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A great end / beginning of the year lesson involving Writing Letters to next year’s students at the end of the year
4, 5, 6, 7
Title – Friendly letters giving advice on getthing thru the year
By – Loretta Nash
Primary Subject – Language Arts
Secondary Subjects –
Grade Level – 4-7
Concept / Topic To Teach: Creative thinking, end of year fun, letter-writing
Standards Addressed: friendly letter writing; grammar and spelling; caps and punctuation; summarize year of school
General Goal(s): Have some fun; creatively evaluate the year; write friendly letters to “inform” next year’s students of things to “watch out for.”
Specific Objectives: Write a friendly letter of three to five paragraphs to next year’s students, advising them regarding staff, classes, homework, hall and class behavior; lockers, etc. (all students must sign name to letter and all “information” must be ok’d by teacher mentioned so everything is funny and good-natured).
Required Materials: paper and writing utensils. Some years, I have the time to have students type them out on Alphasmarts or on computers, which is especially fun and “formal” looking. I then laminate them and pass them around at various intervals the following years.
Anticipatory Set (Lead-In): Students must write a letter giving next year’s 8th (etc.) grade students on this team advice. Students can give inside information on teachers, grades, the scoop on homework, expected hall behavior and possible consequences, etc. Nothing you say can hurt anyone’s feelings, and must in fact be OK’d by them. Try to make everything funny or really helpful.
1. Students write the letters.
2. Teacher proofs the letters for content.
3. Students can type letters whenever possible.
4. Teacher can laminate whenever possible.
5. Letters are shared with the end of this year’s classes for a laugh, and with next year’s students next year, for some good solid advice on how to get through the eighth grade if they land on “this” team.
Plan For Independent Practice:
Closure (Reflect Anticipatory Set): Read aloud
Assessment Based On Objectives: Did you write the letter in correct form?
Did the letter offer advice for next year’s students to get through the 8th grade?
Adaptations (For Students With Learning Disabilities): Letters can be typed or tape recorded
Extensions (For Gifted Students): Write a letter specific to each subject teacher
Possible Connections To Other Subjects:
E-Mail Loretta Nash !