Pedagogical Component

Planning classroom writting work

Topic Introduction: People often celebrates their birthdays by making pool parties, clowns parties, halloween parties or maybe just a family meal. Watch the four images below and think about what kind of celebration you would like to have on your birthday party. Who would you invite or who wouldn't you invite?

http://goo.gl/gWSkC

http://goo.gl/Zv0OS

http://goo.gl/KyigD

http://goo.gl/DMtyj

Introduction of the task: Now that you have decided what kind of party you would like to have, imagine that your birthday is coming soon and you are planning your party but you still need the invitations. Plan an invitation letter to invite all of your friends and family, it can be formal or informal.  

Brainstorm ideas: Find three classmates to form a small group. The teacher is going to ask all the students to come up with ideas for the invitation letter wich will be written on the board. Take notes with your small group. 

Fast Write: Listen to the following birthday song and write down everything that comes to your mind:

Select and reject ideas: Read the ideas that you have written before and select the ones you will use.

Sort and order ideas: Rank the ideas you have selected in the last point from the most important to the less important one in order to plan the structure of your invitation letter.

Decide on specific requirements: style, information, layout: Your invitation letter can be formal or informal but make sure you use the following phrases and vocabulary:

- I am writting on behalf of...

- The party will take place at...

- I would be very pleased if you could attend.

- It would be great/lovely to meet you...

- On the other hand...

Focus on useful models: Read the following model of invitation letter and pay attention to the organization, grammar and key words used:

Dear Mrs Smith,

    I am writting on behalf of Mr Smith's Year 10 English class. As you know, your husband will soon be celebrating his 40th birthday, and we have decided to throw a party for him. We would be very pleased if you could attend. It would be lovely to meet you and your presence would add to the surprise.

    The party will take place after school on 10th May. It will be held in the school gym and it starts at 5pm. There will be a buffet and the guests will include Year 10 English students, the staff of the English Department and the Headmaster.

    I would like to ask yout advice regarding a suitable gift. We cannot decide whether to buy a book, a watch or a jumper. Perharps you could tell us which you think he would prefer. On the other hand, you may have a better idea. Any suggestions would be more than welcome.

    If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, I look forward to seeing you at the party. 

Yours sincerely,

Maggie Simpson. 

Plan the text: Take notes from the model you have read and start to organize a possible shape for your invitation letter. 

Get feedback: Get in pairs with another classmate in order to get feedback by making helpful comments and suggestions about the letter.

Prepare drafts: Prepare a draft of the letter based on the feedback you have gotten. This will help you to prepare your final text.

Edit: Read the draft and correct what you consider to be wrong. Make sure that you are saying what you really want to say.

Prepare the final text: Finally, write your invitation letter!