Magic Words & How to Say Them

GOOD MANNERS (Section #4) – Week 4 – Instructor’s Script

Start the lesson by gathering your students into a tight huddle and ask these three questions:

What does it mean to have good manners?
Why is it important to have good manners?
Can you give me an example of having good manners?

Then share the following story or lesson and ask the questions listed.

This week we are going to talk about magic words and how to say them. The magic words of good manners are: Please, Thank You, May I, Excuse Me, etc. Having good manners isn’t just about using the right words. It is about saying them in the right way. More important than what you say is how you say it.

When I was a kid and my mom called my name, I could tell if she was mad or not. If she said (insert your name) using a happy voice, was she in a good mood or a bad mood? If she said (insert your name) using an angry voice, was she in a good mood or a bad mood?

What made it sound different is what we call “tonality.” It has to do with how we use our voice to change the meaning of a word.

Let’s try saying Please, Thank you, and Excuse Me, in these different ways:

1. Like you are mad
2. Like you are teasing
3. Like you are afraid
4. Like you are polite and friendly

Which one sounds better?

Which way would you like someone to talk to you?

Remember to always use the right tonality using the magic words.