Feeling inspired through my readings of Kelly Gallagher's Write Like This, I wanted my 7th graders to have a first writing assignment that was meaningful for them. I thought to myself, "Junior High students always have an opinion! They should know letter format, so we can review. Writing a letter allows them to share their opinions with others." Not such a bad plan, perhaps.
I started the unit introducing the Six Traits of Writing. To help us narrow our topic, I use a mini lesson from The Traits of Writing: the Complete Middle School Guide that demonstrates a specific topic.
After demonstration and practice together, I asked my students to narrow their own topics. I was quickly disheartened. My students had dismal opinions about school and the teachers there. I went home exhausted and near tears because of the negativity.
I didn't know what to do. I want my students to feel as if their opinions matter, but I could not handle the negativity, especially about colleagues and topics that I truly value as important.
After talking with other junior high teachers and fellow English teachers, I created an instruction sheet that narrows the letters down to two topics. I also included a rubric and discussed with students how their work is to be graded.
I shared with my students why I was changing the assignment and we discussed the importance of being positive.
I shared with my students why I was changing the assignment and we discussed the importance of being positive.
You can find this handout here.
My students and I had to brainstorm, again. Practice, practice!
I then used an online resource as a reference for letter format. As a class, we discussed how this is a form of organization. We discussed what other formats we can put information in and decided what reasons a letter format best fit the information we are trying to communicate.
Using demonstration, I created this example letter for my students to read.
For revising, I ask my students to complete a basic peer review. I provide these written instructions , and I also role play with another student prior to assigning partners.
We practice paragraph editing each Thursday, so they are familiar with the editing process.
Students who completed their letters on time also submitted them to the appropriate addressee. Those who wrote to our superintendent received responses back in letters! They were excited by this and pleased that their opinion did matter.
My students and I had to brainstorm, again. Practice, practice!
I then used an online resource as a reference for letter format. As a class, we discussed how this is a form of organization. We discussed what other formats we can put information in and decided what reasons a letter format best fit the information we are trying to communicate.
Using demonstration, I created this example letter for my students to read.
For revising, I ask my students to complete a basic peer review. I provide these written instructions , and I also role play with another student prior to assigning partners.
We practice paragraph editing each Thursday, so they are familiar with the editing process.
Students who completed their letters on time also submitted them to the appropriate addressee. Those who wrote to our superintendent received responses back in letters! They were excited by this and pleased that their opinion did matter.
