Teaching Notes: Using 'Can' for Kids
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
Use 'can' to talk about abilities
Use 'can' to ask for permission
Use 'can' to make requests
Form negative sentences with 'can't'
Ask questions with 'can'
1. CAN for ABILITIES (What I'm Good At!)
What is 'can'?
'Can' is a special word that tells us what someone is able to do.
Structure:
Subject + can + base verb
Examples:
I can swim. 🏊♀️
She can dance. 💃
He can play football. ⚽
We can sing. 🎵
They can ride bicycles. 🚴♂️
Fun Activity Ideas:
"What Can You Do?" Circle: Students share their abilities
Animal Actions: "A bird can fly, a fish can swim"
Show and Tell: Students demonstrate what they can do
2. CAN for PERMISSION (May I Please?)
When to use:
When we want to ask if something is okay to do.
Structure:
Can I + base verb...?
Examples:
🚻
Can I go to the bathroom?
Can I have some water? 💧
Can I sit here? 🪑
Can I open the window? 🪟
Polite Responses:
Yes, you can. ✅
No, you can't. ❌
Sure! / Of course! 😊
Role-Play Ideas:
Classroom situations
At home with family
In a restaurant
3. CAN for REQUESTS (Can You Help Me?)
When to use:
When we want to ask someone to do something for us.
Structure:
Can you + base verb...?
Examples:
Can you help me? 🤝
Can you close the door? 🚪
Can you pass the pencil? ✏️
Can you speak louder? 📢
Teaching Tip:
Explain that this is a polite way to ask for help!
4. NEGATIVE FORM: CAN'T
Full Form vs. Short Form:
Cannot (formal) = Can't (informal)
Kids usually use "can't" in speaking
Structure:
Subject + can't + base verb
Examples:
I can't swim. 🚫🏊♀️
She can't drive. (She's too young!) 🚫🚗
He can't fly. (Nobody can!) 🚫✈️
We can't go outside. (It's raining!) 🚫🌧️
Fun Practice:
"What Can't Animals Do?": A fish can't walk, a bird can't swim underwater
"Impossible Things": I can't touch the moon, I can't become invisible
5. QUESTIONS WITH CAN
Yes/No Questions:
Can + subject + base verb...?
Examples:
Can you swim?
Yes, I can. / No, I can't.
Can she sing?
Yes, she can. / No, she can't.
Can dogs talk?
No, they can't!
WH-Questions:
What can you do?
Where can we go?
When can you come?
6. COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
❌ Wrong:
I can to swim.
I can swimming.
Can you to help me?
✅ Correct:
I can swim.
I can swim.
Can you help me?
Teaching Tip:
Remind students: After 'can', we NEVER use 'to' or add '-ing'!
7. PRACTICE ACTIVITIES
Activity 1: "Can Chain"
Students sit in a circle. First student says "I can..." Second student repeats and adds their
own: "She can dance, and I can sing."
Activity 2: "Permission Practice"
Students practice asking permission for different classroom activities.
Activity 3: "Animal Abilities"
Create a chart of what different animals can and can't do.
Activity 4: "Help Me, Please!"
Students practice making polite requests using "Can you...?"
8. ASSESSMENT IDEAS
Quick Check:
Fill in the blanks: "I _ ride a bike." (can/can't)
Match the sentences: Connect questions with appropriate answers
True or False: "Birds can swim." (False - most birds can't swim)
Speaking Assessment:
Students interview each other about abilities
Role-play asking for permission
Make requests using "Can you...?"
9. HOMEWORK SUGGESTIONS
Easy Level:
Draw pictures of 3 things you can do and 3 things you can't do
Write 5 sentences using 'can'
Medium Level:
Write a short paragraph about your family's abilities
Create a dialogue asking for permission
Challenge Level:
Write about what you can do now vs. what you could do when you were younger
10. USEFUL VOCABULARY FOR LESSONS
Ability Words:
swim, dance, sing, run, jump, read, write, draw, cook, play
Permission Contexts:
classroom, home, playground, library, restaurant
Request Situations:
help, pass, open, close, move, carry, explain
Teacher Notes:
Use lots of gestures and visuals
Make it interactive with movements
Praise students when they use 'can' correctly
Connect to students' real experiences
Keep it fun and engaging!
Remember: 'Can' is one of the most useful words in English - help your students master it!
🌟
