You will need your journal and paper strip 1. Look at the letter on the right. What do you notice about the different parts and how it is structured? 2. On your paper strip, write your name/date and number 1 to Next to each number, write the name of the part that is identified. Here is a word bank you can use: Body Post Script Complimentary Close Address and Date Salutation

1.Address and Date: In a way, a letter is a piece of history. Make sure to include a date and place! 2.Salutation: Wilbur in Charlotte’s Web greeted others by saying, “Salutations!” There are many ways to write a salutation, and they are all about the greeting. 3.Body: Here’s where you tell all your news and say everything you want. As in all of our writing, it’s important to use transitions words and sentence-to-sentence connections to flow your writing. 4.Complimentary Closing: Just like salutations, there are many ways to close your letter. 5.Post Script: Not all letters have one, but it begins with “P.S.”

Readers of a popular British magazine voted this letter from Johnny Cash to his wife, June Carter Cash, as the greatest love letter of all time. That the Brits favored this letter from an American country singer, over those by English writers and poets, makes it even more special. Cash’s letter was originally written in 1994 on June’s 65th birthday. The pair married in 1968 and remained together for more than 30 years. June died in May Johnny Cash passed away just four months later.

Workplace letters are similar to informal letters, but they do have more parts. 1.Look at the letter to the right. What do you notice about the different parts and how it is structured? 2.Number 1 to 8 on your card. 3.Next to each number, write the name of the part that is identified. Here is a word bank: Signature Body Closing Printed Name Date Inside Address Heading Salutation

It takes a whole team of people to make a school run effectively. Some school employees, like teachers and principals, are visible to students. Others, such as the custodial and the lunch staff, work behind the scenes to ensure our days run smoothly. Your task is to write a formal letter to one of these people, either voicing a concern, making a suggestion, or thanking them for a job well done.

Mr. Ernie Valamides, principal Mrs. Sherry Duncan, cafeteria manager Mr. Rhett Peel, head custodian Mrs. Deana Hoffman, nurse Mr. John McCullough, ISS Ms. Amy Newhouse, counselor Teachers and coaches (any one you choose) Mrs. Maria Johnson, Math Lab Ms. Jill Deramus, Mr. Matthew Cho, Mrs. Chandler Serrano, Mrs. Lorelei Cole, Mrs. Leslie Detrick, Mrs. Rebekah McKnight, Mr. Kelley Arnold, Mr. Greg Little Mrs. Julia Pursley, school librarianMrs. Mary Terry, academic coach Officer Riggins and Officer Walden Ms. Michaela Blackmon & Mrs. Kathryn Humer, assistant principals Mrs. Leesa Rocha and Mrs. Kristen Kenefick, school receptionists Mrs. Lisa Rodriguez, school secretary

Ariana Grande 4800 Rufe Snow Drive North Richland Hills, Texas April 24, 2016 Justin Bieber 4800 Rufe Snow Drive North Richland Hills, Texas Dear Mr. Bieber, I just want to thank you for what has been a very enriching creative writing workshop thus far. I am enjoying learning new skills as well as getting over the shyness of presenting my work in front of a group. I would just like to make a small suggestion regarding class structure. I’ve noticed that we do a lot of collaborative writing in class, which has proven to be a worthwhile venture. However, this does not seem to mimic what our actual writing practices look like. I wonder if we could have more time to write individually during the class in addition to group activities? Many times your prompts are so engaging that I want to write more on my own. Let me know your thoughts. Sincerely yours, Ariana Grande

Ryan Reynolds Mrs. Meinke’s Class 4800 Rufe Snow Drive North Richland Hills, Texas April 24, 2016 Cristiano Ronaldo 4800 Rufe Snow Drive North Richland Hills, Texas Dear Mr. Ronaldo, A few bothersome occurrences regarding our class essays have come to my attention. I wanted to take the time to voice my opinion in a respectful and whole-hearted manner. I have noticed that there seems to be a lack of constructive notes and criticism on returned essays for your class. Without feedback of any kind it is hard to decipher ways to improve our work, especially in such a subjective area as writing. As one of your students I am trying very hard to improve across all aspects of English, and more direct guidance from you would be of great benefit. Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns. I would love to chat more in person. Sincerely yours, Ryan Reynolds

