Write a Teacher-Appreciation Letter

Subjects

Arts & Humanities
--Language Arts

Grade

3-5
6-8
9-12

Brief Description

Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week by having students write a letter to one of their former teachers.

Objectives

Students

reflect on the important role of teachers.
reflect on a past teacher who made a permanent impression.
write a letter of appreciation to that teacher.

Keywords

Teacher Appreciation Week, letter writing, letters, friendly letter

Materials Needed

writing supplies

Lesson Plan

Your students likely know that the first full week of May is Teacher Appreciation Week. Why not capitalize on this "teachable moment" by having students write a letter of appreciation to a teacher they had in years past? The "gift" of their writing about a special memory won't cost much (just the cost of a stamp if the letter needs to be mailed) and the letter that a student sends will likely be a treasured memento and even an inspiration -- a reminder to that teacher of why he or she entered the profession in the first place.

Start the lesson by asking students to share a memorable moment from a previous teacher. What did you learn from that teacher? Is there a positive moment that stood out? A lesson that stood out as special? Something that teacher did that was extra kind or interesting or funny? If a few students will share ideas, that will help get the other students' "juices" flowing�

Once students have an idea about the teacher they would like to write to, they should compose a friendly letter that shares special greetings for Teacher Appreciation Week and a few "random thoughts of kindness."

Assessment

This assignment probably should not be graded, but you might share a friendly letter rubric to guide students as they write. You might use this rubric or this one as a guide to creating a rubric of your own.

Lesson Plan Source

EducationWorld.com

Submitted By

Gary Hopkins

National Standards

LANGUAGE ARTS: English
GRADES K - 12
NL-ENG.K-12.4 Communication Skills
NL-ENG.K-12.12 Applying Language Skills

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04/28/2006