Epistolary+Lessons

Epistolary lessons (or “Fun with Letters”)

What it is:

Simply put, writing letters to your students or asking them to write letters. Do you ever just feel like writing your students a letter? Modeling this form of communication is actually a great way to support students by giving directions in “direct address.” Asking students to write letters themselves is an even better way to give them some practice working in this medium. The majority of our daily communication is in e-mail or text format. Second person writing makes up a large majority of this. But how much practice do students really get with it?

Appropriate Times to Use Letters:

• You want to address the whole class, but you want to maintain an atmosphere of quiet and you don’t want to keep repeating directions. • You want to give students the opportunity to practice second person writing. • You want to give students an authentic audience. • You want to get student input but you want them to feel more “formal” giving it. • You want students to reflect in a more formal medium. • You want students to persuade an audience to do something. • You want students to defend their learning. Less Appropriate Times to Use Letters:

• You don’t have a lot of time that day. • You are more focused on teaching a non-writing skill. • You want students to write informally or to free-associate. • You don’t want students to write in the second person. • You want students to do a more “active” reflection. • You would rather have a verbal discussion. • You would rather give more direct instruction.