necessary an action is.
- Step 2: Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "You mustn't touch the oven. It's very hot!"
- Step 3: So the answer is: mustn't
- Answer: mustn't
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 6 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Choose the modal verb that fits best. The baby is crying. She ___ be hungry. (I'm almost sure) (must / can't / shall / needn't) → mustPrompt: How certain or necessary is the action?
- Read the question and choose. Which modal verb shows the HIGHEST certainty? (might / may / could / will) → willPrompt: Put each word into a sentence like 'It ___ rain'.
You do: independent practice · 7 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 3 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Choose the modal verb that fits best. I ___ swim when I was five. (must / can / could / shall) → couldPrompt: How certain or necessary is the action?
- Read the question and choose. Which adverb shows the HIGHEST certainty? (maybe / possibly / definitely / perhaps) → definitelyPrompt: Put each word into a sentence like 'It ___ rain'.
Watch out for
- Naming the feature but not using it in their own sentences.
- Thinking a sentence is right because it sounds right when spoken casually.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Subject–verb agreement.
- Use concrete materials: sentence strips.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: The subjunctive mood.
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-5.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder