Ericas Ed-Ventures

Primary Education Ideas

Letter Writing Unit: Teaching Letter Writing Through Picture Books

I have finally finished revamping my Letter Writing Unit and it is now 120 pages long!  It is Common Core Aligned for kindergarten, first, second, and third grade.  I have added a ton more crafts and prettied up my letter writing papers.  I have also added editable text boxes to some pages of the PDF (I caved and went and bought Adobe Pro).

I hope you check out the packet on TpT, just click the photo images.  As always, feel free to pin anything in this post and scroll down for a mini-giveaway!

I have included to versions of the “Parts of a Friendly Letter” posters.  One relating it to a person and another basic one.  Both are also included as student versions. 
  
These are my two favorite Tooth Fairy books: Dear Tooth Fairy by Alan Durant and You Think It’s Easy Being the Tooth Fairy? by Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt
The adorable Tooth Fairy clip art is by Lita Lita and it is free!  I asked her permission to make a craft inspired by it.  I think they came out pretty cute!  
This letter made me laugh!

I was observed using this lesson.  Our district has adopted the Danielson Framework for observations.  I have included my Common Core Aligned Formal Lesson plan and my Pre-Observartion Planning form in the packet.

Dear Mr. Blueberry is actually a book in our second grade reading series.  I passed this activity on to them.  I really love this book and how patient Mr. Blueberry is with Emily.

 

You all know I love my animals!   This activity is a favorite of mine and great for voice!  I start by reading Help Me, Mr. Mutt by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel.  I follow up by reading other books which showcase “Cat vs. Dog” voice.  Here are a few of my favorites: My Big Dog by Susan Stevens Crummel, and  I am the Dog, I am the Cat by Donald Hall.

Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin is a great book for persuasive letter writing.
I utilize her follow up book, Giggle, Giggle Quack, to have the students write letters to a sub pretending they are the teacher.  The result: ridiculous plans for the day! 

Some other popular books utilized as mentor texts in this packet:

I have included a two page bibliography with many more books and links!  
Now for the mini-giveaway:

Reader Interactions

Comments

  8. I think I am in letter writing love! It is on my wish list just in case I don't win, but let's think positive!

    faithfulinfirst.blogspot.com

  10. I LOVE the way those tooth fairies came out! I'd love to do that when I do dental health with my first graders. Thanks for a fun giveaway!

    ✿Sue✿
    ✿http://www.scienceforkidsblog.blogspot.com✿

  13. You are so creative and have so many great ideas. I love following your blog as you are inspirational in my own journey to blog and create.

  19. This is a fantastic unit! I purchased it last month and have used many of the activities for my letter writing unit! My kids LOVE the MR. Mutt activities… They laughed so hard and have had so much for sharing their advice! I even let them choose to be other animals than the dog… but the all HAD to have the "Queen" be part of their letters! I am excited to redownload and check out the newly added activities and pages! Thanks Erica!

    Emma
    Ms. Emma's Edventure

  24. You are ridiculously talented and your work inspires me to keep creating great materials. Your scholars are lucky to have you! I am huge on writing in my class and I love how you incorporate a lot of art to go with it. It makes it so much more fun for the kiddos. Keep up the amazing work!