How to Write a Formal Email to Teachers
Overview
Communicating electronically is an important 21st century skill. Since students at the grades
4-6 levels are just beginning to write emails, integrating a writing lesson with a email netiquette lesson is a great way to expose students to formal communications used in the business and professional worlds.
It is never too soon to start since students at the elementary school level are beginning to communicate with their teachers via email. Up to the point of 4th, 5th, or 6th grades, most students’ communications via email have been with friends and family, if they have used email at all. Given the nature of the informal communications, students are not exposed to proper formatting or methods using email. As a result, teachers receive emails from their students requesting homework help that often lack specific information requiring the teacher to be intuitive, or mind read, what the student needs. Sometimes, the tone of the emails from students can be so informal that the email comes across as disrespectful to the teacher.
Objectives
After viewing several informative websites,
Standards
ISTE/NETS
Communication and Collaboration: Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
2a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.
AASL
2.1.4 Use technology and other information tools to analyze and organize information.
4.3.4 Practice safe and ethical behaviors in personal and electronic communication and interaction.
Arizona Educational Technology Standards
Strand 2: Communication and Collaboration
Concept 1: Effective Communication and Digital Interactions
PO 2.: Explain and demonstrate the safety and etiquette of digital environments to communicate and collaborate with intended audiences.
Communicating electronically is an important 21st century skill. Since students at the grades
4-6 levels are just beginning to write emails, integrating a writing lesson with a email netiquette lesson is a great way to expose students to formal communications used in the business and professional worlds.
It is never too soon to start since students at the elementary school level are beginning to communicate with their teachers via email. Up to the point of 4th, 5th, or 6th grades, most students’ communications via email have been with friends and family, if they have used email at all. Given the nature of the informal communications, students are not exposed to proper formatting or methods using email. As a result, teachers receive emails from their students requesting homework help that often lack specific information requiring the teacher to be intuitive, or mind read, what the student needs. Sometimes, the tone of the emails from students can be so informal that the email comes across as disrespectful to the teacher.
Objectives
After viewing several informative websites,
- Students will create a list of email netiquette tips by creating a popplet, which will be printed and used as easy reference for the students.
- Students will practice writing formal emails to various people.
- Students will write and send a formal email to the teacher.
Standards
ISTE/NETS
Communication and Collaboration: Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
2a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.
AASL
2.1.4 Use technology and other information tools to analyze and organize information.
4.3.4 Practice safe and ethical behaviors in personal and electronic communication and interaction.
Arizona Educational Technology Standards
Strand 2: Communication and Collaboration
Concept 1: Effective Communication and Digital Interactions
PO 2.: Explain and demonstrate the safety and etiquette of digital environments to communicate and collaborate with intended audiences.