New War Against Whom?

Letter to My Baby

Name: Penelope diMaio
School: Beaufort Middle School
Subjects included in this Lesson Plan: English Language Arts, Writing, Computer Skills

Brief Description: This is a writing lesson that has been modified to incorporate specific computer skills. It is a writing prompt that requires the student to address the problems a middle-schooler encounters and propose possible solutions. This is accomplished by asking the student to imagine their own 13-year-old child and writing a letter to them about the trials of adolescence.

Approximate Time required: Two to three 50-minute classes.

Standard Course of Study Goals and Objectives:

ELA Goal 3.01: Use the problem-solution process by:
utilizing the problem-solution process within various contexts/situations;
constructing essays/presentations that respond to a given problem by proposing a solutions thta includes relevant details.
ELA Goal 6: The learner will apply conventions of application of grammar and language usage.
ComputerTechnology Skills Goal 3.2: Use word processing/desktop publishing for assignments/projects. 

Teacher’s Lesson Goals/Objectives: 

• the student will utilize formatting tools on word processing program to construct letter.
• the student will identify problems encountered by middle-schoolers and propose solutions;
• the student will present problems coherently and describe various solutions to the problems;
• the student will create a letter using the correct constructs, conventions and mechanics;
• the student will utilize Word Process writing skills.

Materials and Resources Needed: 

• Writing prompt (Word doc. attached), 
• How to Set Up Your Letter (AppleWorks doc. attached),
• Editing Checklist (Word doc. attached),
• Spider Web (Word doc. attached)
• Project Rubric (AppleWorks doc. attached)
• AppleWorks and Word program-equipped computers.

Pre-Activities 

1. students should be familiar with computers and have used the word processing program before; 
2. students should be familiar with the constructs of a friendly letter;
3. students should be familiar with the concepts of problem/solution essays.

Activities:

1. Hand out Writing Prompt and Project Rubric and discuss the requirements for assignment;
2. Brainstorm, as a class, problems, hopes, fears, and then advice and solutions;
3. Hand out Spider Web (or other preferred organizer) and have students categorize ideas from board;
4. Have students write first draft freehand or on computer;
5. Have students use Editing Checklist to proofread their first drafts and edit as needed;
6. Have students use Peer Editing and/or Teacher Editing; check Project Rubric before starting final copy;
7. For final copy, students follow directions on How to Set Up Your Letter on the computer; teacher must be available for assistance as needed.
8. Check Project Rubric before handing in.

Closure:

• Read papers aloud in class, eliciting positive feedback, i.e., “I liked the part....”.
• Publish letters in one or more of the following manners: on construction paper and display in hall or classroom, publish on Student
• Accomplishments page of school website (first names only, of course), put in “Time Capsules” and give to students to take home and save.

Assessment: Project Rubric