Jessica: Second Grade: Letter Writing

By: Jessica Herrmann

Mentor Text Selection: Dear Mr. Blueberry by Simon James

Writing Skill: Students will examine this mentor text and use it as an example for writing their own friendly letters to their teacher. Students will learn that they can use mentor texts to develop their own writing pieces.

Connection to Six Traits: The book will provide examples that reflect the six traits of letter writing.

Mentor Text Summary:

Dear Mr. Blueberry is a book about a girl named Emily who decides to write her teacher, Mr. Blueberry, letters over summer vacation. She explains to her teacher that she has discovered a whale in her pond and needs information about whales. Mr. Blueberry writes back explaining that the creature cannot be a whale because whales live in salt water. This is a book that takes children on an adventure through letter writing and teaches them about whales in the process.

Purpose for Mentor Text Selection: This book is interesting, creative, and full of imagination. This book serves as a great example of letter writing as Emily and Mr. Blueberry write letters to one another. It will inspire students to write their own letters while also learning about whales. Students will see that the letters contain the various parts of a friendly letter such as: greeting, body, closing, etc.

Simon James

Lesson Plan:

***Please note it is important that students are exposed to the book first for enjoyment before being asked to study the text. The teacher must find an opportunity prior to or at the beginning of the lesson to read the book to students so that they can enjoy it. Then it can be used as a reread for students to examine how letter writing was used.

1. The lesson will begin with a discussion of letter writing. There will be a discussion of the parts of a friendly letter. Students will share their thinking and the teacher will use this discussion to assess the students’ understanding and background knowledge of letter writing. In addition, the teacher will guide students to adjust their thinking if necessary.

2. Next, the teacher will explain the idea of using an author’s work as an example for writing. Also, the teacher will explain to students that they will be examining Dear Mr. Blueberry to see examples of a writing piece that contains letter writing. The teacher will explain to the students that they will be writing letters to him/her (their teacher) after reading the story. Explaining this will help students know why they are studying this mentor text.

3. The teacher will read the story to the students. (As noted above, this should be a reread of the story). The teacher will stop every two pages and students will share what they are noticing about the letters in the book. The teacher will record the students’ ideas on chart paper. At the end of the story, there will be a discussion of the way the author wrote the letters in the book and what parts every friendly letter should include. The teacher might even teach the students a song to help them remember the parts of a friendly letter.

4. The assignment will be explained to students. Students will be asked to write a letter to their teacher asking a question about something they wanted to know more about. The letter must contain all parts of a friendly letter and must have at least four sentences. Also, the letter must reflect the ideas that the students brainstormed on the chart paper. The students will also be informed that they will be receiving a response from their teacher which will make the experience more authentic and fun for students. The teacher will walk around to monitor and provide assistance to students as they write their letters.

Possible Lesson Extensions:

-This can continue as a pen pal project between the students and their teacher.

-Students can research whales further and write a summary of their findings.

Second Grade Ohio Academic Content Standards, Benchmarks, and Indicators for Writing:

Writing Processes Standard

Benchmark:

B. Develop audience and purpose for self-selected and assigned writing tasks.

Indicator:

3. Develop a purpose and audience for writing.

Writing Applications Standard

Benchmark:

C. Write friendly letters and invitations complete with date, salutation, body closing and signature.

Indicator:

3. Write letters or invitations that include relevant information and follow letter format (e.g. date, proper salutation, body, closing, and signature).

Links to Additional Information:

Friendly Letter Song

Information about Dear Mr. Blueberry

Information about Simon James and a Podcast of an interview with him

Whale Information