1.  What does the word “culture” mean to you?  How do you think we can build a positive classroom community?

2. Letter writing format

3.  Purpose: to set goals for yourself over the course of the school year and to be able to trace your development over the course of the year.  Audience: Yourself- You are writing this letter for your future self. You will get your letter back at the end of the school year. (Miss Wilhide- I will also be reading your letters).

4.  Why you are writing your letter  What is the purpose of writing a letter to your future self?  Information about yourself now  Examples might include your age, what grade you’re in, what your current interests are, what you’re involved in, where you’re working, what you like to do, how you currently feel about school and/or this class. It can also include your favorites ( books, music groups, movies, TV, etc.). A description of your room, what you like to do with friends, what you like to do alone, etc.

5.  Who are the people in your life? Examples: your family, siblings, aunts and uncles, grandparents, friends, best friend(s), teachers, the opposite sex, "him" or "her," who I like, people I'd like to know better, people I admire and respect, important people in my life, people who annoy me, etc

6.  What you love about yourself now.  Examples: what you’re good at, what you hope never changes, what makes you the wonderful person that you are.

7.  your goals for the future and hopes for the future  Write about where you want to be by the end of the school year in this class, at school in general, in your clubs or sports, and in your life.  Basically you are writing about your aspirations for the future, whatever they may be.  What is the ultimate and underlying reason why these goals matter to you?

8.  An explanation of how you can make those goals or hopes a reality  What steps can you take now and throughout the school year to make sure that your dreams come true  What internal resources do you inherently possess that will help you, now and always?

9.  Wrap up your letter to yourself  Some ideas may be to give yourself some last words of wisdom, or a final message for your future self, or just a farewell. You decided  Make sure to incl