For our original lesson plan we decided it would be fun and interesting to teach or review with a third grade classroom the process of writing a letter to someone. Below is a link to the lesson plan that we found. Letter Writing Lesson
Who’s Got Mail? Using Literature to Promote Authentic Letter Writing
Grades 3-5
Lesson Plan Type Standard Lesson
Estimated Time Three 50-minute sessions
OVERVIEW
This activity uses literature and shared writing to teach letter-writing
format and promote authentic letter writing. Students listen to and talk
about stories dealing with correspondence before participating in a
collaborative, whole-group letter-writing activity. They go on to write
their own letters to deliver or mail to adult school helpers, family, or
friends. Students often go on to write letters on their own time, which
may generate ongoing correspondence.
Rebecca Powell and Nancy Davidson draw the distinction between
school-based and situated literacy, noting that the former ?distances
students from the literacy event, treating written language as an object
for analysis rather than a medium for genuine communication? while the
latter ?is embedded in real-world events.? (249).
Offering young learners opportunities to communicate for genuine
purposes to real audiences engages them and makes their literacy
learning real and relevant. Powell and Davidson assert that ?[t]apping
into students? ?funds of knowledge? is inherently motivating, and hence
children are more engaged in learning when they perceive an authentic
purpose for their efforts? (254). Learning about the purposes and
conventions of letter writing, then, is made more meaningful and
relevant when done in a manner that bridges school-based literacy
learning with the personal communication needs and interests of the
learners, as outlined in this lesson.
Materials
Writing materials, decorative stationery, envelopes, and postage stamps
Copies of The Gardener by Sarah Stewart
Copies of Dear Mr. Blueberry by Simon James
Chart paper and markers
Sheet of construction paper
A container to hold letters waiting for mailing by the postal service, or an actual mailbox if letters will be distributed within the school only
Grades K – 12 | Student Interactive | Writing & Publishing Prose Letter Generator
The Letter Generator is a useful tool for students to learn the parts of a business or friendly letter and then compose and print letters for both styles of correspondence.
PRINTOUTS
Determine whether students will be writing letters by hand or using the Letter Generator (or a combination of the two). If students will be using the Letter Generator, arrange for access to Internet-connected computers with printers for the appropriate sessions.
Obtain all necessary letter-writing materials.
Obtain copies of The Gardener and Dear Mr. Blueberry.
If students will be using the interactive tool, test the Letter Generator on your computers to familiarize yourself with the tools and ensure that you have the Flash plug-in installed. You can download the plug-in from the technical support page.
STUDENT OBJECTIVES
Students will
discuss the purposes and conventions of letter writing.
learn the names and uses of the components of a friendly letter.
write for real purposes to authentic audiences.
LESSON
Begin the session by telling students they are going to continue their study of letter writing and gather them for a read-aloud of Dear Mr. Blueberry. Discuss the nature and style of ongoing correspondence between Emily and Mr. Blueberry.
Review with students the parts of the letter using the sample from the previous session. Share with them a copy of the Letter Generator to have another model for the product.
Share the Letter Writing Checklist so students can self-evaluate their letters before mailing them.
If students are using computers, have them open the Letter Generator for another review of the parts of a letter. Ask students to move on in the Letter Generator to begin their letters. Inform students that their work cannot be saved in this tool, so they need to print a copy of their work at the end of the session.
If students are writing by hand, ask them to use pencil so they can correct any mistakes in their writing easily.
As students write their letters, have them use the class-made references when necessary.
STUDENT ASSESSMENT/REFLECTIONS
Use the Letter Writing Checklist to evaluate students’ understanding and application of friendly letter format.
For our original lesson plan we decided it would be fun and interesting to teach or review with a third grade classroom the process of writing a letter to someone. Below is a link to the lesson plan that we found.
Letter Writing Lesson
Who’s Got Mail? Using Literature to Promote Authentic Letter Writing
Grades 3-5
Lesson Plan Type Standard Lesson
Estimated Time Three 50-minute sessions
OVERVIEW
This activity uses literature and shared writing to teach letter-writing
format and promote authentic letter writing. Students listen to and talk
about stories dealing with correspondence before participating in a
collaborative, whole-group letter-writing activity. They go on to write
their own letters to deliver or mail to adult school helpers, family, or
friends. Students often go on to write letters on their own time, which
may generate ongoing correspondence.
FEATURED RESOURCES
*Letter Generator
<http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/letter_generator/>*: This
online tool allows students to read about the parts of a letter. They
can then write and print their own friendly or business letter
FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE
Rebecca Powell and Nancy Davidson draw the distinction between
school-based and situated literacy, noting that the former ?distances
students from the literacy event, treating written language as an object
for analysis rather than a medium for genuine communication? while the
latter ?is embedded in real-world events.? (249).
Offering young learners opportunities to communicate for genuine
purposes to real audiences engages them and makes their literacy
learning real and relevant. Powell and Davidson assert that ?[t]apping
into students? ?funds of knowledge? is inherently motivating, and hence
children are more engaged in learning when they perceive an authentic
purpose for their efforts? (254). Learning about the purposes and
conventions of letter writing, then, is made more meaningful and
relevant when done in a manner that bridges school-based literacy
learning with the personal communication needs and interests of the
learners, as outlined in this lesson.
Materials
Grades K – 12 | Student Interactive | Writing & Publishing Prose
Letter Generator
The Letter Generator is a useful tool for students to learn the parts of a business or friendly letter and then compose and print letters for both styles of correspondence.
PRINTOUTS
PREPARATION
STUDENT OBJECTIVES
Students willLESSON
STUDENT ASSESSMENT/REFLECTIONS