Social Compass Intro Slides The Social Compass
Navigating Formal & Informal Worlds
The Big Question
"Why do we change how we speak depending on who we are talking to and where we are?"
The Who
The Where
Hook: Video Detective
Video A: The YouTuber
Talking to millions of "best friends" at home.
Video B: The News Anchor
Reporting the facts to the entire city.
What are 3 differences in how they talk?
New Vocabulary: Register
Register (Noun)
The way you use language for a specific purpose or situation.
Formal Register
Serious, polite, follow strict rules. Use with strangers or bosses.
Informal Register
Relaxed, casual, uses slang/shortcuts. Use with friends or family.
Choosing Your Register
Formal
School Principal
Doctors & Dentists
Giving a Presentation
Strangers
Informal
Best Friends
Cousins & Siblings
Playground Games
Dinner at Home
Your Turn!
Grab your "Context Map" worksheet.
Step 1: CUT
Cut out the scenarios.
Step 2: SORT
Formal or Informal?
Step 3: GLUE
Finalize your choices.
Context Sorting Worksheet The Context Map
Sorting Formal & Informal Scenarios
Name:
Date:
Detective Mission:
Look at the scenarios at the bottom of the page. Cut them out and glue them into the correct box. Think about who is talking and where they are!
FORMAL
Serious & Polite
INFORMAL
Relaxed & Casual
Asking a doctor about a broken arm.
Playing Tag with your friends at lunch.
Telling your mom you want a snack.
Introducing yourself to the School Principal.
Giving a speech about the environment.
Texting your cousin "LOL! R U OK?"
Ordering food at a fancy restaurant.
Singing silly songs with your baby sister.
Polite Request Slides The Politeness Portal
Mastering Polite Requests & Modals
The "Rude vs. Polite" Robot
ERROR: Rude Robot
"Give me that book. I want it now!"
REPROGRAMMED: Polite
"Excuse me, could I please borrow that book?"
What changed? How did the robot sound different?
Magic Modal Verbs
These 3 words make your requests sound professional and polite:
COULD
"Could you help me?"
WOULD
"Would you mind?"
MAY
"May I go now?"
The Polite Request Recipe
1
Start with "Excuse me..." or "Pardon me..."
2
Add a Modal Word (Could / Would / May)
3
Add "please" somewhere in the middle or end.
"Excuse me, could you please help me?"
Polite Portal Challenge
Use your Task Cards to practice making polite requests in these formal situations:
The Library
The Doctor's Office
Polite Request Task Cards The Politeness Portal
Practice Cards: Formal Polite Requests
Partner Name:
How to Play:
Take turns with a partner. One person reads the Situation , and the other must "pass through the portal" by making a polite request using could, would, or may.
Situation 1
You are at the Library.
"You need help finding a book about dinosaurs, but the librarian is busy typing."
Your Polite Request:
Situation 2
You are in the Cafeteria.
"You forgot your fork and need to ask the lunch lady for one."
Your Polite Request:
Situation 3
The Principal's Office.
"You need to hand a permission slip to the principal, but you need to know where to put it."
Your Polite Request:
Situation 4
On the School Bus.
"You want the bus driver to wait a second because your friend is running to catch up."
Your Polite Request:
Magic Word Bank
Excuse me...
Could I...
Would you mind...
May I...
Casual Talk Slides The Friendship Zone
Slang, Contractions & Casual Talk
The Secret Greeting
In 1 minute, invent a secret "informal" greeting with your partner. It must include a handshake and a casual phrase!
Example: "Yo! High-five! What's up?"
What is "Slang"?
Definition
Very informal words and phrases that are common in speech, especially between friends.
The Golden Rule:
Use slang with friends, not with principals.
Common Slang for 4th Grade
What's up? = How are you?
No way! = I don't believe you!
My bad! = I am sorry.
Cool / Awesome = Very good.
Contractions: Informal Shortcuts
In the Informal Register, we like to talk fast. We smash words together!
The Rule:
"I am" becomes "I'm". "Do not" becomes "Don't".
Formal Informal I am going I'm going What is happening? What's happening? I cannot believe it I can't believe it They are here They're here
Dialogue Builder
Rewrite this formal sentence for the playground:
"Hello my friend. I would like to play basketball with you."
"Yo! Wanna play hoops?"
Slang Contractions Handout The Friendship Zone
Slang & Contractions Practice
Name:
1. Contraction Power-Up
Informal speaking is fast! Change these formal phrases into informal contractions.
