08 Writing Friendly Letters

Page
38
from
Write One Student Handbook

Start-Up Activity

Read and discuss pages 38–39. As you read the sample letter and envelope, point out the parts of each one. Also refer to page 132 for another letter, which highlights the proper use of commas. Have students share letter-writing experiences.

As a shared writing activity, compose a friendly letter to someone who has a connection with your students. Send the letter and share the reply. Then have students write a letter to someone special that they know.

Extension Activity: Plan a field trip to a local post office so students can learn how letters are mailed. Have students mail their letters.

Think About It

“Writing a letter to someone is like giving the person a special gift.”

State Standards Covered in This Chapter

LAFS Covered in This Chapter

LAFS.1.W.2.5

38-39

LAFS.1.W.2.6

38-39

LAFS.1.W.3.7

38-39

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

110.3.b.11.C

38-39

110.3.b.11.E

38-39

110.3.b.13

38-39

Page 38-39 from Write One Student Handbook

Lesson Plan

Bring a letter you have received and share it with the class. Ask the children if they would like to share examples of friendly letters they have received. Discuss why friendly letters are fun to receive.
Read the first page and talk about the difference between friendly notes and friendly letters. Then ask the children to look at the envelope on the second page. Explain the importance of arrangement of information on an envelope.

Classroom Applications

Large Group

Read and discuss the model letter. Talk about the joke in the letter and have children guess the answer. (Of course, any answer is acceptable!) Then point out the parts of a friendly letter. A large copy of this letter displayed on a chart or board may be a helpful reference for students as they write their own letters.
Have students practice writing friendly letters and addressing envelopes using "Writing Friendly Letters" on pages 66-67 of the Write One SkillsBook.

Pairs

Place children in pairs. Ask them to talk about who they would like to send letters to. (They should each have a person in mind.) Have them also talk about two or three things they could write about. Then they can help each other fill in “Planning My Letter.”

Individual

Using their planning sheets, ask students to write rough-draft letters using “Friendly Letter.” Remind them to complete all five parts of the letter. When they are finished, check with them to be sure their letters make sense. Then help them correct errors in spelling and punctuation. (They can do this with you or with a capable partner.) Finally, have them write a final copy on stationery of their choice.

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