#082: Why Teaching Letter Writing is Still Important
Do you remember the last time you got a real piece of mail? Not the junk mail that fills up the mailbox (not to mention the shredder), but real someone-put-a-stamp-on-an-envelope mail. Do you remember how exciting that is? Even if it's a birthday card, it means someone took the time to remember you. Letter writing isn't a lost art. Think about how important a well-crafted email is (there's another place that junks up quickly). Teaching students to communicate through writing is a timeless skill.
Today, I have some tips and resources to teach your students the art of letter writing.
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Don't limit your students to just letter writing! They can practice writing cards, postcards, or party invitations. No, the recipients don't have to be real (my students love writing letters to my dog!) and that's a great opportunity to connect with book characters.
Resources mentioned:
- The Post Office Book by Gail Gibbons
- The Jolly Postman or Other People's Letters by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
- Stringbean's Trip to the Shining Sea by Jen Williams and Vera Williams
- Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin
Listen in to the full episode to find out:
- The many, many, MANY opportunities students have to write letters
- What mentor texts are great examples for letter writing
- Why teaching students letter writing matters
- Who is a great author to write to so you get a letter back
- How to give your students real audiences for their letters
Listen to this episode for all the goodness [and don't forget to grab the free Letter Writing Mentor Text List].
I can't wait for you to get started!
H.O.P.E. Education RESOURCES you're going to L♥️VE:
Grab the freebie: Letter Writing Mentor Text List
Check out the FREEBIEs Vault here and grab the Valentine's Day Mentor Text List [with Pop-up Card Template] while you're there. Here's a video tutorial for the Valentine's Day card.
Want more? You got it! ⬇️
Valentine's Day Literacy Activities
Parent Email Template SystemJOIN OUR Teach Joyfully Podcast Community TO GROW WITH LIKE-MINDED TEACHERS:
The Teach Joyfully Podcast Community Facebook Group
Send me a DM on Instagram– I love chatting with my people, so please send me all of your teacher [organization/literacy/time management/classroom management] questions.
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Ready for more? You're a teacher after my heart ♥️! LISTEN to these Teach Joyfully Podcast episodes next!
#034: 11 Ways to Use a Mentor Text to Teach Reading and Writing
#044: Simple Ways to Improve Your Students' Writing
#058: How to Make Transitions in the Classroom Easier
#059: 5 Ways to Sabotage Your Students' Independence
#071: 5 Key Elements That Impact Reading Comprehension
#077: How to Teach Listening Skills in Elementary Grades
#078: Reading Skills vs. Reading Strategies - What’s the Difference?
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