Describing My Best Friend: A Personal Touch Composition English Grammar Primary 5 First Term Lesson Notes Week 4

Composition English Grammar Primary 5 First Term Lesson Notes Week 4

Subject: English Composition
Class: Primary 5
Term: First Term
Week: 4
Age: 9-10 years
Topic: Descriptive Writing
Sub-topic: My Favourite Friend
Duration: 60 minutes


Behavioural Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

  1. Identify the characteristics of a descriptive essay.
  2. Describe their favourite friend using vivid adjectives and details.
  3. Write a short essay about their favourite friend.

Keywords

  • Descriptive
  • Favourite
  • Friend
  • Characteristics
  • Adjectives

Set Induction

  • Start by asking the pupils to think about their closest friend and share one thing they like most about that friend.

Entry Behaviour

  • Pupils can describe people and objects using simple sentences.

Learning Resources and Materials

  • Sample descriptive essays
  • Writing materials (paper, pencil)
  • Chart showing adjectives and descriptive phrases

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

  • Pupils have learned about describing objects and people in previous lessons, and this will focus on a more personal and detailed description.

Embedded Core Skills

  • Writing
  • Communication
  • Social Awareness

Learning Materials

  • Adjectives list
  • Descriptive essay examples

Reference Books

  • Lagos State Scheme of Work
  • Primary 5 English Language Textbook

Instructional Materials

  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Printed descriptive essay samples

Content

Features of a Descriptive Essay:

  1. Introduction: Introduce the person you are describing.
  2. Body: Describe the person’s physical appearance, personality, and why they are your favourite friend.
  3. Conclusion: Summarize why you value your friendship with this person.

Example of a Short Descriptive Essay: “My favourite friend is Ada. She has long, curly hair and always has a big smile on her face. Ada is very kind and always helps others. We love to play games together during break time. I like Ada because she is a good listener and always makes me laugh. She is the best friend anyone could have.”

Evaluation

  1. The introduction of a descriptive essay should _______.
    a) describe the setting
    b) introduce the person or object being described
    c) conclude the story
    d) list adjectives
  2. The body of the descriptive essay is where you _______.
    a) describe the person or object in detail
    b) introduce the topic
    c) conclude the story
    d) list events
  3. The conclusion of a descriptive essay should _______.
    a) introduce new characters
    b) summarize the description and feelings
    c) describe the setting
    d) start a new story
  4. A descriptive essay is usually written in _______ tense.
    a) past
    b) present
    c) future
    d) continuous
  5. The word “descriptive” means _______.
    a) storytelling
    b) explaining
    c) describing in detail
    d) listing
  6. Adjectives are used in descriptive writing to _______.
    a) add detail and vividness
    b) confuse the reader
    c) list items
    d) write dialogues
  7. The physical appearance of a person should be described in the _______.
    a) conclusion
    b) body
    c) introduction
    d) title
  8. The emotions of the writer should be expressed in the _______.
    a) body and conclusion
    b) title and introduction
    c) introduction and body
    d) conclusion and title
  9. The main idea of the descriptive essay should be found in the _______.
    a) title
    b) body
    c) introduction
    d) conclusion
  10. A good descriptive essay makes the reader _______.
    a) sleepy
    b) confused
    c) imagine the description clearly
    d) forget the details

Class Activity Discussion

  1. Q: What is a descriptive essay?
    A: A descriptive essay describes a person, object, or place in detail.
  2. Q: What should you include in the introduction of a descriptive essay?
    A: An introduction to the person or object being described.
  3. Q: What should the body of the descriptive essay focus on?
    A: Describing the person or object in detail.
  4. Q: What is the purpose of the conclusion in a descriptive essay?
    A: To summarize the description and the writer’s feelings.
  5. Q: What tense is commonly used in descriptive writing?
    A: Present tense.
  6. Q: What role do adjectives play in descriptive writing?
    A: They add detail and vividness to the description.
  7. Q: How should you describe the physical appearance of a person in a descriptive essay?
    A: In the body, with specific details.
  8. Q: Why is it important to express emotions in a descriptive essay?
    A: To help the reader understand the writer’s feelings and connection to the subject.
  9. Q: What should be the focus of the descriptive essay?
    A: The detailed description of the subject.
  10. Q: How should a descriptive essay make the reader feel?
    A: It should help the reader imagine the description clearly.

Presentation

Step 1: The teacher revises the previous topic, which was “Narrative Writing: My First Day in My New Class.”
Step 2: The teacher introduces the new topic: “Descriptive Writing: My Favourite Friend.”
Step 3: The teacher allows the pupils to describe their favourite friend, focusing on physical appearance, personality, and reasons for their friendship.

Teacher’s Activities

  • Explain the structure and elements of a descriptive essay.
  • Provide examples and guide pupils in writing their descriptions.
  • Encourage pupils to use vivid adjectives and detailed descriptions.

Learners’ Activities

  • Describe their favourite friend to the class.
  • Identify the parts of a descriptive essay in the examples.
  • Write their own descriptive essay about their favourite friend.

Assessment

  • Pupils will write a descriptive essay about their favourite friend and submit it for grading.

Evaluation Questions

  1. What is a descriptive essay?
  2. How should the introduction of a descriptive essay be structured?
  3. What should the body of a descriptive essay focus on?
  4. What is the purpose of the conclusion in a descriptive essay?
  5. In what tense is a descriptive essay usually written?
  6. What role do adjectives play in descriptive writing?
  7. How should you describe the physical appearance of a person in a descriptive essay?
  8. Why is it important to express emotions in a descriptive essay?
  9. What should be the focus of the descriptive essay?
  10. How should a descriptive essay make the reader feel?

Conclusion

  • The teacher will review the pupils’ descriptive essays, provide feedback, and correct any mistakes.

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