Writing a Friendly Letter

WA 2.2 – Write a friendly letter complete with the date, salutation/greeting, body, closing, and

signature.

Day 1 Learning Objective:

Today we are going to identify the parts of a letter and state their purpose.

Activate Prior Knowledge

TPS – Have you ever written to a friend? Tell your partner all about it.

Concept Development

A friendly letter has 5 parts

1. The heading tells the date.

2. The greeting says hello.

3. The body is the friendly message.

4. The closing says goodbye.

5. The signature is the writer’s handwritten note.

Example

Non - example

Last weekend, I went to the UCLA Botanical Gardens with my family. First we took a tour of the gardens. We saw all the different types of plants they have there. Later on, we ate lunch. My mom brought ham sandwiches for everyone. Finally, we fed the fish at the pond. We also got to see the turtles swimming there. I hope we go back soon.

CFU – Which one of these is a friendly letter?

June 1, 2008

Dear Sam,I’m writing to tell you

about my time at camp. On Thursday, I went to Wallabee lake for my first day of summer camp. First, I got to know all the people I would live with. Then, we all went to swim in the lake. Last we made a hat out of newspaper. I’ve had a blast so far!

Love, Angela

Last year, my family visited my grandparent’s house in Florida for the first time. First, we spent time talking and getting to know each other. My grandmother told me I reminded her of my mother when she was a little girl. Later on, we had dinner. My grandmother made a delicious pot roast. Finally, we played games in the living room. I liked playing Monopoly because I won. I wish my grandparents could live closer so we could always have that much fun together.

Importance

• Academic – It is important to know the parts of a letter so that you can write a letter correctly.

Skill Development

Heading – tells the date.

Greeting – says hello. (Dear ________________,)

Body – the friendly message

Closing – says goodbye (Ex. Love, Yours truly)

Signature – the writer’s name

May 13, 2007

Dear Julia,

I’m writing to tell you about my dog. My dog, Felix is my best friend. When I talk to him he always listens. He is always ready to play ball with me and he is a great catcher. He shows me he loves me by licking me. My dog Felix is so special to me.

Your friend,

Matthew

Heading

Closing

Greeting

Body

Signature

Sep. 1, 2001Dear Uncle Pablo,

I’m writing to tell you about my week at camp. I spent a week at Camp Sunrise. On Thursday, I went on a hike with other kids in my cabin. On Friday, we had a big campfire. The best part of camp was meeting Andy. On the last day he promised to write me a letter. I had a great time at camp!

Your nephew,Ramon

Name: ________________________________ Date: ________________

Identify the parts of a letter. ( Heading, greeting, body, closing, signature)

Body The writer’s name

Closing Tells the date

Heading Says hello

Greeting Says goodbye

Signature is the friendly message

Draw a line to match the part of a letter with its purpose.

Day 2 - Learning Objective:

Today we are going to write a friendly letter.

Activate Prior Knowledge

TPS – What are the five parts of a letter?

Heading – tells the date.

Greeting – says hello. (Dear ________________,)

Body – the friendly message

Closing – says goodbye (Ex. Love, Yours truly)

Signature – the writer’s name

Concept Development

In a friendly letter you can share news. You can ask questions. You can even show someone that you care about them.

• Decide on someone who would like to hear from you.

• Share some news.

• Ask questions.

• Show that you care.

• Read and check your letter. Did you sign your name?

Dear _______________,

Purpose – Tells the reason for you writing the letter.

Topic Sentence – Tells who, what, where, and when.

Event 1 Event 2 Event 3

Sequence Word 1 Sequence Word 2 Sequence Word 3

Supporting detail Supporting detail Supporting detail

Conclusion – Tells something you learned, something you hope, or something you wish for.

Your friend,

Date : _____________

____________________________

ExampleJanuary 2, 2009

Dear Wendy,I’m writing to you to tell you about my trip to

Vegas. This new year’s I went to Las Vegas with my family. First we went shopping in the mall. We bought lots of souvenirs. Then we went to have dinner. We ate at a fancy Italian restaurant. Last, we went to a party to countdown to the end of the year. There were so many people there. It was so exciting to spend New Year’s at Vegas this year.

XOXO, Jessica

Non - example

CFU – Which one of these is a friendly letter?

June 1, 2008

Dear Sam,I’m writing to tell you

about my time at camp. On Thursday, I went to Wallabee lake for my first day of summer camp. First, I got to know all the people I would live with. Then, we all went to swim in the lake. Last we made a hat out of newspaper. I’ve had a blast so far!

Love, Angela

Last year, my family visited my grandparent’s house in Florida for the first time. First, we spent time talking and getting to know each other. My grandmother told me I reminded her of my mother when she was a little girl. Later on, we had dinner. My grandmother made a delicious pot roast. Finally, we played games in the living room. I liked playing Monopoly because I won. I wish my grandparents could live closer so we could always have that much fun together.

Importance• Personal – It is important to learn how to write a

letter because then you can:

write to a friend or loved one

write an e-mail

send a thank you card

write a love letter

Skill Development

1. Think about who you want to write to.

2. Think about an interesting story to tell them about.

3. Write down your ideas on a circle map.

4. Organize your ideas on a flee map.

5. Use your flee map to write complete sentences and a complete letter.

Played games lunch

Pool

Trip to Hansem

Dam

Dear Song________,

I’m writing to tell you about my trip to Hansem Dam.

Last summer, I went to Hansem Dam with my family for a day of fun.

Played games lunch pool

In the morning At noon In the afternoon

football Subway sandwich diving board

I had so much fun being with my family!

Your friend,

January 7, 2009

Jose Alvarez

January 7, 2009Dear Song,

I’m writing to tell you about my trip to Hansem Dam. Last summer, I went to Hansem Dam with my family for a day of fun. In the morning we played games. My favorite was when we played football. At noon, we ate lunch. Dad brought us all subway sandwiches. In the afternoon we went to take a dip in the pool. I even got to jump off the diving board and splash into the pool. I had so much fun being with my family.

Your friend,Jose Alvarez

January 7, 2009Dear Song,

I’m writing to tell you about my trip to Hansem Dam. Last summer, I went to Hansem Dam with my family for a day of fun. In the morning we played games. My favorite was when we played football. At noon, we ate lunch. Dad brought us all subway sandwiches. In the afternoon we went to take a dip in the pool. I even got to jump off the diving board and splash into the pool. I had so much fun being with my family.

Your friend,Jose

Alvarez