Cambridge English: First for Schools

Lesson Plan: Writing

This lesson plan accompanies Cambridge English: First 1 Writing Test 4 Part 1 Question 1.

This lesson is suitable for students at the beginning or in the middle of their Cambridge English: First
for Schools course. This lesson is suitable for any upper intermediate course in order to practise
writing compositions.

Lesson Goals
1. To give students practise in writing text that is well connected
2. To allow students to share ideas for inclusion in a composition
3. To encourage peer correction and collaboration in class writing
4. To encourage editing of written texts

Activity (see brackets for resources required) Time Interaction

needed
Warmer (Copies of Resource 1 for individuals or for display, optional 5-10 mins
flip chart paper, dictionaries)

Show students the composition question (Resource 1) either on 1 min T-S

the board or as a handout.
Elicit ideas from students about what appropriate style means. 1 min S-T
Elicit what students think should all young people play sports 1 min S-T
and why?
Ask students to brainstorm the first two topics (good for health/ 3 mins T-S then
what do you learn) and write down any words or ideas that they Ss-Ss
could use when they write the essay. This can be completed
either on the board as a class, or on flip chart paper in groups.
Students can use dictionaries, ask you or ask classmates to help
find the right words in English. Check and help them.
Display their ideas and go through, checking that everyone has 2 mins T-S
understood.
Ask students to suggest what other arguments there are for 2 mins S-T
playing sport (e.g. its fun, you could become a professional and
make money, you could compete in other countries, etc.)

Main activity (Resource 1, large sheets of paper, marker pens) 30-35 mins

Organise the students into pairs or threes and give each group a 3 mins T-S then
big sheet of paper and a marker pen. Ask the groups to discuss S-S
how they will start the composition in Resource 1.
Students could feedback a few ideas. 1 mins S-T

Cambridge English: First for Schools 1 Writing Test 4 Lesson Plan

Cambridge University Press and UCLES 2017
 Then, in their pairs/threes, ask students to write their opening 3 mins S-S
sentence(s).
Next, pass the sheets round so that each group has a different 4 mins S-S
sheet. They should read what has been written and try to
continue the text smoothly by deciding what to write for Part 1
(its good for your health). They should discuss and write 2 or 3
sentences.
Pass the sheets again. Ask students to read their new sheet and 4 mins S-S
write Part 2 (what do you learn). They should discuss in their
groups and write 2 or 3 sentences.
Pass the sheets again. Once students have read their new paper, 4 mins S-S
they should add 2 or 3 sentences of their own ideas.
Finally, after the next pass, each group should write a conclusion. 4 mins S-S
On the next pass students must read the whole text and discuss 4 mins S-S
if it connects well. Check they understand what connectors are
(firstly, because, therefore, also, but, etc.) They can make any
changes necessary to the text (use a different colour).
On the next pass they should look carefully for spelling mistakes 4 mins S-S
and correct any they find.
On the next pass they should find and correct any grammar 4 mins S-S
mistakes.

Extension activity (Resources for poster making) 15 mins

Discuss the process followed during the main activity. How could 5 mins T-S then
students follow these steps when they are writing alone at home S-S
or in a test? Ask students to make a list of the stages they
followed (i.e. analyse the question, brainstorm vocabulary and
ideas, write the text one stage at a time, check that it connects
as well as spelling and grammar).
Students can make posters for the classroom about how to plan 10 mins S
and write a composition which includes useful words and
phrases like connectors.

Cambridge English: First for Schools 1 Writing Test 4 Lesson Plan

Cambridge University Press and UCLES 2017
Resource 1

WRITING
Part 1
You must answer this question. Write your answer in 140190 words in an appropriate
style.

1 In your English class you have been talking about playing different sports. Now your
English teacher has asked you to write an essay for homework.

Write your essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.
Do you think all young people should play a sport?

Notes
Write about:
1. whether it is good for your health
2. what you learn from playing sport
3. .. (your own idea)

Cambridge English: First for Schools 1 Writing Test 4 Lesson Plan

Cambridge University Press and UCLES 2017