A letter from Ireland

Objective & content

This writing sheet teaches pupils to write to a penpal about their school day, their free time and their town (School starts at..., We wear..., because..., I usually..., On Saturdays..., There's... There are...) and to ask questions (Do you wear a uniform? What's your school like?). Pupils read Daniel's letter from Dublin, see how it is built, take its phrases and write their own reply. By the end, they can write a letter of 60 to 80 words with adverbs of frequency, because and there is / there are.

Pedagogical guide

Page 1 has Daniel's letter, with a photo of Daniel and of the river Liffey in Dublin. Daniel is twelve; he walks to school, which starts at nine o'clock and finishes at half past three; he wears a uniform and doesn't like the tie; science is his favourite subject because the teacher is funny, and he has Irish lessons. After school he often plays football, and on Saturdays he always goes to his grandma's. Dublin has a river, lots of bridges and a very big park with deer in it. Pupils answer six questions with three options each. Page 2 shows how the letter is built: pupils match each part (say thank you, your school day, your favourite subject and why, your free time, your town, ask questions, end) to its words. The useful phrases follow in a box, and pupils complete Lena's letter to Daniel with six words from a box. Page 3 is the writing: a plan in notes, the letter (with Dear Daniel, already written and a row of phrases to use) and a checklist. The answer key gives a model reply.

Suggested procedure

1. (5 min) Ask "What time does school start? Do you wear a uniform?" and compare answers.
2. (10 min) Read Daniel's letter aloud; pupils answer the questions.
3. (10 min) Page 2: pupils match the parts of the letter, then read the useful phrases.
4. (5 min) Pupils complete Lena's letter with the words in the box.
5. (20 min) Page 3: pupils plan in notes, write their letter to Daniel and tick the checklist.
6. (5 min) Pupils swap letters and find one thing that is different from their own school.

Adaptations

[S] Pupils write one sentence for each part, using the phrases in the box.

[A] Pupils compare their school with Daniel's (Our school day is longer than yours).

Materials & prerequisites

One copy of pages 1 to 3 per pupil. Page 4 is the answer key, the model reply and the teacher notes: keep it. Pupils need the present simple with do-questions, always / usually / often / sometimes / never, and the words for school, free time and the town. To take it further, pupils swap letters with a partner and write back.