Letter to the Editor, Kids-Style

Writing....

If you're a teacher, you can probably relate to the following scenario:

Shoot, it's November and we still haven't done a writing project. I gotta get something on the wall for parent night.

*Googles "interesting writing topics for _____ grade level"* 

*Clicks on first link *.

Ooh, this one comes with an art project. The parents will eat this up.

*Prints 30 something copies and calls it a day*.

While such a method may be easy, that doesn't mean it's effective. And you know that. There's a lot of tips I could give for creating writing units, but today I wanted to share a few ideas about creating writing units directed to authentic audiences.

Why write to an authenic audience?

✎ Increase students' motivation to write 

✎ Watch students produce higher quality writing because students have a reason to write well 

✎ Prepare students for writing in real-life contexts 

✎ Help students see and experience the results of good writing 

Here are some ideas for people your students could write to: 

The School Bosses 

• Write to a principal negotiating a school-wide change, such as an added afternoon recess, a new good behavior program, or a proposal for school announcements 
• Write to a superintendent requesting a district-wide change, such as a change in school schedule
• Write to the state secretary of education about a relevant educational topic.
• Write a daily letter, note, or journal entry to the teacher. This could be a free write or a teacher-curated list of topics designed to collect information that will inform instruction. 

The Guest Speakers 

• Write to a favorite author, celebrity, or other person of interest, asking questions about the songs, movies, or books they've worked on. 
• Write to an expert requesting that they come visit your class for a Q&A. 
• Write to local or state political leader about an issue important to your students OR to invite them to visit as guest speakers.

The Fam 

• Write letters to family members at the beginning and ends of terms to talk about goals, accomplishments, and areas of improvement. Remember to keep it open for students to write to whoever they would like to in their family: every child's family dynamic is different, and saying "write to your mom" will exclude many of your students. Also, consider allowing students to write in the preferred language of their intended audience. 
• Write thank you letters. 
• Write letters to their future selves (bonus points if you keep the letters and deliver them ten years later). 

The Peers 

• Connect with another classroom as pen pals. Consider international options, especially if your class is learning another language. 
• Write to book buddies in lower grades  
• Write letters at the end of the school year to the students of next year. These letters can include advice, favorite memories, etc. Make sure to deliver them on the first day of school to your new students