Snow day task: Write a letter
My all-time favorite snow day assignment to my children is
to write a letter to an older family member. I typically recommend ideas to
include. However, the more they do this, the better they seem to get at coming
up with things to say. It’s so important
to me that they not only learn how to write a personal letter, but also connect
with family members they don’t see often.
I'll be truthful. There's usually a bit of groaning about this. But I think that's because they simply don't want to be told what to do. Both girls typically tackle the letter early (to "get it out of the way"). I don't quibble with them about when they do it, the paper they use or any of the small things. I don't edit, either. I just look at it to make sure it's written neatly and represents the family well.
In Spanish 2, I teach a unit on running errands (which
includes vocabulary words like “mail” (el
correo), “letter” (la carta), and
“mailbox” (el buzón).
I always conduct an informal survey asking how many students have actually
handwritten a letter. The responses are typical. In my honors classes, about 70%
of the students say they’ve written a letter. In my non-honors classes, about
three students raise their hands. I then go on a mini-rant about the benefits
of writing a letter every now and then:
- You’ll look smart and more mature.
- You’ll improve your writing skills.
And the most compelling to the high schoolers, (at least I
think) …
- You’ll become that favorite niece, nephew or grandkid to an older person who feels left behind by fast-moving technology. They’ll write you back (you’ll get some mail), and they might even sneak a few bucks in their reply letter.
At home, this task doubles as a lesson on how to
properly address an envelope. That may sound ridiculous to my generation and
older. But it’s not. Trust me.
I’ve seen first hand that many high school students are
clueless about what to do with an envelope. Each year, as a member of a faculty
committee, I review applications for the National Honor Society. In the application,
students must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope that will be used to
return their decision letter. Believe me when I tell you … some of the
envelopes look crazy, to say the least: stamps in wrong places, no return
addresses, commas after the spelled-out
state name …
This week I had an opportunity to explain to my little
one the reason for postage stamps (another fact I’d assumed kids just simply
absorbed): nothing is free; mailing a letter costs money.
Today is snow day #4. We’ve written and
mailed one letter each so far this break. Time to pick another relative.
Excellent way to keep a lost art alive! Waiting for my letter.:)
ReplyDeleteSMom
There's one headed your way -- with a shout out to you! ;-)
DeleteI love that you are keeping this tradition alive. When my mom passed, I found stacks of cards and letters from her grandkids. I also sent letters and note cards even though I was only a mile away. She so enjoyed getting letters from her family. To her generation, that was her text.
ReplyDeleteCheryl, that is so encouraging. Thank you. It's a good reminder that I, too, need to write more letters.
Delete