Creating Friendly Letters

Adam Pyles

Objectives: Sixth Grade

Competency Goal 6: The learner will apply conventions of grammar and language usage.

6.01 Demonstrate an understanding of conventional written and spoken expression by:

• using a variety of sentence types correctly, punctuating them properly, and avoiding fragments and run-ons.
• using appropriate subject-verb agreement and verb tense that are appropriate for the meaning of the sentence.
• demonstrating the different roles of the parts of speech in sentence construction.
• using pronouns correctly, including clear antecedents and correct case.
• using phrases and clauses correctly (e.g., prepositional phrases, appositives, dependent and independent clauses).

Time Needed:� Approximately 25-45

Purpose:� With the widespread usage of the Internet and email, people are writing to each other more now than they have in years.� However, even though we are writing now more than ever, studies have shown that our writing skills have taken a downturn in quality.� This is an attempt to raise the standards by which our students communicate with the world and each other.�� By showing them the proper format for a friendly letter, we as teachers are ensuring that good writing does not become extinct due to the Internet.

Materials Required:� Paper and writing utensils for the students.� The teacher needs to have copies of the friendly letter guide and description, enough so that every student can have a copy.� The teacher may also need a blackboard or overhead to write on for demonstrations.

Script:� �Can anyone tell me some ways that people communicate with each other?� (Wait for the answer of letters) �That�s right.� Letters are a very important part of the way we communicate with each other.� With the invention of the Internet and email, people are writing to each other now more than ever.� That is why the topic of today�s mini lesson is very important.� We are writing so much to friends and family that we are forgetting how to write a proper friendly letter.� This is an important skill to have.� When we send a letter that is written in the proper format, whether it be to friends, family, or maybe for a formal reason, it reflects well of us, as an educated person.

����������� �This is the proper format for a friendly letter.�� (Hand out format or show on an overhead.� It would be best to do both). � To begin with we have the heading��At this point go over the attached handout.� It is very easy to understand, with explanations beside each category).

����������� �The assignment for you, the student, is to write a friendly letter to anyone you wish.� The only rule is that it must be in the proper format for which you have the template. It can be to anybody and concern anything you want.� Just make sure it is the proper format!