Letter Writing Experience Lesson for Grade 4

Grade Band: Upper Elementary (4–5)
Subject Area: English Language Arts

This free classroom lesson gives students a real reason to write. Instead of practice-only assignments, students plan, draft, revise, and send an authentic letter to a chosen recipient.

Overview

Students explore how written communication changes depending on audience and purpose. They examine different types of letters, identify the common parts of a letter, and then compose their own message. The unit ends with students preparing a final copy and sending it to a real person or organization.

Learning Goals

Students learn how written communication works in everyday life. They recognize the parts of a letter, choose appropriate tone, organize ideas clearly, and revise writing before sharing it with an authentic reader.

Materials

• Sample letters (friendly and formal)
• Chart paper or whiteboard
• Writing notebooks or drafting paper
• Final copy paper or stationery
• Envelopes and stamps
• Access to a word processor (optional)

Preparation

Collect two or three different kinds of letters students can read and discuss. Prepare a blank anchor chart titled “Parts of a Letter.” Decide how letters will be delivered (school mail, postal service, or hand delivery). If mailing, confirm addresses in advance.

Teaching Procedure

1. Show students several example letters and read them aloud.
2. Ask students what they notice about structure, tone, and purpose.
3. Create a class chart listing greeting, body, closing, and signature.
4. Discuss how writing changes depending on the reader.
5. Have students choose a real recipient for their letter.
6. Students brainstorm ideas and record them in notebooks.
7. Students write a first draft focusing on clear ideas rather than spelling.
8. Conduct a short peer review where partners read each other’s letters.
9. Students revise for clarity, organization, and politeness.
10. Students prepare a final copy and address an envelope.
11. Mail or deliver the letters.

Guided Practice

Work together to compose a model letter as a class. Invite students to help choose the greeting, add details, and decide how to close the letter. Think aloud while making writing decisions so students hear how a writer organizes thoughts.

Independent Activity

Each student writes one complete letter to a chosen recipient. Appropriate choices include a family member, community helper, favorite author, school staff member, or another classroom. Students include at least one question that encourages a reply.

Discussion and Reflection

After mailing, discuss why letters require careful wording. Ask students how writing to a real person changed their effort. When responses arrive, allow students to share and talk about how communication works between people who are not in the same place.

Assessment

Evaluate student writing using observable elements: correct letter structure, clear ideas, appropriate tone, and effort in revision. Observe participation during peer review and drafting. A simple checklist works well for this task.

Differentiation

Provide sentence starters or a template for students who need support. Allow dictation or speech-to-text tools for students with writing difficulties. Encourage advanced writers to include multiple paragraphs and more detailed questions.

Extension Ideas

Create an ongoing classroom correspondence board. Students can continue writing monthly letters, thank-you notes after field trips, or requests for information connected to class topics. A class pen-pal partnership with another grade level can also be established.