Writing a Friendly Letter

Title: Writing a Friendly Letter

Subject: Writing

Summary: This first-grade lesson will introduce students to the concept of writing a friendly letter. They will learn the format, purpose, and key elements of a friendly letter, and practice writing their own letters to a friend or family member.

Learning Outcomes:

• Know the format and purpose of a friendly letter
• Understand the key elements of a friendly letter
• Can write a friendly letter using appropriate language and structure

Methodology:

This lesson will be taught using a combination of direct instruction, visual aids, and hands-on activities. Students will engage in group discussions, watch a short video, and participate in a writing activity.

Resources/Materials:

• Whiteboard or chart paper
• Markers or chalk
• Visual aids (pictures of friendly letters)
• Video on writing a friendly letter
• Writing paper
• Envelopes and stamps (optional)

Instructions:

1. Begin the lesson by asking students if they have ever received a letter in the mail. Discuss the purpose of a letter and why people write them.
2. Show visual aids of friendly letters and point out the different parts (date, greeting, body, closing, signature).
3. Explain the format and purpose of a friendly letter, emphasizing that it is a way to communicate with someone in a personal and thoughtful manner.
4. Watch a short video on writing a friendly letter, pausing to discuss key points and answer any questions.
5. Provide each student with writing paper and ask them to think of a friend or family member they would like to write a letter to.
6. Guide students through the process of writing a friendly letter, reminding them to include the date, greeting, body, closing, and signature.
7. Allow students time to complete their letters, providing support and guidance as needed.
8. Optional: Provide envelopes and stamps for students to address and mail their letters.
9. Wrap up the lesson by having students share their letters with the class or with a partner.

Activities:

• Group discussion on the purpose of letters
• Visual aids of friendly letters
• Video on writing a friendly letter
• Writing a friendly letter to a friend or family member

Assessment:

To assess student learning, observe their participation in group discussions, their ability to identify the key elements of a friendly letter, and their written letters. Use a rubric to evaluate their letters based on the inclusion of all necessary components and the use of appropriate language and structure.

Compliance Standards:

This lesson aligns with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.1: Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or name the book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply a reason for the opinion, and provide some sense of closure.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.2: Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.3: Write narratives in which they recount two or more appropriately sequenced events, include some details regarding what happened, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide some sense of closure.