From Thought to Paper: Letter Writing - A Grade 5 Lesson Using the SDE Framework

by Domingo Añasco-Gaces Samontina, Jr.

This lesson focuses on developing essential letter-writing skills by identifying and understanding the key components of a letter, including the salutation, body, closing, and signature, with examples for each. Students will differentiate between formal and informal letter styles by highlighting at least three distinctive features of each and providing relevant examples. By the end of the lesson, learners will be equipped with the skills to craft effective letters suited for a variety of personal and professional contexts.

Lesson Title: Letter Writing

Grade/Age/Level: 5

Textbook: English Language Arts

Target Language: English

Vocabulary:

• Formal Letter
• Informal letter
• Salutation

Lesson Goals (1 to 3 SMART goals is a guideline):

1. Identify and label the key parts of a letter, including the salutation, body, closing, and signature, with examples provided for each.
2. Differentiate between formal and informal letter styles by listing at least three distinct features of each and providing one example of each style.
3. Develop letter-writing skills to effectively communicate in various personal and professional contexts.

Materials Needed:

Printed or Digital Resources, Handouts or Worksheets, Audio-Visual Aids, Writing Tools, Reference Materials, Interactive Activities, Assessment Materials

*Step (warm-up/Presentation/Practice/ Production/ wrap-up/Reward)

Letter Writing: (Warm-Up Activity)* 15 minutes

*Actions

Structured Phase (Introduction and Focused Teaching)

Provide foundational knowledge about letter writing and introduce key concepts.

1. Engage Students: Begin by asking students, "What are some ways you communicate with others?" Discuss various forms of communication (e.g., emails, text messages, letters).
2. Teacher Explanation: Explain the importance of letter writing and when it is used. Define formal letters (e.g., business letters, official communication) and informal letters (e.g., letters to friends or family).
3. Interactive Teaching: Show examples of both formal and informal letters. Break down the structure of each:

Parts of a Formal Letter:

• Heading (sender's address, date)
• Salutation (e.g., "Dear Sir/Madam")
• Body (introduction, main content, closing)
• Closing (e.g., "Yours sincerely")
• Signature

Parts of an Informal Letter:

• Date
• Salutation (e.g., "Dear Mom," or "Hi John!")
• Body
• Closing (e.g., "Love," "Your friend")
• Signature

Q&A: Ask questions to assess students' understanding of the differences between the two types of letters.

* Personal modification : Anticipated Problems + Solutions

• Problem: Students may lack prior experience with letter writing or feel unmotivated because they see it as outdated or irrelevant, making it difficult to engage them at the start of the lesson.

Solution: Use a Relatable and Engaging Activity

*Step (warm-up/Presentation/Practice/ Production/ wrap-up/Reward)

Letter Writing: Developmental Phase (Guided Practice)* 25 minutes

*Actions

Enable students to practice letter writing with teacher guidance and support.

Model Letter Writing: The teacher will model writing both a formal and informal letter on the board, thinking aloud to explain decisions for word choice, tone, and structure.

Formal Letter Example: A letter to a principal requesting permission for a school event.

Informal Letter Example: A letter to a friend inviting them to a party.

• Student Practice (Guided): Students are given a template for both a formal and informal letter. They will work in pairs to fill in the necessary details for each type of letter, following the structures shown.

Example Prompt 1 (Formal): Write a letter to the school principal requesting permission to hold a fundraiser.

Example Prompt 2 (Informal): Write a letter to a friend inviting them to your birthday party.

• Teacher Monitoring: Walk around the classroom and provide support, guiding students as they write, ensuring they follow the appropriate structure and tone.

* Personal modification : Anticipated Problems + Solutions

• Problem: Students may struggle to follow the proper structure and conventions of letter writing, particularly in distinguishing between formal and informal styles. They may find it difficult to apply the rules consistently, resulting in confusion or errors in their drafts.

Solution: Provide Clear, Step-by-Step Guidance and Templates.

*Step (warm-up/Presentation/Practice/ Production/ wrap-up/Reward)

Letter Writing: Experiential Phase (Independent Practice and Reflection)* 15 minutes

*Actions

Allow students to independently apply their skills and reflect on their learning.

• Independent Writing: Students will choose one of the following prompts to write their own letter:

Formal: Write a letter to a teacher asking for help with a project.

Informal: Write a letter to a friend about a recent trip or exciting event.

• Peer Review: After writing, students will exchange their letters with a partner for peer review. They will check for proper structure, appropriate tone, and spelling/grammar.

• Reflection: Ask students to reflect on their experience:

1. What did you find easy or difficult about writing a letter?
2. How does writing a formal letter differ from an informal one?

* Personal modification : Anticipated Problems + Solutions

• Problem: Students may struggle with applying the correct tone and structure independently, particularly if they are unsure whether their letter fits the intended style (formal or informal). Additionally, students might find it challenging to reflect meaningfully on their writing due to a lack of self-awareness or guidance on how to assess their work.

Solution: Provide Clear Instructions, Support, and Reflection Prompts

*Step (warm-up/Presentation/Practice/ Production/ wrap-up/Reward)

Letter Writing: Closing (Summary and Wrap-Up)* 5 minutes

*Actions

Reinforce key concepts and check for understanding.

• Review Key Points: Ask students to summarize the main differences between formal and informal letters.
• Ask for Volunteers: Invite students to share their letters or key insights from the lesson.
• Homework/Extension: Assign students to write a letter to a family member or a community leader. Encourage them to decide whether the letter should be formal or informal, based on the recipient.

* Personal modification : Anticipated Problems + Solutions

• Problem: Students may struggle to recall or consolidate key concepts from the lesson, leading to confusion about the letter-writing process or difficulty in articulating what they've learned. Some students might also rush through the wrap-up, missing the chance for deep reflection.

Solution: Use Interactive and Engaging Wrap-Up Techniques

• Summary Activity: Activity: Class Discussion and Key Takeaways
• Wrap-Up Activity: Activity: Exit Ticket or Reflection Journal
• Solution for Reinforcing Learning: Give brief feedback and highlight key takeaway.

Notes & Suggestions (lessons learned from teaching this lesson or things to watch out for)

Assessment:

• Formative: Observe students during guided practice, checking for proper letter structure and tone. Provide immediate feedback.
• Summative: Review the independent letters and peer reviews to assess understanding and skill mastery.

Using SDE teaching materials: Yes / No

This lesson plan follows the SDE framework:

• Structured Phase introduces foundational concepts and definitions.
• Developmental Phase supports students through guided practice.
• Experiential Phase allows for independent application and reflection on learning.