Step 3: Introduce Pen Pals Add the word pen pal to the word list on the board. Say the definitions of the key words (don’t write the definitions because it isn’t the best use of class time for students to copy them). Letter: a paper someone writes to you and then sends to you in an envelope. Mail: send a letter to someone Pen Pal: a person you write letters to; you’ve never met this person Tell students that today we’re going to learn how to write letters to pen pals. Teacher Directions: Activity 2: Introducing the Pen Pal Project Step 1: Prep Make one teacher reference copy of Sample Letter #1, one teacher reference copy of Fill in the Blanks Answer Key and copies for the class of Fill in the Blanks Letter #1. If possible, get a class set of highlighters. Step 2: Read Out Loud Read Sample Letter #1 out loud as the class listens. Step 3: Fill in the Blanks Provide students with copies of Fill in the Blanks Letter #1. Read Sample Letter #1 aloud at a slightly slower than normal rate and students listen and fill in the blanks. Then read the letter a second time for students to fill in any answers they missed. Read one more time at a normal rate for students to check their answers. Use a projector to show students Fill in the Blanks Answer Key and allow students time to correct their own answers. Step 4: Check for Understanding Leave the Answer Key on the projector. Tell students that you want to find five important things to remember in the letter. Demonstrate students how to highlight one important item by highlighting “invited to be part of a Pen Pal project over the next few months.” Ask students what else they need to remember from the letter and highlight that item. Give students highlighters and they highlight three more important things to remember. As the finish highlighting, they can compare their answers with partners. Call on a couple students to share their answers. Teacher Directions: Activity 3: Reasons for Writing to Pen Pals Step 1: Students Think
Step 3: Introduce Pen Pals Add the word pen pal to the word list on the board. Say the definitions of the key words (don’t write the definitions because it isn’t the best use of class time for students to copy them). Letter: a paper someone writes to you and then sends to you in an envelope. Mail: send a letter to someone Pen Pal: a person you write letters to; you’ve never met this person Tell students that today we’re going to learn how to write letters to pen pals. Teacher Directions: Activity 2: Introducing the Pen Pal Project Step 1: Prep Make one teacher reference copy of Sample Letter #1, one teacher reference copy of Fill in the Blanks Answer Key and copies for the class of Fill in the Blanks Letter #1. If possible, get a class set of highlighters. Step 2: Read Out Loud Read Sample Letter #1 out loud as the class listens. Step 3: Fill in the Blanks Provide students with copies of Fill in the Blanks Letter #1. Read Sample Letter #1 aloud at a slightly slower than normal rate and students listen and fill in the blanks. Then read the letter a second time for students to fill in any answers they missed. Read one more time at a normal rate for students to check their answers. Use a projector to show students Fill in the Blanks Answer Key and allow students time to correct their own answers. Step 4: Check for Understanding Leave the Answer Key on the projector. Tell students that you want to find five important things to remember in the letter. Demonstrate students how to highlight one important item by highlighting “invited to be part of a Pen Pal project over the next few months.” Ask students what else they need to remember from the letter and highlight that item. Give students highlighters and they highlight three more important things to remember. As the finish highlighting, they can compare their answers with partners. Call on a couple students to share their answers. Teacher Directions: Activity 3: Reasons for Writing to Pen Pals Step 1: Students Think