This Real Grammar KS2 resources pack provides everything that you need to successfully explore formal and informal language with pupils in year 6. Teaching slides, worksheets, games and an opportunity to apply the new learning in a writing task are all included to create a complete resource to teach when formal and informal language should be used in speech and writing.
Pupils will need to be familiar with synonyms and how to use a thesaurus to find these. The use of Standard English and passive voice will also be mentioned in the teaching sequence and so it is helpful if pupils are also familiar with these terms. Real Grammar KS2 resources are available on verb inflections (the use of Standard English, covered in Year 4), active and passive verbs and synonyms, to support teaching or revisiting these areas.
What is formal and informal language?
The level of formality needed in speech and writing depends on the purpose and audience for writing
Formal language
Formal language is used in official or formal situations. This includes the use of Standard English and formal vocabulary choices, and may also include the passive voice or the subjunctive form of verbs. Words are written in full (rather than using contractions) and the text is usually written in the third person.
Formal language should be used in the following speech or writing:
- any official letters to schools, employers or someone important
- a presentation of information in a meeting or for school
- in most school work
- usually, when writing to someone you do not know personally
- in published books
Informal language
Informal language is used in situations where you are more familiar with the person you are communicating with, for example a friend or family member. More informal language choices could include the use of contracted words, question tags, less formal vocabulary choices, non-Standard English, exclamation marks to emphasise a point and the use of colloquialisms (words or phrases that are used in everyday conversations such as ‘the kids’ or ‘we are heading to town)’.
Informal language is often used in the following speech or writing:
- speaking with friends, family and other people we know well.
- writing dialogue in narratives
- taking notes
- letters, postcards or emails sent to people we know
- text messages
How can we use vocabulary in formal or informal speech and writing?
The words chosen can indicate the level of formality in speech and writing. Knowledge of synonyms can support pupils to make the appropriate vocabulary choices.
Formal vocabulary Informal vocabulary
discover find out
request ask
enter go in
What is included in this resource pack?
This pack is divided into five parts:
TEACH
This section includes PowerPoint teaching slides and teaching notes with an optional script to introduce formal/informal language choices. It can also be used to revisit this aspect of grammar with pupils.
PRACTISE
An independent activity for pupils to practise using what they have been taught, allowing teachers to assess understanding.
REVISIT
A series of short, 10-minute activities that can be used following the TEACH session to revisit and rehearse what has been taught. These may be short writing tasks, grammar games or editing/proofreading activities.
APPLY
A short writing task where pupils can use the grammar skills taught in context to produce independent writing.
REVISE
Five SATs style test questions, including cloze activities and multiple choice quiz questions, based on the grammar that has been taught.
Teachers can choose which section of the resource pack to use according to their pupils’ needs and could use the activities over a series of lessons or weeks
Teacher notes are provided to show how these quality resources could be used with pupils.
How is this resource differentiated?
The PRACTISE and REVISE sections include three activities differentiated for three levels of ability:
- Worksheet 1 for pupils who may need support. Questions will have a lower cognitive domain (what is being asked of pupils) and/or vocabulary used may be simplified where possible.
- Worksheet 2 for pupils working at age related expectations.
- Worksheet 3 for pupils who may need an additional challenge and may be working at a greater depth in this area. Questions will have a higher cognitive domain with more challenging vocabulary.
SUPPORT and CHALLENGE ideas are also included in the teacher notes of each section where relevant, with ideas of how to support pupils working towards the expected standard or at greater depth in this area.
What pupil-facing resources are included?
- TEACH
PPT slides;model texts ‘Reporting school absence’, ‘Flight delay’ and ‘Mum’; Formal and informal language information sheet
- PRACTISE
Practise 1, Practise 2 and Practise 3 worksheets
- REVISIT
Game 1, game 2
- APPLY
Writing paper, wrting prompt
- REVISE
PPT slides; Revise 1, Revise 2 and Revise 3 worksheets
Answer sheets for all worksheets are provided, where appropriate.