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English lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 30 minutes

Formal or informal language?

Vocabulary

CCSS L.5.3.BCCSS L.4.3.CEngland: Y6 GPS (formal and informal vocabulary and structures)England: Y5/6 Writing (register)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Formal or informal language?.

  • 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: Synonyms or antonyms? Word pairs

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

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 (Synonyms or antonyms? Word pairs). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Are these words synonyms or antonyms? generous / selfish (synonyms (similar meaning) / antonyms (opposite meaning)) → antonyms (opposite meaning)Prompt: Put each word in the same sentence. Does the meaning stay the same or flip?
  2. Which word or phrase is a SYNONYM of "cautious"? (careless / reckless / careful / hasty) → carefulPrompt: Think of a sentence with the word in it.
  3. Are these words synonyms or antonyms? tiny / minute (synonyms (similar meaning) / antonyms (opposite meaning)) → synonyms (similar meaning)Prompt: Put each word in the same sentence. Does the meaning stay the same or flip?

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 or informal language?. 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: Is this sentence formal or informal? Please ensure that all mobile phones are switched off.
  • Step 1: Formal language suits official writing; informal language suits friends and family.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: formal
  • Answer: formal
  • 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. Is this sentence formal or informal? Gonna grab a snack, back in a sec. (formal / informal) → informalPrompt: Would you say this to a friend, or write it in a letter to a head teacher?
  2. Which is the most FORMAL way to say "buy"? (grab / snap up / purchase / pick up) → purchasePrompt: Formal words are often longer and come from Latin or French.

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 sentence is best for a letter to a head teacher or principal? (Science museum trip, yes or no? / Hiya! Can we go to the science museum? / So, like, the science museum would be cool. / I am writing to ask whether our class could visit the science museum.) → I am writing to ask whether our class could visit the science museum.Prompt: A letter to a head teacher needs a formal, polite tone.
  2. Which is the most FORMAL way to say "check"? (eyeball / have a look at / examine / give it a once-over) → examinePrompt: Formal words are often longer and come from Latin or French.

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: Synonyms or antonyms? Word pairs.
  • 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

  • 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-5.

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

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Formal or informal language?

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Is this sentence formal or informal? Pupils are required to wear a helmet.

    • A. formal
    • B. informal

  2. Question 2

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

    • A. tip off
    • B. fill in
    • C. let know
    • D. inform

  3. Question 3

    Which sentence is best for a letter to a head teacher or principal?

    • A. Can't you just leave the field open?
    • B. Keep the field open at lunch, yeah?
    • C. We would appreciate it if the field could stay open at lunchtime.
    • D. Field open at lunch pls.

  4. Question 4

    Is this sentence formal or informal? Please ensure that all mobile phones are switched off.

    • A. formal
    • B. informal

  5. Question 5

    Which is the most FORMAL way to say "put off"?

    • A. hold off
    • B. postpone
    • C. bump
    • D. push back

  6. Question 6

    Is this sentence formal or informal? The museum will be closed for repairs until further notice.

    • A. formal
    • B. informal

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Answer key: Formal or informal language?

  1. 1. A. formal

  2. 2. D. inform

  3. 3. C. We would appreciate it if the field could stay open at lunchtime.

  4. 4. A. formal

  5. 5. B. postpone

  6. 6. A. formal