Writing Personal Letters

Literacy Objective: Students will be able to write a personal letter.

Computer Objective: Students will be able to type a personal letter using the correct format.

Materials: Word processing program

Level:
Intermediate-Advanced

Introduction:
Before students begin this lesson they should have some experience writing and typing short personal letters. As an introduction, have students write and type a letter inviting a friend, Connie, to a party at their home.

Procedure:
After students have written and typed their invitation, present them with the following personal letter from Connie. Ask them to write a response to this letter indicating what happened when they looked for the missing items.

Dear ________________,

Thank you so much for inviting me to your wonderful party last weekend. I had the time of my life. I couldn’t believe what happened there! The food was wonderful, and most unusual. I have never tasted roasted walrus before, and the Alaskan moose ears were out of this world.

I was hoping you could look around and see if you could find some things for me. I believe I left a few things behind. If you find a set of teeth, reindeer antlers and a snake, they all belong to me. I think I left the teeth in a glass in the kitchen cupboard. (I was laughing so hard that I was afraid I might swallow them.) Your dog was wearing the reindeer antlers the last time I saw him. Now my snake is another story. I never leave home without him, as he terrifies my mother. So he was in my coat pocket for most of the evening, but after the party I couldn’t find him anywhere! You could try looking in the bathtub, as he really likes to curl up behind the shower curtain. Another place he likes to hide is under the kitchen sink. I may have also left a pair of orange and pink striped socks by your pool.

Once again, thank you for inviting me. I hope you didn’t have too much trouble cleaning up after the party was over. I really didn’t mean to tip over your china cabinet when we were dancing. I am going to go to garage sales every weekend until I find a replacement for your rare antique tea pot that your great-grandmother left you in her will. Wasn’t it amazing the way it shattered into a million pieces? If you find my things, please call me and I will come over to get them.