WARM-UP: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015

You will need your journal and warm-up card

1. Look at the letter on the right. What do you notice about the different parts and how it is structured?

2. On your warm-up card, write your name/date and number 1 to 5.

3. Next to each number, write the name of the part that is identified. Here is a word bank you can use:

BodyPost ScriptComplimentary CloseAddress and DateSalutation

LETTER CONVENTIONS1. Address and Date: In a

way, a letter is a piece of history. Make sure to include a date and place!

2. Salutation: Wilbur in Charlotte’s Web greeted others by saying, “Salutations!” There are many ways to write a salutation, and they are all about the greeting.

3. Body: Here’s where you tell all your news and say everything you want. As in all of our writing, it’s important to use transitions words and sentence-to-sentence connections to flow your writing.

4. Complimentary Closing: Just like salutations, there are many ways to close your letter.

5. Post Script: Not all letters have these, but these begin with “P.S.”

LETTERS TO A SERVICE MEMBER

Through A Million Thanks, an organization that delivers letters to service members and veterans, we will be writing letters to members of our armed services.

The organization’s goal is to see that our military – active, reserve, and veterans – receive these messages, whether they are serving at home, abroad, or are injured in hospitals.

www.amillionthanks.org

WRITING YOUR SOLDIER LETTER

Letters will need to have proper letter-writing conventions, as well as correct grammar, spelling, punctuation and capitalization.

When writing your letter, keep in mind the work we have been doing this year in ELA. Organize your writing logically, and use transitions and sentence-to-sentence connections to flow your writing.

Remember, even though it’s a letter – and not a formal essay – it’s still a piece of writing and it should engage your reader!

DO: Be creative, positive, and uplifting.

Sign only your first name, or first name/last initial.

Tell the service member a little about yourself (nothing TOO personal!), and ask questions about themselves as well.

Think about the kind of letter YOU would like to receive if you were in a new place, far away from your friends and loved ones.

Draw a picture if you like, but don’t make this the focus of your letter.

Use proper conventions for letters and writing.

DON’T: Give any personal information (such as your last name or address) or ask questions that are too personal or might be hurtful.

Send individual letters. Mr. Duncan and Ms. Cox will send all the letters together in one package.

Expect a reply from your soldier. Although you are welcome to include the school’s address and teacher’s name as a contact person, those on active duty will probably be unable to reply.

YOUR TASK FOR WRITING1. Think of what you would like to say, and plan out

your letter in a graphic organizer if you want to.

2. On a clean sheet of paper, write the date and school address in the top right corner.

North Richland Middle School4800 Rufe Snow Drive

North Richland Hills, TX 76180

3. Write a rough draft if you like, then a clean, polished copy, complete with a salutation and closing. Post Script is optional.

5. Turn in your finished letter at the end of class or by Monday, February 2 at the latest.