Using the Friendly Letter as an Approach to Improving Writing Skills.

Several years ago, when I was teaching Science, I searched for a way to teach students citizenship, environmental awareness, and to improve writing skills. I had them research an environmental issue they felt passionate about. After they decided on an issue and did some research on the topic, I instructed them to research whether any bills were in-process to address the issue. If not, they were to find out to whom to write to call attention to the issue.  If there was a bill in place, they needed to write to their state representative that and encourage them to vote on the bill. Then, they wrote a letter to that key person and actually mailed it.

I stressed how important it was to write a professional looking letter. I explained that their letter not only represented them, but it also represented the school. We did not want to embarrass the school. The students took the issue and the project very seriously. One of my students decided to go straight to the top. He wrote to then First Lady Barbara Bush. This student, Charles, also happened to be my most challenging student in the class, behaviorally and academically.

On the last day of school I was packing up my classroom. Suddenly, I heard my name shouted in the hallway in an excited chant. “Mrs. Fitzell! Mrs. Fitzell! Mrs. Fitzell.”  I recognized the voice. It was Charles. Eventually, he burst into the room waving a piece of paper. “Mrs. Fitzell, look, look! I got an answer from Mrs. Bush!” He shoved the paper in front of my face excitedly. “Look!” I oooed and ahhhed and praised him for doing such a great job on that letter. We talked about the assignment and how hard he worked on it. I’ll never forget the pride on his face. That is what a teacher lives for.

Research Background

The creation of a mind map in a small group is an active and collaborative learning exercise. Because a mind map captures a specific topic in a nonlinear fashion and incorporates graphics and colors, this exercise also can connect with learners whose style is not well served by traditional linear, text-based materials.