ENG1D1
LETT(er)ING ME KNOW A BIT ABOUT YOU!
Objective:
I’d like to get the chance to know each of you a little better, as we start off our term together. In
order to do so, I’d like you to write a letter to me which provides some interesting details that
you’d like to share about yourself and your experiences.
Procedure:
1. Read over the exemplar letter written from me to you. Brainstorm about what you would
like me to learn about you. What you share with me is your choice, but please ensure that
it is classroom appropriate. By classroom appropriate, I mean that you would feel
comfortable with your parents or a principal reading it.
2. Here are some questions to get you started, but don’t feel limited to them:
a) When were you born? Where?
b) What is your family like? Do you have any brothers and sister? What is your
relationship with them like?
c) Do you have any pets?
d) Have you travelled anywhere? What was your favourite place and why?
e) What is your favourite hobby/sport/activity outside of school? Why do you love it so
much?
f) What was a very significant moment or who has been a very important person in your
life? Why?
g) What kind of films or music do you like? Why does it appeal to you so much?
h) Do you have any hidden talents no one knows about?
i) What is the most important book you’ve read so far in your life?
3. Start writing a draft copy. Make sure to follow the same format as the exemplar and
remember to paragraph properly!
4. Edit and revise your draft copy. Editing means looking for spelling and grammar errors;
revising means making changes to what you are saying or how you are saying it. Make
your changes in pencil or pen on your draft.
5. Type up your good copy. Please add a few pictures in the margins.
Format:
Spacing and font: Single-spaced, Times New Roman font, size 12
Length: 1 full page to 1 ½ full pages
Include: All of your rough work with editing and revision changes (stapled to back).
Evaluation:
Communication (grammar, spelling, sentence flow, diction, rough copy shows revision and
editing changes)
/10
Application (Directions followed, font and spacing, letter format, pictures, neatness)
/10
Due Date: ________________________________________________________________
Tuesday February 3, 2015
Dear
,
Wow! I can’t believe that it’s February 3rd already! My maternity leave sure went by in
a flash. Well, more like a whirlwind of activity for me. Between teething tots and toilet training
two year olds, it was go-go-go all the time! It was a wonderful year, though, and I really valued
the time that I spent with my growing family.
Speaking of family, I am part of a close-knit family of five. I grew up in Burlington with
my parents (retired teachers themselves), my older sister, and my younger brother. My sister is a
busy mother of two: Emma is ten years old, and Madison is seven years old. I live very close to
them, so there’s no shortage of quality aunt-niece time. My brother followed in my footsteps and
became a teacher, too. In fact, he taught here at Nelson until just last year. He’s now husky-ing
it up at Hayden in North Burlington. Needless to say, we have a friendly rivalry going on now.
Growing up, my house was like Noah’s Ark: newts, turtles, gerbils, hamsters, dogs, and
cats paraded into my home two-by-two over the years. I’ve always loved animals so when my
husband and I went to the shelter to pick out a kitten, we came home with two, Acorn and
Nipkin. Then, when we decided to get a dog a few years later, we again came home with two
pups, Patsy and Etta. While having my own furry friends is purrrrr-fect, I also like to visit the
family pets I left behind at my childhood home. Chewie, the cat, should have been named Jabba
the Hutt given her size (did I mention we’re huge Star Wars fans?), while Ghillie, the playful
English Setter pup, is perfectly named. His name is Scottish, which shows that we’re proud of
our heritage. I do love bagpipes and Robert Burns and Braveheart...but don’t ask me to eat
haggis!
When I’m not exploring my Scottish roots, I love to investigate other countries and
cultures around the world. Travelling is one of my passions. I have been to Cuba, Greece,
Turkey, Australia, England, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, France, Kenya, and Egypt. There’s nothing
like living out of a backpack for weeks at a time! You meet such interesting people and get to
appreciate different cultures.
Besides travelling, I’m a fan of music and movies. In terms of music, I played the
piano for thirteen years and the flute for seven years. Learning how to play the violin is on my
bucket list, as is learning how to play the guitar. I listen to everything from Beyonce to Bob
Dylan, but some of my favourite bands are U2, Coldplay, and Mumford and Sons. In terms of
movies...well, let’s just say that blockbusters like The Hobbit and Guardians of the Galaxy lure
me out to Famous Players quite often. I can’t wait to see this year’s big releases: Avengers:
Age of Ultron, Spectre, Jurassic World, and of course Star Wars Episode VII: The Force
Awakens!
So that’s me in a nutshell! I’m very excited to be teaching Grade 9 English again and I’m
confident that it will be a thought-provoking, fun, and successful semester for us all. “May the
Force be with you” during your studies.
Your ENG1D1 Yoda for the semester,
Mrs. Grant