Lesson Plan 1
Alignment Chart
Unit: Expository and Procedural Writing
Lesson: Letter Writing
List objectives. Use a brief description of formative Assessment the activity students will complete to meet the
objective.
Objective/TEK*
Example:
Students will write a lesson plan
incorporating techniques and
information learned in class
Assessment
Lesson plan will be completed
and turned in
Activity
Mini lecture on lesson planning,
class activity analyzing lesson
plans
write a letter to the President of
the United States thanking him
for a specific job he does as
president in at least five
sentences
Letter will be completed and
turned in
Question session on what the
president does every day and
mini lecture on how to write a
letter
Letter will be completed and
turned in
mini lecture on how to write a
letter
write a response to a letter from
the student’s grandma that
answers her questions and adds
details of their lives into the
letter.
*Objective should be broken down into student-friendly terms and describe what will be accomplished in this
lesson only.
Lesson Plan 1
Date: September 30, 2010
Unit Title/Lesson Title: Expository and Procedural Writing/Letter
Writing
Lesson Method: Direct Teacher
Course: Elementary – Language Arts
Subject: English Language/ Language Arts
Grade: 3rd Grade
Teacher Name: Cassandra Stockall
Objectives: Students will be able to:
1) write a letter to the President of the United States thanking him for a specific job he does as president in
at least five sentences
2) write a response to a letter from the student’s grandma that answers her questions and adds details of
their lives into the letter.
TEKS: §110.14 English Language Arts and Reading, Grade 3
20 (B) write letters whose language is tailored to the audience and purpose (e.g. thank you note to a friend)
and that use appropriate conventions (e.g. date, salutation, closing); and
(C) write responses to literary or expository texts that demonstrate an understanding of the text
Instructional Aids, Materials, or Tools Needed:





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Handout/Activity: Dear Mr. President*
o Dear mr. president. (2006, February 10). TIME for Kids, 11(18), Retrieved from
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/class/pdfs/2006S/060210
Handout/Activity: Response to Grandma*
Pencils
Lined Paper
White Board
Dry erase marker
*See Appendix A
Essential Question/Big Ideas:
Lesson Question: Why do people write letters?
Course Question: Why do people read and write?
Lesson Outline:
1. Hook: ask students what the president’s job is and write their responses on the white board (3 -5
minutes)
2. Show students the writing conventions and outline for writing a letter by outlining a letter on the
Lesson Plan 1
3.
4.
5.
6.
white board drawing a rectangle (representing the sheet of paper) and then writing a salutation,
beginning of introduction and conclusion sentences and closing signature. (Use the Dear Mr.
President letter handout as a model for the format of a letter) (5 minutes)
Explain that students are going to be writing a letter to the president, telling him what the student
thinks he should accomplish while President, and that they are then going to respond to their
grandmother’s letter. (2 minutes)
Pass out the handout of Dear Mr. President and Grandma’s letter as well as lined paper for students
to write their response.. (1 minute)
Allow students time to write their letters. (15-20 minutes)
Pick up worksheets to grade and explain homework assignment of writing a short thank you letter
for a birthday present from their friend of 5 sentences. (1 minute)
Formative Assessment: Handout/Activity of Dear Mr. President and Response to Grandma.
Additional Activity Outside of Class: Students will write a 5 sentence thank you letter to their friend for a
birthday present they received.
Differentiation:


ELL students will be asked to write less sentences, about 3, for their Dear Mr. President letter and,
depending on their knowledge of the United States and the president, may be given an actual topic
to write about such as talking to the leader of another country, passing laws, etc.
Gifted students may be asked to write more sentences and more details to what they think the
president should do.
Lesson Plan 1
Appendix A
DEAR MR. PRESIDENT
Write a letter to President Obama. Tell him what you think he should be
doing as President. Use the directions below to help you plan and write your
letter.
(Your school’s name)_________________________
(Your school address)_________________________
__________________________
__________________________
(Today’s date)__________________________
_________________________, (Greeting)
Introduction: Describe who you are and why you are writing this letter.
___________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Paragraph: Describe one thing you think Barack Obama does as President and
why it is important
___________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Conclusion: Thank the president for reading your letter.
___________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Closing: _______________________
Name: _______________________
Lesson Plan 1
Grandma’s Letter
Dear Grandbaby,
How are you, sweetheart? I hope all is well in
Texas. Your grandfather and I are very happy in
Florida and are enjoying our new retirement
community. We have met a lot of nice people, such
as Mr. and Mrs. Smith who live in the apartment next
to us. We enjoy playing golf with the Smiths and taking
walks to the nearest shopping mall. It is very nice in Florida.
How would you like to come visit us soon? We miss you very much.
Your mother told me you started 3rd grade. Your grandfather and I
are so proud of you! I hope you like your new class and are making
many new friends. Do you like your teacher? I bet they are very nice and
helpful. I know you will learn a lot this year.
Are you involved in anything this year? I hope
you are playing a sport or playing music.
I remember when I was your age and I played
volleyball. I made a lot of very nice friends
and learned a lot from it. I hope you are having
a good year and continue to do very well in school!
I hope to hear from you soon. Be sure to tell me how your family is
doing and what you like about school this year!
Take care dear,
Lesson Plan 1
Grandma.