The write start - Jennifer Hallissy 2010
Letter Writing
Guidelines for the Activities
AS A CHILD I felt compelled to write letters about almost anything. When my family was planning a trip to the Grand Canyon, I sent a note to the senator of Arizona telling him to expect my arrival. I wrote to the editor of Time magazine to object to the computer being named “Man of the Year.” And I will never forget my tear-stained letter to the president of the United States that asked, “Why do gerbils have to die?”
When kids have something to say, a letter’s a great way to say it. The beauty of a letter is that it allows them the time to compose their thoughts and get to the heart of the matter in a way that a conversation might not. It can also be saved and reread, which makes it even more special.
Letter writing is also a productive means of self-expression. It helps children channel their ideas and emotions in a positive way. Excitement, disagreement, even sadness can be processed on the page. And when kids receive a response to their letter-writing efforts, it makes it sincerely worthwhile.
MATERIALS
∗ paper, stationery, or letterhead (see the chapter on “The Write Stuff”)
∗ pencil
∗ envelope
∗ stamp
∗ blank labels
∗ Parts of a Letter sheet (see “Parts of a Letter” in the templates section)
HOW-TO
1. First show children letter-writing basics, such as starting letters to friends or family with Dear ____, and ending them with Love, ____. What’s the best way to teach this? Have them watch you write a letter—to them!
2. When you finish writing your letter, don’t give it to them! Instead, keep going with the demo. Put the letter in an envelope and seal it, write their name and address on the envelope, add your name and return address, and put on a stamp.
3. Then take a trip together to the mailbox and send the letter on its way.
4. When they finally get their letter, a few days later, it’s quite likely they’ll be raring to write one of their own. Sit down and write one together!
Variations
For Scribblers: Using blank labels, make stickers with “Dear,” “Love,” the names of friends and family members, and the children’s own names, which they can stick to their various scribbles. They will get a kick out of stuffing the resulting notes in envelopes.
For Spellers: Spellers require only mailing address and return address labels for their envelopes. They can start writing letters on their own.
For Storytellers: Storytellers love to write letters to people real or imagined, whether an out-of-town grandmother or a fairy-tale character.
For Scholars: Scholars are ready to learn the format for the different parts of a letter: heading, greeting, body, closing, and signature (see “Parts of a Letter” in the templates section).