Mrs. Jennings 4 th Grade Common Core Standard: 4.W.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. A. Produce clear and coherent functional writing (e.g., friendly and formal letters, recipes, experiments, notes/messages, labels, graphs/tables, procedures, invitations, envelopes) in which the development and organization are appropriate to task and purpose.

FFriendly letters convey personal information about ourselves. TThey show caring and concern for friends and relations. TTaking the time to hand-write a letter demonstrates our level of caring for a person.

DDo you hand write a letter? YYes, Friendly letters should be hand written. CCan you write on the back of the page? YYes, you can write on the backs of pages, if necessary.

TThe heading includes the date. WWrite the heading in the upper right-hand corner, about 1” from the top of the page. LLine up the leading edges, STOP at the margin line.

October 12, 2010 Heading

UUsually begins with the word “Dear” and is followed by the person’s name. PPlace a comma after the person’s name. LLeave one blank line after the heading. WWrite the salutation at the left- hand margin.

34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI October 1, 2002 Dear Mr. Zoo Keeper, Salutation Skip one line Skip two lines

TThe thoughts and ideas you want to share. SSkip one line after the salutation, then single space. IIndent each new paragraph. KKeep paragraphs short for easy reading.

34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI October 1, 2002 Dear Jen, Body I had a great time meeting you at the zoo. Thank you for sharing information about the new tiger exhibit. I had no idea how much tiger’s need to sleep everyday. I would like to learn more about tiger’s and how to protect them. I hope to hear from you soon! Skip one line

SSkip one line, indent twice. CCapitalize only the first word. FFollow with a comma CCommon closing words: Love, Sincerely, Your friend, Respectfully, Regards, Yours truly,

34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI October 1, 2002 Dear Jen, How are you doing? It’s been a long time since we talked. I hope you are well. What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of new activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday, actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good show. I’m very excited! School has been going well, too. My new students are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re going to have a fun year. I hope to hear from you soon! 34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI October 1, 2002 Dear Jen, How are you doing? It’s been a long time since we talked. I hope you are well. What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of new activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday, actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good show. I’m very excited! School has been going well, too. My new students are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re going to have a fun year. I hope to hear from you soon! Closing Sincerely, Skip one line

SSign your letter beneath your closing. FFor friendly letters, your first name is usually enough, unless the person doesn’t know you very well.

34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI October 1, 2002 Dear Jen, How are you doing? It’s been a long time since we talked. I hope you are well. What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of new activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday, actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good show. I’m very excited! School has been going well, too. My new students are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re going to have a fun year. I hope to hear from you soon! Sincerely, 34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI October 1, 2002 Dear Jen, How are you doing? It’s been a long time since we talked. I hope you are well. What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of new activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday, actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good show. I’m very excited! School has been going well, too. My new students are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re going to have a fun year. I hope to hear from you soon! 34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI October 1, 2002 Dear Jen, How are you doing? It’s been a long time since we talked. I hope you are well. What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of new activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday, actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good show. I’m very excited! School has been going well, too. My new students are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re going to have a fun year. I hope to hear from you soon! Sincerely, Signature Mrs. Jennings

AA postscript is an afterthought that you write at the end of the letter. PP.S. stand for the Latin words post (“after”) and script (“writing”). SSkip one line after your signature, then write “P.S. - ” at the margin.

34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI October 1, 2002 Dear Jen, How are you doing? It’s been a long time since we talked. I hope you are well. What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of new activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday, actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good show. I’m very excited! School has been going well, too. My new students are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re going to have a fun year. I hope to hear from you soon! Sincerely, Jake 34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI October 1, 2002 Dear Jen, How are you doing? It’s been a long time since we talked. I hope you are well. What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of new activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday, actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good show. I’m very excited! School has been going well, too. My new students are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re going to have a fun year. I hope to hear from you soon! Sincerely, 34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI October 1, 2002 Dear Jen, How are you doing? It’s been a long time since we talked. I hope you are well. What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of new activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday, actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good show. I’m very excited! School has been going well, too. My new students are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re going to have a fun year. I hope to hear from you soon! 34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI October 1, 2002 Dear Jen, Sincerely, Jake P.S. P.S. – Be sure to send me pictures of the new baby whale! How are you doing? It’s been a long time since we talked. I hope you are well. What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of new activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday, actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good show. I’m very excited! School has been going well, too. My new students are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re going to have a fun year. I hope to hear from you soon!

 Once you have jotted down your ideas, you are ready to mail it.  Write/address the name of the person written for your letter.

 It’s time to make our own flow map of the parts of a friendly letter!