Fillable Printable Composing a Personal Letter
Fillable Printable Composing a Personal Letter
Composing a Personal Letter
GOLD MEDAL INITIATIVE
Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Corporation
PA Career Education & Work Standards
Lesson Planning Guide
Composing a Personal Letter
Strand #13.2: Career Acquisition (Getting a Job)
CEW Standard #13.2.3C: Compose a personal letter.
Approximate Time: Three 45-minute periods.
Prerequisite Skills
Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening*
1.4.3 Types of Writing
B. Write informational pieces using illustrations when relevant.
1.5.3 Quality of Writing
B. Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.
E. Revise writing to improve detail and order by identifying missing information and
determining whether ideas follow logically.
1.6.3 Speaking and Listening
A. Listen to others.
B. Listen to a selection of literature.
D. Contribute to discussions.
Mathematics*
None
Science and Technology*
None
Career Education and Work*
None
Performance Standards
Performance Standard Suggested Evaluation Method
1. Compose a personal letter as practiced in class according to
the rubric with 85% accuracy.
Project evaluation: rubric
Suggested Projects
None
Strand #13.2: Career Acquisition (Getting a Job) Page 2
CEW Standard #13.2.3C: Compose a personal letter.
Multiple Intelligence Types
Verbal/Linguistic
Visual/Spatial
Interpersonal
Resources
1. Handout - letter to “Mavis Jamieson”
See attached
2. Handout - letter to “Martin Gavin”
See attached
3. Book - The Gardener
031236749X, Stewart, Sarah, Square Fish, amazon.com
4. Handout - letter to “Frank”
See attached
5. Rubric – “Letter Elements Pasted in Correct Area”
See attached
6. Rubric – “Letter Writing: Personal Letter”
See attached
Equipment/Materials/Software
1. Composition paper
Any supplier
2. Glue
Any supplier
Suggested Learning Sequence
Strategy Outline Resources/Equipment
Performance
Standard 1
Introduction Introduce a personal letter and the format in which it
should be written. Provide students with some common
questions to include in the personal letter. Assign
students the task of writing a personal letter to another
student in the school. Discuss the greeting, body of the
letter, and closing/signature. Show some examples of
personal letters to the class.
Resource #1
Resource #2
Activity/
Demonstration
Read The Gardener to the whole class. The story is
written in a personal letter style. Discuss the elements
of the personal letter as you read. Call on students
randomly to identify the parts of a personal letter found
in the story.
Demonstrate to students how to paste individually cut
personal letter elements to a piece of composition paper
in the appropriate place. Complete an example for
Resource #3
Resource #4
Equipment #1
Equipment #2
Strand #13.2: Career Acquisition (Getting a Job) Page 3
CEW Standard #13.2.3C: Compose a personal letter.
them.
Related Academic Skills: 1.6.3A, B, D
Assignment Provide students with separated/cut apart paper personal
letter elements. Have them paste the elements on
composition paper at the appropriate place. Review the
appropriate rubric with the students.
Related SCAN/Soft Skills: Information B
Resource #4
Resource #5
Equipment #1
Equipment #2
Assessment Have students compose their own personal letter being
sure to include all important components at the
appropriate place.
Before writing the letter, review the criteria and
descriptions of the scoring in the rubric as a class.
Evaluate each letter using the rubric and share the
results with each student. Go over common errors with
the whole class.
Related Academic Skills: 1.4.3B; 1.5.3B, E
Resource #6
Related SCANS/Soft Skills
Resources
None
Interpersonal
None
Information
B. Organizes and Maintains Information
Systems
None
Technology
None
Thinking Skills
None
Personal Qualities
None
Related Worksite/Work Based Activities
None
Additional Resources
None
______________________________
Resource #1
495 West Village Way
Suite 975
New York, New York
10023-6825
January 15, 2007
Mavis Jamieson
880 West 60
th
Street
Suite 1850
New York, New York
10025-5745
Dear Mavis:
Please accept my heartiest congratulations on your recent selection for inclusion on the short-list for the
NY City Writers Prize.
I just heard the news today from Francis Goodspeed when she dropped into my office with the marked up
proofs for her latest collection of stories. As you can imagine, Fran was very excited too!
I am so proud of you. As you know, I have been a long time promoter of your work, and in my mind it’s
about time they finally recognized your talent. In fact, I believe that your selection for the NY CWP
short-list is long overdue.
I have already read two of the other books that are short-listed and in my opinion they don’t hold a candle
to your “No Turning Back”. I will read the other three books nominated and let you know what I think.
Although, I could hardly be considered an objective reviewer on this one.
Once again Mavis, my sincere congratulations on your nomination. Just being nominated for the NY
CWP is an honor in itself. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you until they announce the winner on
March 1
st
.
Sincere best wishes,
Brad Merchant
Resource #2
175 Pitkin Park Road
Apt. No. 7
Montpelier, VT
05602-2950
April 10, 2007
Martin Gavin
175 Pitkin Park Road
Apt. No. 15
Montpelier, VT
05602-2950
Dear Martin:
Re: Parking Garage Problem
Please regard this letter as a letter of apology for the recent problems that I caused you by moving your
belongings in the parking garage without your permission.
Believe me I had no intention of causing you any problems. Over the long weekend I decided to
rearrange my space in the garage and install some new shelving on the front wall opposite my parking
space. While I was at it I thought I would also tidy up the entire garage. It was during that process that I
noticed that your boxes of books were stored, what I thought was, dangerously close to the electric
heating element. So, I took the liberty of moving those boxes to the other side of the garage. It didn’t
occur to me at the time that this would block the entry and exit on the passenger side of your vehicle.
