Responding to Literature : Folk Tale Letter Writing

A Telecollaborative Language Arts Activity

Project Coordinator

Gary Holzgang
holzgang at qesnrecit.qc.ca
Hemmingford Elementary School

 Project Description:

Students of the Grade 2-4 level range will read and study a tale. As part of a classroom reader's response to literature activity they are asked to write a letter to a(the) main character of the story expressing some of the ideas and questions which arise as they read. The letter should explain why the story was meaningful at a personal level, ask questions about the story or about a character, or make suggestions about events or characters which could change the story line in terms of an alternative ending. Any appropriate response to the original tale would be acceptable. The letters are then forwarded to a school where a group of students have been advised in how to respond to these letters. The respondents will address directly the issues raised by the original letter in a pseudo-professional but light friendly manner as if they were the character written to.

The first set of Tales dealt with will include: Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, Beauty and the Beast, and Snow White.

Subject Area: Language Arts

Target Group: Levels 2-4 (writers) and levels 6-7(respondents)

Number of Students Taking Part: at Teacher's discretion

Language: English or French. We can arrange to have French groups participate. However, I haven't had time to adapt the material and teacher resources yet.

Software needed: any e-mail program. The letters will be written in a word processor, then transfered to the E-mail screen,

Registration Procedures:

Send e-mail to holzgan at qesnrecit.qc.ca In your message, include:

* name of teacher

* e-mail address

* school and location

* class address

* grade levels of the letter writers or letter respondents (please specify)

* language of communication

Timeline: Beginning date- time of registration