21st Century Writing

Every year, I (Rhiannon) teach letter writing to my first grade students.  What I hadn't considered, however, is teaching students about crafting an e-mail, though I know that in the "real world" adults are more likely to create an electronic letter rather than a handwritten one.  Here is a lesson idea shared by my professor with our graduate reading course. 

What’s the Difference? Beginning Writers Compare E-mail with Letter Writing

(This is one of many great lessons from the ReadWriteThink website, which also has links for parents!) 

 

I think that while it is still important to teach students what now seems to be the ancient practice of handwritten letter writing, I have to keep pushing to incorporate technology into my writing lessons as well.  I have found typing to be an issue, due to the difficulty my students have finding letters on the QWERTY keyboard, but I am guessing that if I practiced this more in class, and also suggested that students practice typing at home when they want to practice word wall words or "write" a story or note, perhaps this would not be as trying as I once thought!  I am going to consider this when doing our holiday letter writing, such as letters to Santa, or writing thank-yous to family and friends.  Maybe we can send emails instead!