Understanding Formal Letters for Effective Communication Structure English Grammar Primary 6 First Term Lesson Notes Week 6

Subject: English Language

Class: Primary 6

Term: First Term

Week: 6

Age: 10-11 years

Topic: Reading: Reading a Formal Letter

Sub-topic: Recognizing Features and Deducing Important Points in a Formal Letter

Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioural Objectives:

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

1. Recognize the features of a formal letter after reading it.
2. Deduce the important points from the letter.
3. Answer any questions about the content of the letter.

Keywords:

• Formal Letter
• Salutation
• Closing
• Subject
• Address

Set Induction:

The teacher will start by asking pupils if they have ever seen or written a letter before. The teacher will then explain the difference between a formal and informal letter, showing examples of each.

Entry Behaviour:

Pupils are familiar with basic writing and reading skills, and some may have seen or written informal letters.

Learning Materials:

• Sample formal letter
• Flashcards with parts of a formal letter
• Worksheets for practice

Instructional Materials:

• Whiteboard and markers
• Printed sample of a formal letter
• Chart showing the structure of a formal letter

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

The teacher will connect the lesson to the pupils’ prior knowledge of writing by comparing informal letters (like those to friends) with formal letters (like those to a principal or company).

Embedded Core Skills:

• Reading comprehension
• Critical thinking
• Communication skills

Reference Books:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Primary 6 English Textbook

Content:

1. Definition and Explanation of a Formal Letter:

• A formal letter is a type of letter written for official purposes, such as to a principal, a company, or a government official.
• Features of a Formal Letter:
  • Sender’s Address: The address of the person writing the letter.
  • Date: The date the letter is written.
  • Recipient’s Address: The address of the person or organization receiving the letter.
  • Salutation: A polite greeting, usually “Dear Sir/Madam.”
  • Subject: A brief heading that tells what the letter is about.
  • Body: The main content of the letter, divided into paragraphs.
  • Closing: A polite way to end the letter, like “Yours sincerely.”
  • Signature: The writer’s name and signature.

2. Examples of Formal Letters:

1. A letter to the principal asking for permission to be absent from school.
2. A letter to a company requesting information about a product.
3. A letter to the local government to complain about a problem in the community.
4. A letter to a teacher asking for clarification on a school project.
5. A letter of application for a scholarship.

Evaluation:

Fill in the blank with the correct answer:

1. The address of the person writing the letter is called the ________ address.
   a) Recipient’s
   b) Sender’s
   c) Principal’s
2. The polite greeting at the beginning of a formal letter is called the ________.
   a) Subject
   b) Salutation
   c) Closing
3. The main content of the letter is found in the ________.
   a) Salutation
   b) Subject
   c) Body
4. The ________ tells what the letter is about.
   a) Body
   b) Subject
   c) Address
5. The date is written below the ________ address.
   a) Recipient’s
   b) Sender’s
   c) School’s
6. The polite way to end a formal letter is called the ________.
   a) Salutation
   b) Closing
   c) Subject
7. A formal letter to a company would start with “Dear ________.”
   a) Friend
   b) Madam/Sir
   c) Teacher
8. The part of the letter where you sign your name is the ________.
   a) Body
   b) Closing
   c) Signature
9. The ________ address is placed at the top right corner of the letter.
   a) Sender’s
   b) Recipient’s
   c) School’s
10. The subject of the letter is usually ________.
    a) A question
    b) A brief heading
    c) A statement
11. The body of the letter should be divided into ________.
    a) Sentences
    b) Paragraphs
    c) Words
12. The phrase “Yours sincerely” is an example of ________.
    a) Salutation
    b) Closing
    c) Signature
13. The ________ of a formal letter explains the purpose of the letter.
    a) Salutation
    b) Subject
    c) Body
14. A formal letter usually ends with the writer’s ________.
    a) Name
    b) Address
    c) Salutation
15. The ________ tells when the letter was written.
    a) Date
    b) Salutation
    c) Subject

Class Activity Discussion:

1. What is a formal letter?
   Answer: A letter written for official purposes.
2. Where is the sender’s address placed in a formal letter?
   Answer: At the top right corner.
3. What is the salutation in a formal letter?
   Answer: A polite greeting like “Dear Sir/Madam.”
4. What is the subject of a formal letter?
   Answer: A brief heading that tells what the letter is about.
5. How do you end a formal letter politely?
   Answer: With a closing like “Yours sincerely.”
6. Where is the date written in a formal letter?
   Answer: Below the sender’s address.
7. What is the main content of the letter called?
   Answer: The body.
8. How should the body of a formal letter be organized?
   Answer: Into paragraphs.
9. Where is the recipient’s address placed?
   Answer: Below the date.
10. What do you include at the end of a formal letter?
    Answer: Your name and signature.
11. Give an example of a subject line in a formal letter.
    Answer: “Request for Permission to Be Absent.”
12. What is the purpose of the subject in a formal letter?
    Answer: To briefly explain what the letter is about.
13. How do you address a formal letter to a company?
    Answer: “Dear Sir/Madam.”
14. What is the difference between the sender’s and recipient’s address?
    Answer: The sender’s address is where the letter is coming from; the recipient’s address is where the letter is going.
15. What should you do before signing a formal letter?
    Answer: Write a closing like “Yours sincerely.”

Presentation:

Step 1: The teacher revises the previous topic, which was “Review of Verb Forms.” Pupils will recall how they used verbs in different tenses.

Step 2: The teacher introduces the new topic by showing a sample formal letter. The teacher points out and explains each feature of the letter.

Step 3: The teacher allows the pupils to give their own examples of formal letters they might write, such as a letter to the principal. The teacher corrects any mistakes and explains further where necessary.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Explain the features of a formal letter with examples.
• Guide pupils through reading and understanding the formal letter.
• Assist pupils in identifying the important points in the letter.

Learners’ Activities:

• Practice recognizing the features of a formal letter.
• Answer questions about the letter’s content.
• Participate in group activities to reinforce understanding.

Assessment:

1. What is the purpose of a formal letter?
2. Where is the salutation placed in a formal letter?
3. Identify the main parts of a formal letter.
4. Why is the subject important in a formal letter?
5. What is the polite way to end a formal letter?

Conclusion:

The teacher goes around to mark the pupils’ work, offering praise and corrections where necessary. The teacher emphasizes the importance of understanding and correctly writing formal letters for communication in various official situations.