WEDNESDAY - SEPTEMBER 27, 2017

Letters to T.A. Pals

SOLs
2.12 The student will write stories, letters, and simple explanations.
a) Generate ideas before writing.
b) Organize writing to include a beginning, middle, and end for narrative and
expository writing.
c) Expand writing to include descriptive detail.
d) Revise writing for clarity.
2.13 The student will edit writing for correct grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and
spelling.
a) Recognize and use complete sentences.
b) Use and punctuate declarative, interrogative, and exclamatory sentences.
c) Capitalize all proper nouns and the word I.
d) Use singular and plural nouns and pronouns.
e) Use apostrophes in contractions and possessives.
f) Use contractions and singular possessives.
g) Use knowledge of simple abbreviations.
h) Use correct spelling for commonly used sight words, including compound
words and regular plurals.
i) Use commas in the salutation and closing of a letter.
j) Use verbs and adjectives correctly in sentences.

Preparation/Introduction/Implementation
On Thursday of last week, students began the program T.A. Pals, where students from a
leadership class at Turner Ashby high school came to visit and do an activity with both
Mr. Knights and Mrs. Cales classes.
Each student was paired with one T.A. Pal based on common interests, hobbies,
or personality and decorated a white t-shirt with them
In lieu of this event, students will be writing a letter to the T.A. Pal they were partnered
with
Explain to students aspects of writing a letter
Write who the letter is to
Write who the letter is from
Begin letter with Dear .
End letter with Sincerely .
As usual, show an example projected on the smartboard
The letter students write can be about anything they want to say to their T.A. Pal
Saying thank you for coming
Saying that they had a lot of fun
Talking about what they remember about their pal
Talking about what they remember doing during the activity
Saying that they are excited for them to come back again
As usual write ideas and spellings down and project onto the smartboard
WEDNESDAY - SEPTEMBER 27, 2017

Explain to students that these letters will be sent to their pals, so they need to write in
their neatest handwriting and write everything correctly so that their pal can read and
understand their letter
When students are finished writing they need to have their letter checked by either
myself or Mr. Knight
After letters have been checked, they can color and decorate their letters
If students finish before others, they can work on any make-up work they have at their
desks or read quietly