September 12th, 2016

Dear 6th graders,

This year, you and I will be writing letters to each other about books, reading, authors, and writing. Our letters will give us a chance to share our thoughts and feelings about the books you are reading.

You will be writing a letter to me to share your thinking about the many books you will be reading this year. Use the format included in the notebook, and be sure to include the title in your letter. It is important that your letters are neat and easy to read so that your thoughts can be easily understood. When you think you have finished, use the proofreading list included in this notebook to check your letter and make sure it is just the way you want it.

I look forward to reading about your thinking and having interesting conversations with you about books this year. Remember to always do your best! Have fun and happy reading!!

Anxiously Awaiting Your Letter,

Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Drabek, and Mrs. Parker

Grading Rubric for Letters

Ways I can earn a CHECK PLUS(worth 10 points = 100%)

I include all the parts of a friendly letter as provided in my folder. I include personal reflection (my thoughts) on my book in my letter.

I write with my neatest possible handwriting. I provide enough details that my teacher is convinced I have been reading.

I include the title of the book and underline the title.

Ways I can earn a CHECK(worth 7 points = 70%)

I include some parts of a friendly letter. I include a summary instead of a personal reflection.

I write with handwriting that is readable, but not my best. I provide some details but not enough to fully convince my teacher I have

been reading. I include the title of the book but I didn’t underline it.

Ways I can earn a CHECK MINUS(worth 5 points = 50%)

I did not follow the format for a friendly letter. I did not include a summary of the book or a personal reflection.

I write with handwriting that is difficult to read. I provide little or no details and my teacher knows I haven’t been reading.

I didn’t include the title of the book.

Guidelines for Proofreading Your Letter

1.Reread your letter to be sure it makes sense.2.Be sure you have responded to what the

teacher or a peer wrote to you.3.Check the sample letter format to be sure you

included all the parts especially the date.4.Be sure if you used the title of your book that

you unlined it.5.Check your spelling, capitalization, and

punctuation.

SAMPLE STUDENT LETTER

Hi Mrs. Walker, 11-4-14

I just finished reading Zac & Mia by: A.J. Betts. I absolutely adored it! I like how the author writes, not fake and sugarcoated, but the hard facts. She lets you feel all of the struggles that the characters go through. I also love that she writes in two different people’s point of view, I think that that would be a very hard thing to do.

“They don’t have the odds, but they have each other” This is how Betts starts the book, and it’s so true. Zac & Mia is about two teenagers that have cancer. Through the book you go through two very different lives that are connected through a single wall tapping. Like I said before Betts give the hardcore struggles and sadness of going through cancer, not knowing if you’re going to die when you are 18 or 80.

I would highly suggest reading this book, if you like reading books with struggle and humor this is the right book for you. I have to admit, during most sad books I cry, but with this one Betts adds just enough humor that I promise, you’ll be trying to decide whether to laugh or cry. Well, I hope to hear about the book you are reading right now!

Bye,Rachel   

SAMPLE STUDENT LETTER

Dear Mrs. Walker,   I am currently reading The Giver by Lois Lowry.  I am absolutely obsessed with this book. I love all of the describing words that make this book so much easier to read. The thing I love best about this book is that it makes me really think about and appreciate all the freedoms that I have living here in America.  I think more about this because everyone in this book has almost to no freedom.  Everyone gets assigned a job they don't get to choose it. They also have no freedom of speech.    My favorite part about this book is when the giver gives the first memory to Jonas. The memory is the memory of sledding down a hill that was covered in snow.  The part that makes this so special is that no one in Jonas's area knows what snow is or what a hill is.  This part of course has a lot of amazing describing words because that's what you have to use if you are describing something to someone who doesn't know what any of that is. I also liked it because she didn't make something that I love seem, well, stupid I guess.    If I could change something about this book I would make some parts go a lot faster.  I was kind of bored for a couple of pages because for the ceremony of 12 she said what every kid got instead if making It go faster. I'm not very far into this book because I have been so busy but I'm kind of skeptical about the rest of this book if it was already starting to go kind of slow closer to the beginning.  

Sincerely,Morgan Eiseler

SAMPLE STUDENT LETTER

Dear Mrs. Walker, 11-17-14

I am reading Unbroken by: Paula Morris. I very much enjoy reading this book, right now I am at a part that makes me want to read more and more and more. I think that is because Morris I such a good writer. Describing things just the right amount, using good word choice, and LOTS of cliffhangers which I love. I don’t know if I can describe how good this book is in words, but I can try.

This is probably one of the best books I have read in a LONG time. I can tell that Morris doesn’t only like to write, but she’s good at it too. I can tell that she throws herself into it, which you can only do if you want to. I especially like her writing because she puts you in this world she has created that include magic and ghosts. She makes it seem like are actually there, actually living it.

So, in conclusion I think that you should read this book, it’s a great read. But you have to be prepared, that when you start reading it, you won’t be able to stop. People will have to rip it out of your hands just so you will stop. Well, I can’t to hear about your book!

See you soon,Rachel   

SAMPLE STUDENT LETTER

December 9, 2013Dear Mrs. Walker,

I am still reading Warriors: Dawn. Erin Hunter has intrigued me with just her words. She has tugged at my mind, explaining things in new ways. I’ve never felt so many emotions at one time. And only over a book? It’s as if she has locked me in a cell, and in that cell I’m surrounded by amazing pictures. Pictures she’s left in my mind, and never let me let go of. Pictures of things I’ve never thought of, never IMAGINED!

Erin Hunter is truly a remarkable author. The description and fine details of her words are amazing. They’ve grasped me and held me down, and as I struggle to leave their hold, I can’t. I can’t because I won’t. I won’t put the book down, so I won’t break free.

Erin Hunter is a true example of an author. She’s everything a good author should be and more. So much more! I hope you decide to pick up one of her books, whether it’s Warriors, Seekers, or Survivors books, I highly encourage you to read.Sincerely, Payten