After you brought this to my attention Monday evening I immediately moved your boxes back to where
they were stored originally. As you suggested, by stacking them carefully I was able to place them so that
there was sufficient safe clearance from the heating element. I trust you will find everything in order
now.
I’m really sorry that I didn’t check with you first before moving your belongings. I can now see how it
would have upset you to return after the holiday weekend and find your belongings moved for no
apparent reason. All I can say is that it won’t happen again.
Sincerely,
Jeff Gibson
Resource #4
701-235 Sherbrooke St.
Montreal, QC H3C 1L4
January 11, 2008
Dear Frank,
All the best to you for the New Year! How are things going in the Land of the Rising Sun? I
must say, I really envy you getting that Tokyo gig with the company. Somehow they overlooked
me on that one and I am forced to slug it out here through another frigid and snowy Montreal
winter. Brrrr!
I heard through the grapevine that business is going well there. Rumor has it that you guys are
just about to close a big deal with the Japanese government for an M-750 Simulator. Great
news! Good for the company and good for you. Keep up the great work!
Did you hear about Margie Bronson suddenly leaving the company just before year-end? It was
a bit of a shock to say the least. She gave one week’s notice and was gone. Nobody knows for
sure what’s up with her but rumors have been flying fast and furious that she went through a bit
of a personal meltdown and has now gone underground to lick her wounds for a while. There
could be some truth to that since her long time relationship ended recently and three months ago
she was passed over for that director position that was up for grabs. I’ll keep you posted when
we find out more.
As for me, I am quite busy these days on the Branscombe Systems Project. We are entering
Phase Two now, and that is expected to run for three years, at least. Frank Schindler is Senior
Project Manager and I am Team Leader of the Embedded Systems Group. I am enjoying it so
far. Whether I’ll feel the same way in three years, I’m not sure. By then I might be ready to join
you in Japan.
I’m still kicking butt in the squash court and am managing to get in two or three matches per
week. What about squash in Japan? Have you been able to play any over there? Are there even
any squash courts? I suppose since you are in Tokyo there must be some. Let me know.
I have to go now and attend to family duties. Jonathon needs some help with his homework and
Angie wants me to fix something in the kitchen. You single guys traveling the world sure are
lucky!
Keep me posted whenever you can. I really enjoy receiving your letters and getting the details of
your life in Japan.
Your squash buddy,
Dave
Resource #5
Letter Elements - Pasted in Correct Area
__________________________________________________________
Teacher Name:
Student Name: _______________________________________
CATEGORY 4 3 2 1
Format
Complies with all
the requirements
for a friendly
letter.
Complies with
almost all the
requirements for a
friendly letter.
Complies with
several of the
requirements for a
friendly letter.
Complies with less
than 75% of the
requirements for a
friendly letter.
Neatness
Letter is pasted,
clean, not
wrinkled, and is
easy to read with
no distracting error
corrections. It was
done with pride.
Letter is pasted,
clean, not
wrinkled, and is
easy to read with
no distracting error
corrections. It was
done with care.
Letter is pasted
and is crumpled or
slightly stained. It
may have 1-2
distracting error
corrections. It was
done with some
care.
Letter is pasted
and looks like it
had been shoved in
a pocket or locker.
It may have
several distracting
error corrections.
It looks like it was
done in a hurry or
stored improperly.
Use of Class
Time
Used time well
during each class
period. Focused
on getting the
project done.
Never distracted
others.
Used time well
during each class
period. Usually
focused on getting
the project done
and never
distracted others.
Used some of the
time well during
each class period.
There was some
focus on getting
the project done
but occasionally
distracted others.
Did not use class
time to focus on
the project OR
often distracted
others.
Knowledge
Gained
Student can
accurately answer
all questions
related to facts in
the poster and
processes used to
create the poster.
Student can
accurately answer
most questions
related to facts in
the poster and
processes used to
create the poster.
Student can
accurately answer
about 75% of
questions related
to facts in the
poster and
processes used to
create the poster.
Student appears to
have insufficient
knowledge about
the facts or
processes used in
the poster.
Resource #6
Letter-Writing: Personal Letter
__________________________________________________________
Teacher Name:
Student Name: _______________________________________
CATEGORY 4 3 2 1
Sentences &
Paragraphs
Sentences and
paragraphs are
complete, well-
constructed and of
varied structure.
All sentences are
complete and well-
constructed (no
fragments, no run-
ons).
Paragraphing is
generally done
well.
Most sentences are
complete and well-
constructed.
Paragraphing
needs some work.
Many sentence
fragments or run-
on sentences OR
paragraphing
needs lots of work.
Format
Complies with all
the requirements
for a friendly
letter.
Complies with
almost all the
requirements for a
friendly letter.
Complies with
several of the
requirements for a
friendly letter.
Complies with less
than 75% of the
requirements for a
friendly letter.
Capitalization
and
Punctuation
Writer makes no
errors in
capitalization and
punctuation.
Writer makes 1-2
errors in
capitalization and
punctuation.
Writer makes 3-4
errors in
capitalization and
punctuation.
Writer makes more
than 4 errors in
capitalization and
punctuation.
Salutation
and Closing
Salutation and
closing have no
errors in
capitalization and
punctuation.
Salutation and
closing have 1-2
errors in
capitalization and
punctuation.
Salutation and
closing have 3 or
more errors in
capitalization and
punctuation.
Salutation and/or
closing are
missing.
Format
Complies with all
the requirements
for a friendly
letter.
Complies with
almost all the
requirements for a
friendly letter.
Complies with
several of the
requirements for a
friendly letter.
Complies with less
than 75% of the
requirements for a
friendly letter.
