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English lesson plan · 7th grade (Year 8 in England) · 30 minutes

Formal and informal vocabulary

Vocabulary

CCSS L.7.3CCSS W.7.1.DEngland: Y6 GPS (formal and informal vocabulary)England: KS2 SATs GPSEngland: GCSE English Language Paper 2

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Formal and informal vocabulary.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Choosing precise words

Leads to: Formal register and tone

Materials: Word cards, A thesaurus or dictionary, A short text with the target words, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Choosing precise words). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Choose the most precise word for the gap. The clue in brackets gives the general meaning. The detective noticed a ___ difference between the two signatures. (very small) (obvious / massive / loud / subtle) → subtlePrompt: Several words could fit loosely. Which fits exactly?
  2. Choose the most precise word for the gap. The clue in brackets gives the general meaning. Her ___ argument persuaded the whole committee. (convincing) (weak / compelling / short / confusing) → compellingPrompt: Several words could fit loosely. Which fits exactly?
  3. Choose the most precise word for the gap. The clue in brackets gives the general meaning. The mountain path was ___, with loose rocks and steep drops. (dangerous) (pleasant / treacherous / flat / gentle) → treacherousPrompt: Several words could fit loosely. Which fits exactly?

Hook · 3 min

  • Show an interesting word in a sentence and ask what it might mean from the clues around it.
  • Share the objective: Formal and informal vocabulary. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Which is the most FORMAL way to say "get (as in "get the results")"?
  • Step 1: Formal vocabulary is more precise and avoids slang and contractions.
  • Step 2: The formal choice would suit an essay or official letter.
  • Step 3: So the answer is: obtain
  • Answer: obtain
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Which is the most FORMAL way to say "ask for"? (request / holler for / ask about / hit up) → requestPrompt: Formal words suit official letters, reports and essays.
  2. Which is the most FORMAL way to say "help"? (assist / pitch in / give a hand / chip in) → assistPrompt: Formal words suit official letters, reports and essays.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Which is the most FORMAL way to say "kids"? (youngsters / kiddos / children / little ones) → childrenPrompt: Formal words suit official letters, reports and essays.
  2. Which is the most FORMAL way to say "a lot of"? (tons of / loads of / heaps of / a great deal of) → a great deal ofPrompt: Formal words suit official letters, reports and essays.

Watch out for

  • Picking a "bigger" synonym that doesn't fit the meaning.
  • Ignoring the clues in the rest of the sentence.

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Choosing precise words.
  • Use concrete materials: word cards.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Formal register and tone.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-7.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Formal and informal vocabulary

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Which is the most FORMAL way to say "ask for"?

    • A. hit up
    • B. holler for
    • C. request
    • D. ask about

  2. Question 2

    Which is the most FORMAL way to say "get (as in "get the results")"?

    • A. nab
    • B. grab
    • C. snag
    • D. obtain

  3. Question 3

    Which is the most FORMAL way to say "help"?

    • A. assist
    • B. chip in
    • C. pitch in
    • D. give a hand

  4. Question 4

    Which is the most FORMAL way to say "buy"?

    • A. pick up
    • B. snap up
    • C. purchase
    • D. grab

  5. Question 5

    Which is the most FORMAL way to say "need"?

    • A. require
    • B. could do with
    • C. gotta have
    • D. wanna

  6. Question 6

    Which is the most FORMAL way to say "start"?

    • A. commence
    • B. crack on
    • C. get going
    • D. kick off

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Answer key: Formal and informal vocabulary

  1. 1. C. request

  2. 2. D. obtain

  3. 3. A. assist

  4. 4. C. purchase

  5. 5. A. require

  6. 6. A. commence