Letter to the President

Author: Michelle Hofmann

Grades: 4 and 5

NE Standards: 4.2.1 Students will identify, describe, and apply knowledge of the structure of the English language and standard English conventions for sentence structure, usage, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. 4.2.4 Students will use a variety of forms to write for different audiences and purposes.

Objectives: Students will decide on the name and identity as a letter writer. They will write to the President discussing what might have been concerns during or criticisms about the government during that time period. They will be able to understand historical events and how they may have effected their character as a farmer, teenager, Native American, etc.

Materials:

Lined paper

Writing utensils

Reference books

History text

Political science text

Supplementary texts or references

Anticipatory Set: Discuss with the class, what the United States was like in 1780. Recap how the new government was developed and how the process works. Brainstorm different citizens that lived in our country at the time.

1. Working in pairs, decide on a name and identity for the letter writing. Decide where the letter writer lives and what problems worry this person. Write a letter to the President dated 1780 telling him what your problems are and questioning him about how his programs will affect you, your family, and your religion. Discuss the new government, focusing on how you think that would affect you.
2. Work with another pair and share your thoughts and ideas. Together, edit and proofread each other’s letters. Make corrections and finalize your letter. Turn the letters in to the teacher.
3. Your group will choose a classmates’ letter and respond to it. Tell the letter writer how you feel about his or her problems. Explain what you plan to do as President. Include when, why and how.

Closure: The class will share their letters and responses.

Assessment: Students will fill out a peer assessment form as well as one about themselves. The teacher will have to monitor their cooperation and contributions. Using their peer assessments and rubric ratings of 1-5, the teacher will determine each students score as well as a group score. Combine the two for total grade out of 10.