Independent informal-letter writing with correct features for Primary 4

Class: Primary 4
Term: Third Term
Week: 9
Age: 9 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: English Studies
Curriculum Theme: Writing
Focal competence: Writing informal letters
Skills:

• write informal letters

Previous Lesson: Independent Information Reading and Identifying Main and Supporting Ideas
Topic: Informal Letters: Independent Application
Subject Matter: Independent informal-letter writing with correct features

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify the features of an informal letter.
• State the correct parts of an informal letter.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of informal letters for personal communication.
• Develop a positive attitude towards writing.

Psychomotor Domain

• Write an informal letter independently, observing correct features.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Macmillan Primary English for Primary 4
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Flashcards showing parts of an informal letter
• Course books
• Whiteboard/Blackboard
• Markers/Chalk
• Sample informal letters (on chart or printed)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important because it equips pupils with the practical skill of writing informal letters, which is essential for personal communication with friends and family. Mastering this skill helps pupils express themselves clearly and maintain relationships through written correspondence, fostering effective communication in their daily lives.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have a basic understanding of what a letter is and some experience with simple sentence construction.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Informal Letters: Independent Application

What is an Informal Letter?

An informal letter is a personal letter written to friends, family members, or close acquaintances. It is usually written in a friendly and conversational tone.

Features of an Informal Letter

The main features of an informal letter include:

1. **Personal Purpose:** It is written for personal reasons, such as sharing news, inviting someone, or thanking them.
2. **Friendly Tone:** The language used is casual, friendly, and conversational.
3. **Sender’s Address Only:** Only the sender’s address is written at the top right corner.
4. **Date:** The date is written directly below the sender’s address.
5. **Appropriate Salutation:** A friendly greeting like “Dear [Name]” (e.g., Dear John, Dear Mummy).
6. **Body:** The main message of the letter, written in paragraphs.
7. **Appropriate Closing:** A friendly closing like “Yours lovingly,” “Your friend,” or “Best regards.”
8. **Signature:** The sender’s first name below the closing.

Parts of an Informal Letter in Correct Order

An informal letter has the following parts:

1. **Sender’s Address:** Your own address.
2. **Date:** The day you write the letter.
3. **Salutation (Greeting):** How you greet the person (e.g., Dear Mary).
4. **Body:** The main content of your message, divided into paragraphs.
5. **Closing (Subscription):** How you end the letter (e.g., Your friend).
6. **Signature:** Your name.

Language Conventions to Observe

When writing an informal letter, use:

1. Simple and clear sentences.
2. Conversational and friendly language.
3. Contractions (e.g., I’m, you’re) can be used.
4. Punctuation marks correctly.

Model Informal Letter

12, School Road,
Abuja.
15th May, 2024.

Dear Amina,

How are you and your family? I hope you are all doing well. I am writing to tell you about my holiday. It has been very interesting so far.

Last week, my family and I visited the National Children’s Park and Zoo. We saw many animals like lions, monkeys, and giraffes. My favourite was the elephant. We also had a picnic there. It was so much fun!

I miss playing with you. I hope to see you soon when school resumes. Please greet your parents for me.

Yours lovingly,

Chika

Feature Identification Exercise

Identify the following parts in the model letter above:

1. Sender’s Address
2. Date
3. Salutation
4. Body
5. Closing
6. Signature

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Guided Practice, Individual Practice, Question and Answer

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating prior knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils if they have ever received or written a letter and to whom. The teacher then introduces the topic: Informal Letters.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils share their experiences with letters and listen attentively.

Learning Point: Introduction to letters

Step 2: Explanation of Informal Letters

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Defining

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what an informal letter is, emphasizing that it’s for personal communication with close people. The teacher uses simple examples of when one might write an informal letter (e.g., to a friend, parent).

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and ask questions for clarification.

Learning Point: Meaning of informal letter

Step 3: Discussing Features of Informal Letters

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to discuss the features of an informal letter, such as personal purpose, friendly tone, sender’s address only, date, salutation, body, closing, and signature. Flashcards can be used to illustrate each feature.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify and discuss the features of an informal letter.

Learning Point: Informal letter features

Step 4: Identifying Parts and Order

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Sequencing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses a chart or whiteboard to show the correct order of the parts of an informal letter. The teacher explains each part and its placement.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe and identify the parts of an informal letter in their correct order.

Learning Point: Parts of informal letter

Step 5: Analysing a Model Informal Letter

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Analysis/Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents the model informal letter on the board or a chart. The teacher then leads pupils through the “Feature Identification Exercise” from the Board Summary, asking them to point out each part in the model letter.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils actively participate in identifying the features in the model letter.

Learning Point: Model letter analysis

Step 6: Independent Letter Writing

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided practice/Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher provides a simple prompt for pupils to write their own informal letter (e.g., “Write a letter to your friend telling them about your favourite holiday activity”). The teacher moves around to offer guidance and support.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils independently write an informal letter based on the given prompt, checking for correct features.

Learning Point: Independent letter writing

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is an informal letter?
2. Mention three features of an informal letter.
3. List the parts of an informal letter in order.
4. To whom do we write an informal letter?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Informal letter understanding

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to copy the essential Board Summary notes on informal letters and their features into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarizing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarizes the key points of the lesson, reminding pupils about the importance of writing clear and friendly informal letters for personal communication.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and ask any final questions.

Learning Point: Consolidation of learning

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Write an informal letter to your grandmother, telling her about your favourite subject in school and why you like it. Remember to include all the correct features of an informal letter.

1. Your address and date.
2. A friendly salutation.
3. The body of the letter (at least two paragraphs).
4. A friendly closing.
5. Your name.

Lesson Keywords

• Informal letter – A personal letter written to friends or family.
• Address – The location of the sender.
• Date – The day the letter is written.
• Salutation – The greeting in a letter (e.g., Dear John).
• Body – The main message of the letter.
• Closing – The ending phrase of the letter (e.g., Your friend).
• Signature – The sender’s name at the end of the letter.

Differentiation

For slower learners, the teacher can provide a partially completed informal letter template for them to fill in the missing parts. Faster learners can be encouraged to write a longer letter with more details or to draft a reply to the model letter provided.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, pupils can search on YouTube for: informal letter writing primary school nigeria

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have sample informal letters ready, either on a chart, flashcards, or written clearly on the whiteboard. Begin by engaging pupils in a discussion about personal communication to connect with their prior experiences. Clearly explain the difference between informal letters and other forms of writing. Guide pupils through each part of the informal letter, using the model letter for practical identification. During the independent writing activity, circulate around the classroom to offer individual support and correct common errors such as missing addresses, incorrect salutations, or inappropriate tone. Emphasize that pupils should copy the Board Summary notes after the main teaching and practice activities are completed to ensure they focus on understanding first. Check their understanding frequently through questions and review their written letters carefully to provide constructive feedback.