Real Writing Year 5 - Unit 25
Dear Parents… by Jon Mayhew
Curriculum links: English, PSHE
Writing unit overview
This writing unit for Year 5 is built around an original model text by Jon Mayhew - an example formal letter from an imagined headteacher, setting out new school rules. The example text is available as a PDF in three versions (plain, illustrated and annotated); annotated and non-annotated PowerPoint presentations are also included.
In this two-week unit, pupils will read the model text (formal letter KS2) and learn how to structure and write a formal letter, selecting appropriate vocabulary and structuring it correctly. Eventually, they will come up with their own set of rules for a school or another organisation and present these as a formal letter to parents.
Key curriculum skills
two fully-resourced lessons are included for the following Year 6 English objectives, which can form part of the unit or be taught discretely:
1. Vocabulary: To select appropriate vocabulary to create a formal tone
Pupils will: revisit synonyms; decide which of two synonyms is the more formal; complete a synonym matching activity; write formal and informal sentences using synonyms.
2. Grammar: To use modal verbs or adverbs to indicate possibility
Pupils will: learn that modal verbs indicate possibility, including when used as negatives; learn that adverbs can also indicate possibility; identify modal verbs and adverbs of possibility in sentences; write a set of rules using modal verbs and adverbs of possibility.
Additional objectives to teach or revisit
From previous year groups:
- Using paragraphs to organise ideas
- Identifying conjunctions
- using fronted adverbials
Additional year 5 curriculum teaching points
- to use modal verbs and adverbs to indicate possibility
- to select appropriate vocabulary (using synonyms)
- identifying the correct register when writing
- précising (summarising) texts
Year 5 vocabulary
Year 5/6 statutory spelling words: definite(ly), appreciate
Tier two words: conjunction, maximum, devise, tolerate, seek, direct, forbidden, indicate, acceptable, minimum, discipline, adhere, dignity, encounter, resolve, permission, consequences, orderly, reinforce, minimum, interact
What is a formal letter?
A formal letter is a type of writing used in professional situations. Examples might include a job application, letter of complaint, a letter to a customer or to parents.
Formal letters should be written using a formal tone. The use of Standard English and formal vocabulary is needed.