5 Ways to Use Letter Writing in the Classroom
Writing letters and cards is a great way for students to get in writing practice in an engaging, “real life” way. Students are more motivated when they know their writing has a purpose, rather than just being an assignment. Writing letters and cards can also be a social emotional learning activity, as students express gratitude and show kindness. Here are five ways you can utilize letter writing in your classroom!
Write a friendly letter to a classmate. This is a great way to encourage students to reach out to students they might not know or be friendly with. If you’re worried about some students receiving letters and not others, you can randomly assign who each student will write to.
Write a letter of gratitude to a staff member. Gratitude is good for students’ wellbeing, and it will boost staff morale too! Thanksgiving is a particularly great time for this, and I have some festive letter and card templates here.
Write to senior citizens living in a nursing home or assisted living. This is such a fun and easy way for students to do a good deed.
Write cards and letters to a student or family at your school going through a difficult time, such as an illness or accident. Of course, make sure the recipient is comfortable with this.
Write to penpals living around the country or even the world. Teacher instagram is a great way to connect with other teachers who might like penpals for their class. This is such a memorable experience for students!
Loose leaf or construction paper work just fine, but if you’re looking to jazz things up a bit and get students engaged, try my Holiday & Seasonal Letters & Cards Bundle. It includes lots of different options, such as primary and standard lines, and fun illustrations for students to color in.
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