I am
You are
Do not
What is
2. Slang Secret Decoder
Match the formal phrase to its informal slang buddy.
1. I made a mistake.
__
2. That is very good.
__
3. Goodbye!
__
A. Later!
B. My bad!
C. Awesome!
3. Playground Dialogue
Rewrite this formal conversation to sound casual and informal. Use slang and contractions!
The Formal Version:
"Hello Sarah. Do you want to share your lunch with me? It is very delicious."
Your Informal Version:
Code Switching Slides The Code Switcher
Adapting Your Voice for Every Audience
New Term: Code-Switching
Code-Switching (Verb)
Changing the way you speak depending on who you are with.
Just like a chameleon changes its color to match its home, we change our words to match our friends and teachers!
Same Message, Different Code
The Message:
"I AM HUNGRY"
To a Waiter
"Excuse me, could I please see the menu?"
To a Friend
"Yo, I'm starving! Let's get some pizza."
To a Parent
"Mom, can I have a snack before dinner?"
Spinner of Fate
1. Pick a Message Card
Example: "I am tired."
2. Spin the Wheel
Who is your audience?
3. Switch Your Code!
Deliver the message fast!
Principal
Friend
Doctor
Cousin
Who will you get?!
Spinner of Fate Activity The Spinner of Fate
Code-Switching Message Adaptation
Group Members:
Step 1
Cut out the Target Audience and Message cards below.
Step 2
Draw one card from each pile. This is your "fate"!
Step 3
Adapt the message to fit that audience. Perform it for your group!
The Messages (What you need to say)
"I am very thirsty."
"I forgot my pencil."
"I don't like this song."
"I want to go home."
The Audience (Who you are talking to)
A Store Manager
Your Best Friend
Your Grandmother
The Principal
Code-Switcher's Notebook
Choose one combination and write your adapted message below:
The Message
...
The Audience
...
My Adapted Speech
Performance Day Slides Showtime
The Register Skit Performance
The Big Skit Challenge
Your Task:
Work with a partner to write and perform a 1-minute skit where the Situation or the Audience suddenly changes!
You must switch your Register!
1
Pick a scene (School, Home, Cafe)
2
Plan your "Formal" talk
3
Plan your "Informal" talk
The Visual Signal
When you switch registers, use a prop or a gesture to signal the change to the audience!
Formal Signal
Stand straight, put on a tie, or cross arms.
Informal Signal
Slouch, turn hat backward, or wave casually.
The Switch
Make the change fast and dramatic!
Register Skit Checklist
Did you use Modal Verbs (Could/Would) for formal talk?
Did you use Slang or Contractions for informal talk?
Is the change in your Register CLEAR and OBVIOUS?
Did your body language change too?
Skit Planning Worksheet Skit Planning Sheet
Navigating Formal & Informal Shifts
Actors:
Part 1: The Formal Scene
Setting (Where are you?)
...
Audience (Who are you talking to?)
...
Part 2: The Informal Scene
Setting (Where are you?)
...
Audience (Who are you talking to?)
...
The Script Outline
Formal Lines (Use Could/Would)
Informal Lines (Use Slang/Contractions)
The "Switch" Moment
How will you signal to the audience that your register is changing? (Example: turning around, putting on a hat, changing posture)
Performance Rubric Teacher Performance Rubric
Teacher Assessment for Register Skits
Student(s):
Criteria Developing (1) Proficient (2) Exemplary (3) Formal Register (Modals, Polite Greetings)
| Uses very little formal language; may forget polite greetings. | Uses modal verbs (could/would) and appropriate formal greetings. | Consistently uses complex modal structures and highly professional vocabulary. |
| Informal Register
(Slang, Contractions)
| Struggles to use slang appropriately; limited contractions. | Uses appropriate contractions and casual greetings for the context. | Natural use of playground slang and fast-paced casual conversation. |
| Code-Switching
(The Transition)
| Switch is unclear or language doesn't change enough. | Switch is clear and language changes based on the audience. | Switch is dramatic and perfectly timed; clear distinction between registers. |
| Body Language
(Posture, Gestures)
| Body language stays the same in both contexts. | Changes posture or gestures to match the speech register. | Strong physical performance that enhances the language shift. |
Teacher Observation Notes:
Strengths:
Next Steps for Language Growth:
Total Score:
_____ / 12
Grade:
_________
