Mini Lesson Plan
Erin Ledaire
100073322
Lesson Rationale: The ability to write a formal letter is one that will benefit students
during their school days but also once they have entered adulthood. Formal letters of
appreciation can be used to express gratitude to former teachers, coaches, potential
employers, war veterans, guest speakers and many others who have put forth a special
effort on another’s behalf. During this lesson students will be taught how to write a
formal letter of appreciation and explore the purposes of such letters. Students will be
introduced to the six parts of a formal letter through the use of PowerPoint slides, as well
as the different formats of formal letters available for use. Templates and exemplars will
be displayed on overhead transparencies as well as distributed to students to use as
references. Along with the teacher, the class will create a sample letter of appreciation to
a fictional former teacher. Through this activity it is expected that students will become
more familiar with formal letter writing and recognize the differences between this type
of letter and the personal letters that most have experience with. It is also expected that
students will begin to recognize other potential uses for the formal letter and more
specifically the formal letter of appreciation. Following the modeling and discussion of
formal letter writing, students will brainstorm and generate ideas and opinions that they
wish to express. They will then write a first draft of a formal letter of appreciation to a
surviving war veteran. Students will be asked to demonstrate their knowledge of the
writing process (pre-writing, organizing and drafting, revising, editing and proofreading,
and publishing) after which the completed letter will be mailed to its intended audience.
Grade Level: Grade 9
Lesson Topic: “Expressing Appreciation for Selfless Acts”
Length of Lesson: 10-15 minutes
Materials/Resources Needed For Lesson:
 Computer (PowerPoint)
 Projection screen
 Overhead projector
 Transparencies
 Chalkboard
 Chalk
 Template handouts
 Exemplar transparency
 Paper
 Pencil or pen
Organizational Approach:
 Teacher explanation and demonstration of PowerPoint visuals.
 Teacher modeling of templates and exemplars.
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Class discussion of the differences between the formal letter and the personal
letter, as well as the differences between the different formats of formal letters.
Class examination of exemplars (Teacher will read the examples. They will also
be displayed on the overhead projector).
Class creation of a sample letter of appreciation on the chalkboard.
Individual writing, revising and sharing.
Step-by-Step Lesson Activities:
 The lesson will begin with the teacher asking students if they have ever written a
formal letter or a letter of appreciation. If students in the class have experience
with this type of writing they will be asked to share what they know with the
class.
 Students will then view the PowerPoint slideshow which explains the different
parts of a formal letter and gives instruction on how to compose a formal letter of
appreciation. The slideshow also discusses the purposes of letters of appreciation.
 Students will be handed out templates of each of the three formal letter formats
discussed. Students will be asked to explain the differences that they notice
between the formal letter and personal letter that one would write to a friend or
family member.
 The different uses of formal letters will also be discussed, as will the different
possible uses for formal letters of appreciation.
 An example of a letter of appreciation will be read to students and displayed on
the overhead projector.
 Together as a class, students will go through the process of writing a formal letter
of appreciation to a fictional former teacher or coach.
 Students will then individually brainstorm and create a draft of a formal letter of
appreciation addressed to a war veteran. This draft will then be revised, edited and
proofread by students themselves and their peers in order to prepare this letter to
be sent to its intended audience.
The Formal Letter: Block Form
Your Name
Address
Phone Number or Fax Number
E-mail Address (optional)
Date
Name of Receiver
Title
Company Name
Address
Dear _________:
Paragraph 1: Introductory text
When writing a letter using block form, no lines are indented.
Paragraph 2: Body Text
Skip lines between paragraphs instead of indenting.
Paragraph 3: Conclusion
Sincerely,
Your signature
Your name (typed)
Your title (if you have one)
The Formal Letter: Indented Form
Your Name
Address
Phone Number or Fax Number
E-mail (optional)
Date
Name of Receiver
Title
Company Address
Dear ______:
When using indented form, each paragraph is indented. Your name,
address, phone number, and the date should be located at the top of the page,
either in the centre, or indented on the right side of the page.
At the end of the paper, include your complimentary closing, and
signature on the right-hand side of the page.
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Name
Your title
The Formal Letter: Simplified Form
Your Name
Address
Phone Number or Fax Number
E-mail (optional)
Date
Name of Receiver
Title
Company Name
Address
SUBJECT LINE (use capitals)
When writing a letter using simplified form, write a subject line instead of a
salutation. The subject line must be in all capitals.
At the end of the letter, write your name and title, all in capitals.
YOUR NAME
YOUR TITLE
Example of a Letter of Appreciation (Block Form)
John Doe
1019 Patterson Avenue
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
B2K 1J3
October 29, 2004
Barbara Jones
Supervisor, Canadian Red Cross
1122 Mountain Road,
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B4L 6W2
Dear Mrs. Jones:
I would like to thank you so much for meeting with my class and answering our questions
about your line of work. I learned many things about your philanthropic organization.
I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to share your knowledge and
experience with me and my class. One of the most important things I learned was how
you send people all over the world to help others after a disaster. There are too many
wonderful things that you do locally and nationally to mention.
I am sure the many people your organization has helped will never forget it. I appreciate
you and your colleagues’ hard work, and it makes me feel better to know that
organizations like your exist should I or anyone I know experience the need for such aid.
Thank you again for your dedication.
Sincerely,
Signature of John Doe
John Doe