Grade 4 ELA Unit 15: Formal vs. Informal Language

What It’s About:
Students learn the difference between formal language (used for school and official purposes) and informal or casual language (used with friends and family).

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify examples of formal and informal language.

  2. Choose appropriate language for different audiences.

  3. Practice rewriting informal sentences to be formal.

  4. Use formal language in school writing assignments.

Examples:

  • Informal: “Hey, what’s up?” → Formal: “Hello, how are you?”

  • Informal: “Gonna go to the store.” → Formal: “I am going to the store.”

  • Formal: “I am writing to request more books for our class.”

  • Informal: “Can we get more books?”

Fun Practice Activities
1. Activity Worksheet
2. Test Yourself: Interactive Practice Quiz

Homework Idea:
Write 3 sentences informally (like texting a friend) and then rewrite each sentence in a formal way.