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Letter to My Father Curriculum for Children: Grades 3/4/5

This program uses creative writing and behavior association to encourage positive classroom
performances. Teachers will introduce experiential writing into literary projects to help children
discover how their choices are related to their social experiences. Armed with this knowledge, students
come to understand and associate their negative and positive performances to their lifestyle outside
and inside of school. The curriculum includes projects which cover six skill areas: research, reading,
creative writing, media arts, group dynamics and creative thinking. Not all of these need be incorporated
into the lesson plan, and teachers will have freedom and flexibility in deciding which of these areas are
appropriate for their classrooms and grade levels. The curriculum was written for grades 3/4/5, split into
three segments, and should be completed consecutively (over three or four class periods) in the
following order: Classroom Discussion and Projects; Letter Writing; and Teacher and Peer Feedback.
This project relies heavily on classroom/teacher trust, and at least two classroom projects should be
completed prior to attempting the writing section of the curriculum to establish an effective
environment. It is absolutely necessary for the School Guidance Counselor to be included in the
curriculum. Teachers should work with the guidance counselor to see where they will be most effective
with the curriculum.

Curriculum for Grades 3/4/5

Classroom Discussion

Classroom discussion before actually letter writing is an essential part of this curriculum. Discussions
between the students, their peers, teacher, and guidance counselor will produce genuine written results
based on a measured level of trust and respect. The Guidance Counselor must be included in this first
discussion and the students should be told that they will join the class again for the last feedback
discussion.

Explain to students that they will be writing a letter to their father and discuss the importance and
benefit of the letter:

Questions –

• Do you think the letter was an important form of communication in the past?
• Can you name someone famous for the letters they have written?
• Have you ever received a handwritten letter?
• If so how did it make you feel to receive a letter addressed to you?
• Have you ever written a letter to some one?

3rd Grade –

Required Reading: Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me by Daniel Beaty

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