Page 23 - Letter to My Father Curriculums_Neat2

Reading/Writing
Letter to My Father Workbook for High School Level Students

Requirement: Ask students to read workbook silently in the classroom, then use one of the
“Letter Starters" in the back of the workbook to write an opening line for their
letter. Encourage student to share if they can, but do not push if they cannot.

Purpose: To help students understand the purpose of the letter writing project and begin to
think about what they want or need to say when they begin to write.

Teacher, Guidance Counselor, and Peer Feedback

Creating an open line for teacher and peer feedback will probably feel awkward and somewhat
invasive but it is extremely important that this project is not filed neatly away after the student
letters are written. Teachers should initiate conversation about the actual “writing process”,
and how students feel about their overall results. Even if students are not willing to share to or
open up, just the attempt has opened the door to a new relationship with your classroom.
Pre-Discussion
Some thoughts and questions to be used as a class discussion –

• Think of what you want to accomplish with your letter. Is this a letter of gratitude?
• Who are you writing to, yourself or your father?
• Are you hurt or angry?
• Do you want to thank your father?
• What do you want your reader to know after reading your letter? It is okay if you have a

“laundry list” of topics in your letter, however you must be able to explain how each
item on their list has affected/impacted your life.
Post-Discussion
Creating an open line for teacher and peer feedback will probably feel awkward and somewhat
invasive but it is extremely important that this project is not filed neatly away after the student
letters are written. Teachers should initiate conversation about the actual “writing process” and
how students feel about their overall results. Even if students are not willing to share to or open
up, just the attempt has opened the door to a new relationship with your classroom.

Idea: Ask students how they felt writing their letters. Was it hard to write? Were they able

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