Writing Letter of Absence and Letter of Permission Primary 5 (Basic 5) Second Term Week 6 English Studies

WRITING LETTER OF ABSENCE AND PERMISSION PRIMARY 5 (BASIC 5) SECOND TERM WEEK 6 ENGLISH STUDIES

ENGLISH STUDIES

SECOND TERM

WEEK 6

PRIMARY 5 (BASIC 5) 

THEME – WRITING 

TOPIC – LETTER OF ABSENCE/PERMISSION 

LEARNING AREA

1. Introduction

2. Features of Letter of Absence and Letter of Permission

3. Letter of Absence and Letter of Permission

4. Letter Writing

5. Assessment Test and Answer

6. Summary

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

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

1. Explain the meaning of a letter of absence and permission.

2. State reasons for writing a letter of absence and permission.

3. Identify the parts of a letter of absence and permission.

4. Write a simple letter of absence and permission correctly.

5. Use polite expressions in writing such letters.

ENTRY BEHAVIOUR

The pupils already know the format of formal letters. This lesson helps them write letters requesting permission or explaining absence from school.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

The teacher will teach the lesson with the aid of:

1. Sample letters of absence and permission

2. Whiteboard and marker/chalkboard and chalk

3. English textbook

4. Chart showing letter format

5. Pupils’ notebooks

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 letter of absence and permission is a formal letter written to inform a school or authority that a pupil will be absent and to request permission for the absence.

Features of Letter of Absence and Letter of Permission

• Writer’s address

• Date

• Receiver’s address

• Salutation (Dear Sir/Ma,)

• Title

• Body of the letter

• Complimentary close (Yours faithfully,)

• Signature and name

LETTER OF ABSENCE

A letter of absence is written to inform the school that a pupil was not present in school on a particular day. It also gives the reason for not being in school.

Example:

I was absent from school because I was sick.

LETTER OF PERMISSION

A letter of permission is written to ask for approval before staying away from school or attending an event.

Example:

I request permission to be absent from school for a medical appointment.

IMPORTANCE OF THE LESSON

This lesson helps pupils to:

• write formal letters correctly.

• explain reasons for absence politely.

• request permission in a proper way.

• improve their writing skills.

Both letters are written politely and clearly state the reason for the absence.

No. 12, Unity Street,

Apapa, Lagos.

10th June, 2026.

The Headteacher,

Ladi Lak Primary School,

Apapa, Lagos.

Dear Sir/Ma,

LETTER OF ABSENCE

I write to inform you that I was absent from school on 9th June, 2026 because I was ill and received medical treatment.

I sincerely apologize for my absence and promise to complete all the work I missed.

Thank you for your understanding.

Yours faithfully,

Segun Michael

No. 9, Senabu Street,

Orile, Lagos.

10th June, 2026.

The Headteacher,

Metropolitan Primary School,

Orile, Lagos.

Dear Sir/Ma,

LETTER OF PERMISSION

I write to request permission to be absent from school on 12th June, 2026 because I have a medical appointment.

I promise to make up for all the lessons and assignments I may miss during my absence.

I shall be grateful if my request is granted.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

Oluwakemi Zainab

Note: These examples show the difference: a letter of absence explains an absence that has already occurred, while a letter of permission requests approval before the absence occurs.

ASSESSMENT TEST AND ANSWERS

A. Answer the Questions

1. What is a letter of absence?

2. What is a letter of permission?

3. Mention one reason for writing a letter of absence.

4. Mention one reason for writing a letter of permission.

5. Why do we write these letters?

B. Fill in the Blanks

6. A letter of absence informs the school that a pupil was __________.

7. A letter of permission is written to ask for __________.

8. We write these letters to the __________ or teacher.

9..A letter of absence gives a reason for not being in __________.

10. A letter of permission is written before staying away from __________.

C. Write Sentences

11. Write one sentence for a letter of absence.

12. Write one sentence for a letter of permission.

13. Write a polite opening for either letter.

14. Write a polite closing for either letter.

15. Mention one situation that needs permission.

ANSWERS

1. A letter written to inform the school that a pupil was not in school.

2. A letter written to request approval before staying away from school.

3. Illness (or any valid reason).

4. To attend an event, appointment, etc.

5. To inform and request permission politely.

6. absent

7. permission

8. teacher / school authority

9. school

10. school

11. I was absent from school because I was sick.

12. I request permission to be absent from school.

13. Dear Sir/Ma.

14. Yours faithfully.

15. Medical appointment/travelling/illness.

SUMMARY

Pupils learned how to write a letter of absence and permission using the correct formal letter format and polite expressions.

PRESENTATION

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

1. The teacher introduces the lesson by asking pupils:

• Have you ever missed school before?

• What did you do to inform your teacher?

• How do you ask for permission before staying away from school?

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils respond and share experiences.

2. The teacher explains the meaning of a letter of absence.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils listen attentively and repeat the meaning.

3. The teacher explains the meaning of a letter of permission.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils listen and give examples.

4. The teacher presents a sample letter of absence and reads it aloud.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils listen carefully.

5. The teacher presents a sample letter of permission and reads it aloud.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils listen and compare both letters.

6. The teacher explains the differences between the two letters.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils identify that one informs absence while the other requests permission.

7. The teacher highlights the format of both letters on the board.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils identify address, date, salutation, body, and closing.

8. The teacher guides pupils to write simple examples of both letters in their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils practise writing.

9. The teacher corrects spelling, grammar, and format errors.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils make corrections.

10. The teacher summarizes the lesson by revising both types of letters.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils participate in the summary.

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 letter of absence and permission?

2. Why do pupils write such letters?

3. Mention three parts of the letter.

4. What type of language should be used in the letter?

5. State one reason for being absent from school.