Writing to City Council Person/ State Legislator
to request aid for the school and for the representative to
visit the school
Lesson
Materials
(word
document)
Aim:
1) Students will brainstorm ideas of ways to make their
school/ classroom better.
2) Students will write pervasive letters to their city council/state
legislator telling about their school needs and inviting
them to school.
Motivation:
Read book on Martin Luther King that has excerpts from his
“I Have a Dream” speech. It should also discuss
how he experienced things that were not fair or needed changing
and then worked to make the changes happen.
Teach:
Just like MLK and Rosa Parks, who thought about
ways to make life better for people, you as students can
think what would make our school and/ or classroom a better
place to learn. For example: If we had a printer for our
computer, then we could print out some of the stories you
have written. I will write down your ideas on the chart
paper. Make a list of their ideas. (Teachers: You will need
to direct their thoughts into constructive ideas. For example
if they say more snacks, you might direct it to more healthy
snacks.)
Possible
ideas:
- More
recess/ gym: Students need more exercise for health reasons.
More adults needed at recess to help organize games of
kick ball, jump rope, basketball, softball, etc.
- Computer/printers
in classrooms: Can be better working/ more up to date
so that programs actually work on them/ more computers,
etc.
- After
school programs: To help with homework, tutoring, and
more time for gym, arts, computers.
-
Summer program with trips, arts, computers, sports, etc.
-
Less kids in each class so students have more time with
their teachers/ can get more individual help.
- Cleaner
bathrooms/ yard.
-
Better lunches.
Day
2: Letter writing
Teach:
Just about everything we thought of yesterday would make
our school/classroom better will cost money. For example:
Computers cost money, more teachers cost money to pay their
salary. Schools get money from the city and state. We can
write a letter to our city council person/ state legislator
and tell them why we think our school should get more money
to pay for what would make it better.
Show
a model of a letter to a legislator on the overhead or chart
paper. (See
sample)
Read
the letter and explain how the letter writer first introduces
him or herself and then tells why they are writing and why.
Show a sample of the paper they will get set up with lines
for writing in the appropriate places. (Sample included)
Model writing a letter on the paper. Write down the steps:
-
Write the proper headings. (Legislator name/ address and
date)
- Introduce
yourself.
-
Tell what you think should be done to improve the school/
classroom and why.
-
Sign your name.
Give
out the paper and have student write a draft.
Materials:
Suggested MLK books.
Paper set up in letter format for student writing.
Sample letter to legislator.
Addresses and districts of city council people and state
legislators.
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Subject
Areas:
Language Arts
Grade Levels: K-2
About
the teacher:
Lisa R. North is currently a Reading Recovery
teacher at PS 3, District 13, in Brooklyn, NY. Reading Recovery
is an early intervention reading and writing program for
first grade students. Before becoming a Reading Recovery
teacher, Lisa taught first grade for eight years. This will
be Lisa’s thirteenth year of teaching. She received
her Masters Degree in early childhood education from Bank
Street College of Education.
LRN1212@aol.com
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