Guided Formal Letter: Letter to Headteacher and Local Government Chairman Primary 5 (Basic 5) First Term Week 5 English Studies

GUIDED FORMAL LETTER: LETTER TO HEADTEACHER AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRPERSON PRIMARY 5 (BASIC 5) FIRST TERM WEEK 5 ENGLISH STUDIES

ENGLISH STUDIES

FIRST TERM

WEEK 5

PRIMARY 5 (BASIC 5) 

THEME – WRITING 

TOPIC – LETTER TO HEADTEACHER/LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMAN 

LEARNING AREA

1. Introduction

2. Writing Formal Letter

3. Practice Exercise

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

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

1. explain the meaning of a formal letter.

2. identify the parts of a formal letter.

3. write a formal letter using the correct format.

4. state the purpose of writing a formal letter.

5. write letters to the headteacher and local government chairperson.

ENTRY BEHAVIOUR

The pupils already know how to write simple letters. This lesson helps them learn the correct format and language used in formal letters.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

The teacher will teach the lesson with the aid of:

1. Samples of formal letters.

2. Whiteboard and marker/chalkboard and chalk.

3. English Language textbook.

4. Chart showing the format of a formal letter.

5. Pupils’ notebooks and writing materials.

METHOD OF TEACHING

Choose a suitable and appropriate methods for the lessons.

Note – Irrespective of choosing methods of teaching, always introduce an activities that will arouse pupil’s interest or lead them to the lessons. 

REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. Scheme of Work

2. 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum

3. Course Book

4. All Relevant Material

5. Online Information

CONTENT OF THE LESSON

INTRODUCTION

A formal letter is a type of letter written to people in authority, offices, schools, government organizations, or institutions. It is used for official communication.

Formal letters are written in a polite and respectful language. They follow a fixed format.

Situations where formal letters are written:

• To the headteacher of a school

• To a local government chairperson

• To a company or organization

• To request or complain about something

Parts of a Formal Letter

• Writer’s address

• Date

• Receiver’s designation and address

• Salutation

• Title

• Body of the letter

• Closing

• Signature

Pupils should learn to follow the correct format when writing formal letters.

FORMAL LETTER TO THE HEADTEACHER

12, Unity Street,

Ikeja, Lagos.

10th May, Y2024.

The Headteacher

Community Primary School,

Ikeja, Lagos.

Dear Sir/Madam,

REQUEST FOR MORE BOOKS IN THE SCHOOL LIBRARY

I am a pupil of Primary Five in this school. I write to request that more books be provided in the school library.

Additional books will help pupils improve their reading skills and acquire more knowledge. It will also encourage regular use of the library.

I shall be grateful if this request is considered.

Yours faithfully,

Amina Bello

FORMAL LETTER TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRPERSON

15, Peace Avenue,

Ikeja, Lagos.

10th May, 2025.

The Chairman

Ikeja Local Government,

Ikeja, Lagos.

Dear Sir,

REQUEST FOR REPAIR OF THE ROAD LEADING TO OUR SCHOOL

I am a pupil of Community Primary School. I write to request the repair of the road leading to our school.

The road becomes muddy and difficult to use during the rainy season. Repairing it will make movement easier and safer for pupils and teachers.

I shall be grateful if this request is granted.

Yours faithfully,

Chinedu Adewale

PRACTICE EXERCISE/HOMEWORK/TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Write a formal letter to:

• Your headteacher requesting more desks for your classroom.

OR

• Your local government chairperson requesting a borehole for your community.

PRESENTATION

To deliver the lesson, the teacher adopts the following steps:

1. The teacher introduces the lesson by asking pupils if they have ever written a letter to a person in authority.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils respond to the questions and share their experiences.

2. The teacher explains the meaning of a formal letter and states situations in which it is used.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils listen attentively and participate in the discussion.

3. The teacher presents the format of a formal letter.

Parts of a Formal Letter:

• Writer’s address

• Date

• Receiver’s designation and address

• Salutation

• Title

• Body of the letter

• Closing

• Signature

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils identify and copy the parts of a formal letter.

4. The teacher displays a sample formal letter to the headteacher and points out its various parts.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils read the letter and identify its parts.

5. The teacher explains how to write a formal letter to the headteacher, requesting or giving information.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils listen and ask questions where necessary.

6. The teacher displays a sample formal letter to the local government chairperson and explains its purpose.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils read the letter and discuss its content.

7. The teacher guides pupils in writing formal letters using the correct format and language.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils write letters in their notebooks.

8. The teacher reads some pupils’ letters and corrects errors in format, grammar, and punctuation.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils make corrections and improve their work.

9. The teacher summarizes the lesson by revising the meaning, format, and uses of formal letters.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils participate in the lesson summary and answer oral questions.

CONCLUSION

To conclude the lesson for the week, the teacher revises the entire lesson and links it to the following week’s lesson.

LESSON EVALUATION 

Teacher asks pupils,

1. what is a formal letter?

2. mention five parts of a formal letter.

3. who can receive a formal letter?

4. what closing is commonly used in a formal letter?

5. write a formal letter to your headteacher requesting sports equipment.