Beyonce Knowles Mrs. Meinke’s Class 4800 Rufe Snow Drive North Richland Hills, Texas April 24, 2016 Adam Sandler North Richland Middle School 4800 Rufe Snow Drive North Richland Hills, Texas Dear Mr. Sandler, I just wanted to take some time to express how much I enjoyed being in your class this year. I can’t think of a teacher who could have made this past year any more special than you did. I will never forget all the fun activities you included in your class to enhance learning. I especially loved how you always related the lessons to real-life examples that would allow the material to make more logical sense to students and always give us something to relate the lessons to. It made it so much easier to recall the material when being tested on it or when we needed it for homework. Thank you for a great school year and for always going the extra mile as a teacher. I appreciate it more than you will ever know. Sincerely yours, Beyonce Knowles

Sincerely, Remember, I believe One example is when you I feel this way because I think Dear ______________,

You will use our school address for both the heading (you may include “Mrs. Meinke’s class”) and the inside address. Here it is: North Richland Middle School 4800 Rufe Snow Drive North Richland Hills, TX If you are ing me a copy of your letter:

Through A Million Thanks, an organization that delivers letters to service members and veterans, we will be writing letters to members of our armed services. The organization’s goal is to see that our military – active, reserve, and veterans – receive these messages, whether they are serving at home, abroad, or are injured in hospitals.

Letters will need to have proper letter- writing conventions, as well as correct grammar, spelling, punctuation and capitalization. When writing your letter, keep in mind the work we have been doing this year in ELA. Organize your writing logically, and use transitions and sentence-to-sentence connections to flow your writing. Remember, even though it’s a letter – and not a formal essay – it’s still a piece of writing and it should engage your reader!

Be creative, positive, and uplifting. Sign only your first name, or first name/last initial. Tell the service member a little about yourself (nothing TOO personal!), and ask questions about themselves as well. Think about the kind of letter YOU would like to receive if you were in a new place, far away from your friends and loved ones. Draw a picture if you like, but don’t make this the focus of your letter. Use proper conventions for letters and writing.

Give any personal information (such as your last name or address) or ask questions that are too personal or might be hurtful. Send individual letters. Mr. Duncan and Ms. Cox will send all the letters together in one package. Expect a reply from your soldier. Although you are welcome to include the school’s address and teacher’s name as a contact person, those on active duty will probably be unable to reply.

1.Think of what you would like to say, and plan out your letter in a graphic organizer if you want to. 2.On a clean sheet of paper, write the date and school address in the top right corner. North Richland Middle School 4800 Rufe Snow Drive North Richland Hills, TX Write a rough draft if you like, then a clean, polished copy, complete with a salutation and closing. Post Script is optional. 5. Turn in your finished letter at the end of class or by Monday, February 2 at the latest.

1.__________________: In a way, a letter is a piece of history. Make sure to include a date and place! 2.__________: Wilbur in Charlotte’s Web greeted others by saying, “Salutations!” There are many ways to write a salutation, and they are all about the greeting. 3._______: Here’s where you tell all your news and say everything you want. As in all of our writing, it’s important to use transitions words and sentence-to-sentence connections to flow your writing. 4.____________ _ ________: Just like salutations, there are many ways to close your letter. 5._______ ________: Not all letters have one, but it begins with “P.S.”

Workplace letters are similar to informal letters, but they do have more parts. 1.Look at the letter to the right. What do you notice about the different parts and how it is structured? 2.Number 1 to 8 on your card. 3.Next to each number, write the name of the part that is identified. Here is a word bank: Signature Body Closing Printed Name Date Inside Address Heading Salutation