Page 6 - Letter to My Father Curriculums_Neat2

The Letter Writing

The Work pages must be either read together in the classroom or given as a homework
assignment before the students write their letters.

The writing of a letter to their father is the core of this curriculum and the most difficult tasks for
students to accomplish. Students should not be measured on what they have written, but on
accomplishing the goal of writing their letters. The purpose of the letter is to build students’ literary
confidence, while allowing them evaluate how their relationship (or lack of one) with their father has,
does and may possibly affected their decision-making and emotional processing.

Reading/Writing

Letter to My Father Workbook for Elementary Level Students

Requirement: Ask students to read work pages silently in the classroom, then use one of the “Letter
Starters" found in the curriculum to write an opening line for their letter. Encourage
students 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 their letter.

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.

Requirement: Teacher will assign the letter to be written during one class period or as a homework
assignment.

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?
• Are you hurt and/or anger?
• Do you want to thank your father?
• What do you want your reader to know after reading your letter? It is okay if they have a
“laundry list” of topics in their letters, however they must be able to explain how each item on
their list has affected/impacted their life.

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