Informal Letter Composition English Grammar JSS 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 10
Subject: English Grammar
Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 10
Topic: Composition – Informal Letter
Sub-topic: Writing a Letter to Your Cousin About Your New School
Duration: 40 minutes
Age: 12–13 years
Behavioural Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
- Define an informal letter.
- Identify the key features of an informal letter.
- Write an informal letter to their cousin about their new school.
Keywords:
- Informal letter
- Salutation
- Body of the letter
- Closing remark
Set Induction:
Ask the students if they have ever written a letter to a family member or friend. Discuss how informal letters differ from formal letters.
Entry Behaviour:
Students should have basic knowledge of letter writing formats from previous lessons.
Learning Resources and Materials:
- Example of an informal letter
- Writing materials
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:
Students have discussed the general structure of letters in previous lessons and have learned about formal and informal letters.
Embedded Core Skills:
- Writing skills
- Communication
- Critical thinking
Learning Materials:
- Lagos State Scheme of Work
- English Language Textbooks
Content: Informal Letter Writing
Definition:
An informal letter is a personal letter written to friends, family members, or close acquaintances. It is less formal and more conversational than a formal letter.
Key Features of an Informal Letter:
- Sender’s address: This is written at the top right corner of the letter.
- Date: The date the letter is written, placed just below the sender’s address.
- Salutation: The greeting used, e.g., “Dear Cousin.”
- Body of the letter: This contains the main message.
- Closing remark: The ending, such as “Yours sincerely” or “With love.”
- Signature: The name of the person writing the letter.
Sample Informal Letter: Letter to Your Cousin About Your New School
No. 10, Smith Street,
Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
12th September 2024.
Dear Tolu,
How are you doing? I hope this letter finds you well. I have exciting news to share with you about my new school!
I recently started attending XYZ Secondary School, and I am really enjoying it. The school is big, with many buildings and a large sports field. The teachers are very friendly and helpful, and I have already made new friends. My favorite subject so far is English, and the library here is amazing – it has so many books!
The school also offers a lot of extracurricular activities like drama, football, and music. I joined the school’s music club because I love playing the piano. The environment is also very beautiful, with trees and flowers everywhere, which makes it a nice place to study and relax.
I miss our old school sometimes, but I’m happy to be in my new school, and I can’t wait to tell you more when we see each other. I hope to hear from you soon. How is everything going with you?
Take care and say hi to everyone!
Yours sincerely,
Emeka.
Evaluation: Fill-in-the-Blank Questions (with Options)
- An informal letter is usually written to ______.
a) the principal
b) friends and family
c) a company - The sender’s address is written at the ______ of the letter.
a) bottom left
b) top right
c) middle - The greeting used in an informal letter is called the ______.
a) body
b) signature
c) salutation - The body of an informal letter contains the ______.
a) main message
b) address
c) date - “Dear Cousin” is an example of ______.
a) closing remark
b) salutation
c) signature - Informal letters are usually ______ in tone.
a) formal
b) friendly
c) professional - The closing remark comes ______ the body of the letter.
a) before
b) after
c) in the middle of - A letter’s date is placed just below the ______.
a) body
b) salutation
c) sender’s address - “Yours sincerely” is an example of a ______.
a) signature
b) closing remark
c) date - The signature of an informal letter is written at the ______ of the letter.
a) top
b) middle
c) bottom
Class Activity Discussion (FAQs)
- What is an informal letter?
- An informal letter is a personal letter written to friends or family members.
- Who can you write an informal letter to?
- You can write it to close friends, family members, or people you know personally.
- Why do we write informal letters?
- To share personal news, keep in touch, or ask for advice.
- What are the key parts of an informal letter?
- The sender’s address, date, salutation, body, closing remark, and signature.
- Is an informal letter formal or casual in tone?
- It is casual and friendly in tone.
- Where is the sender’s address placed?
- At the top right corner of the letter.
- What should the body of the letter contain?
- The main message or reason for writing.
- What is a salutation?
- A greeting at the start of the letter, such as “Dear Cousin.”
- What do we write in the closing remark?
- A friendly way to end the letter, like “Yours sincerely” or “With love.”
- How should you sign off an informal letter?
- By writing your name at the bottom.
Presentation:
Step 1: The teacher revises the previous topic on features of formal letters.
Step 2: The teacher introduces the new topic by explaining informal letters and their features.
Step 3: The teacher asks students to share examples of informal letters they have written before, correcting and guiding them.
Teacher’s Activities:
- Explain the structure of informal letters.
- Guide students in writing a letter to their cousin about their new school.
Learners’ Activities:
- Participate in discussions about informal letter writing.
- Write their own letter following the sample.
Evaluation Questions:
- What is an informal letter?
- Who do we write informal letters to?
- What should the salutation in an informal letter look like?
- How is the closing remark different from the signature?
- What are some examples of closing remarks?
- Where is the sender’s address written in an informal letter?
- How is an informal letter different from a formal letter?
- Why is the tone of an informal letter friendly?
- What do we write in the body of the letter?
- Name the key features of an informal letter.
Conclusion:
The teacher goes around to check the students’ letters, marking and providing feedback on their structure and content.
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