To encourage any age student to communicate in writing, I have a small rural mailbox in my classroom in which the children can 'mail' a letter to me. The letters can be about anything, for example: a problem, what they like or don't like about school, a happy note. At the end of the day I check to see if the mailbox flag is up, indicating that I have mail. I answer all mail that night and give each correspondent a special delivery letter the next morning. I usually ask a question in my letter that prompts further writing on the child's part. I also recycle fronts of greeting cards and note cards to respond to children. They love receiving a personal note from their teacher.