Writing a Letter to a Friend Composition English Grammar Primary 4 First Term Lesson Notes Week 9

Composition English Grammar Primary 4 First Term Lesson Notes Week 9

Subject: English Grammar
Class: Primary 4
Term: First Term
Week: 9
Age: 9 years
Topic: Composition
Sub-topic: Guided Composition on Writing a Letter to a Friend
Duration: 60 minutes


Behavioural Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

  1. Write a simple letter to a friend.
  2. Use proper greeting and closing phrases in the letter.
  3. Include basic information about themselves and their recent activities.

Keywords: Letter, Greeting, Closing, Address, Signature

Set Induction:
Start by discussing with the students about the different types of letters they know. Ask them if they have ever written a letter and who they wrote it to.

Entry Behaviour:
Students should be familiar with the basic structure of a letter (e.g., greeting, body, closing).

Learning Resources and Materials:

  • Example letter
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Letter writing template

Building Background / Connection to Prior Knowledge:
Students have previously learned about informal communication and how to write simple sentences. This lesson will build on that knowledge to help them structure a letter.

Embedded Core Skills:

  • Writing
  • Organization
  • Expressing ideas clearly

Learning Materials:

  • Sample letter
  • Writing template

Reference Books:

  • Lagos State Scheme of Work

Instructional Materials:

  • Letter writing example
  • Writing paper

Content:

Guided Composition Example:

Dear Tom,

I hope you are doing well. I wanted to tell you about my recent trip to the park. I went with my family last weekend. We had a great time playing games and having a picnic. The weather was perfect, and we enjoyed the sunshine. I hope we can go to the park together soon. How have you been? What’s new with you?

Best wishes,
Jane

Guidelines for Writing a Letter:

  1. Greeting: Begin with “Dear [Friend’s Name],”.
  2. Body: Write a few sentences about what you have been doing or any interesting news.
  3. Closing: End with “Best wishes,” or “Sincerely,” followed by your name.
  4. Signature: Add your name at the end.

Examples:

  1. “Dear John, I am writing to tell you about my new pet dog.”
  2. “I went to the zoo last Saturday and saw many animals.”
  3. “We had a wonderful time at the zoo with lots of fun and games.”
  4. “Please tell me about your weekend too!”
  5. “Hope to see you soon, best wishes, Mary.”

Evaluation:

  1. What is the opening of the letter called?
    a) Body
    b) Greeting
    c) Closing
    d) Signature
  2. Where should you write about your recent activities?
    a) Greeting
    b) Body
    c) Closing
    d) Signature
  3. Which phrase can be used to close a letter?
    a) Dear
    b) Yours truly
    c) What’s up
    d) Hello
  4. How should you sign your name in a letter?
    a) In the body
    b) In the closing
    c) At the top
    d) At the bottom
  5. What should you include in the greeting of a letter?
    a) Dear [Name]
    b) Best wishes
    c) Sincerely
    d) Your Name
  6. The body of the letter contains:
    a) Your name
    b) Date
    c) Information about your activities
    d) Greeting
  7. Where does the signature go in a letter?
    a) At the top
    b) After the body
    c) After the greeting
    d) Before the date
  8. What is the correct way to start a letter?
    a) Yours truly
    b) Dear [Name],
    c) Sincerely
    d) Hello
  9. What should you mention in the body of the letter?
    a) Date
    b) Address
    c) Recent activities
    d) Greeting
  10. Which is NOT a part of a letter’s structure?
    a) Greeting
    b) Body
    c) Conclusion
    d) Closing

Class Activity Discussion:

FAQs with Answers:

  1. Q: What is the purpose of the greeting in a letter?
    A: To address the person you are writing to.
  2. Q: How do you end a letter properly?
    A: Use phrases like “Best wishes,” “Sincerely,” followed by your name.
  3. Q: Can you write about any topic in the body of the letter?
    A: Yes, you can write about your recent activities or any news you want to share.
  4. Q: Where should you put your signature in the letter?
    A: After the body and closing phrases.
  5. Q: What should be included in the body of the letter?
    A: Information about what you have been doing or news you want to share.
  6. Q: How can you make your letter more interesting?
    A: Add details about your activities and ask about the reader’s news.
  7. Q: Why is it important to use the correct closing in a letter?
    A: It shows respect and completes your letter politely.
  8. Q: What is the purpose of the signature at the end of the letter?
    A: To let the reader know who wrote the letter.
  9. Q: How can I make my letter more personal?
    A: Write about specific events and feelings that are meaningful to you.
  10. Q: Should I use formal or informal language in a letter to a friend?
    A: Use informal language, as it is a personal letter.
  11. Q: How do I address the recipient in the letter?
    A: Begin with “Dear [Friend’s Name],”
  12. Q: Can I include drawings or decorations in my letter?
    A: Yes, you can add drawings if you like, but keep the main focus on the writing.
  13. Q: What if I forget the recipient’s name?
    A: Use a general greeting like “Dear Friend,” if you’re unsure of the name.
  14. Q: Can I ask questions in my letter?
    A: Yes, asking questions can make the letter more engaging.
  15. Q: How should I format my letter?
    A: Follow the structure: greeting, body, closing, and signature.

Presentation:

Step 1: The teacher revises the previous topic which was writing about a memorable experience.

Step 2: The teacher introduces the new topic as follows: Writing a letter to a friend, including proper greeting, body, and closing.

Step 3: The teacher allows the pupils to give their own contributions and the teacher corrects the pupils when and where necessary.

Teacher’s Activities:

  • Introduce the topic and give examples.
  • Model writing a letter to a friend.
  • Provide guidance and feedback during writing practice.

Learners’ Activities:

  • Write a letter to a friend using the given guidelines.
  • Share their letters with classmates.

Assessment:

  • Evaluate students’ letters based on correct structure and use of language.

Evaluation Questions:

  1. What is the correct way to start a letter?
    a) Yours truly
    b) Dear [Name],
    c) Hello
    d) Best wishes
  2. What should you include in the closing of the letter?
    a) Your name
    b) Greeting
    c) Address
    d) Date
  3. Where does the body of the letter go?
    a) Before the greeting
    b) After the closing
    c) Between the greeting and closing
    d) After the signature
  4. What is an appropriate way to end a letter?
    a) Yours truly
    b) What’s up
    c) Cheers
    d) Regards
  5. In which part of the letter do you write about your activities?
    a) Greeting
    b) Body
    c) Signature
    d) Address
  6. How do you address the recipient?
    a) Dear [Name],
    b) Sincerely,
    c) Best wishes,
    d) Hello
  7. Where should you write your name?
    a) At the top
    b) In the closing
    c) In the body
    d) At the end
  8. What part of the letter contains the information you want to share?
    a) Greeting
    b) Body
    c) Signature
    d) Address
  9. How do you sign your letter?
    a) With your name
    b) With a date
    c) With a question
    d) With a picture
  10. What is the purpose of the greeting?
    a) To end the letter
    b) To introduce the writer
    c) To start the letter
    d) To provide a closing

Conclusion:
The teacher goes around to mark the letters and provides feedback to ensure students understand how to properly format and write a letter to a friend.

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