Learning Experience
Writing A Business Letter
Who, What, and Where Are They

CONTENT KNOWLEDGE

Using word processing software: spell check, grammar check, thesaurus, rules o punctuation and spacing, tabs

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

• How do you write a business letter?
• How do you find names and addresses on the Internet?

INITIATING ACTIVITY

Students will be asked to share their knowledge of letter forms; in particular business letter forms. Information concerning the purpose of this lesson and subsequent writing exercise will be discussed.

This unit will meet 7^th grade computer/careers curriculum needs and offer the opportunity for an interdisciplinary study with 7^th grade English.

LEARNING EXPERIENCES

(6-8 class periods)

PRETEST

As a group, students will discuss the 6 parts of a business letter and the contents of each part. Following the discussion, they will be given an assorted listing of lines from different headings, salutations, closings, and signatures. The sample set will need to be corrected with proper capitalization and punctuation. Students will exchange papers in order to correct mistakes. This exercise will be used to provide practice applying knowledge and focus.

SET TABS
Students will be instructed on how to set lift tabs for paragraphing and left alignment needs.

Technology Standard 2-1.1

ARRANGE AND RETYPE A BUSINESS LETTER.

Students will be given a copy of a business letter written as a block, without punctuation, paragraphing, or proper spacing. Students will arrange and type the sample in semiblock letter style. Students will self correct against the completed business letter.

The purpose of this exercise is to provide practice applying knowledge and skills.

Technology Standard 2-1.1

ELA Standard 4-2.1+

CONDUCT ELECTRONIC RESEARCH.

Students will be paired off among themselves. Each pair will brainstorm a list of 5 names including community leaders and national figures or celebrities. They will then use the internet to conduct an electronic search using www.infoseek.com to find the address of at least one of the persons on their list.

This exercise will be used to provide data for site based management.

Technology Standard 2-1.2

ELA Standard 1-2.5*

WRITE A LETTER OF REQUEST FOR CAREER INFORMATION.

Each pair of students will collaborate to compose a business letter to their chosen personality. The letter will introduce themselves and request information regarding the personality's personal choices and preparation for his/her career. Questions regarding education, early jobs, and opportunities will be included.

This exercise will be used to motivate and focus student attention and effort. Students' letters will be graded for both form and content.

ELA Standard 4-2.1+

3* Students understand that choosing jobs or careers related to personal interests, skills, and abilities usually leads to successful employment.

5* Students understand that personal choices (e.g., types of working conditions preferred, desired salary) affect career decisions.

ELA STANDARD 1: LANGUAGE FOR INFORMATION AND UNDERSTANDING

Students will read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding. As listeners and readers, students will collect data, facts, and ideas; discover relationships, concepts, and generalizations; and use knowledge generated from oral, written, and electronically produced texts. As speakers and writers, they will use oral and written language to acwuire, interpret, apply, and transmit information.

SPEAKING AND WRITING

2. Speaking and writing to acquire and transmit information requires asking probing and clarifying questions, interpreting information in one's own words, applying information from one context to another, and presenting the information and interpretation clearly, concisely, and comprehensibly.

5* Students use a variety of prewriting strategies (brainstorm, build background knowledge)

5* Students use a variety of strategies to draft and revise written work (e.g., analyze and clarify meaning, make structural and syntactical changes, use an appropiate organizational scheme, rethink and rewrite for different audiences and purposes)

5* Students use a variety of strategies to edit and publish written work (e.g., edit for grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling at a developmentally appropriate level; proofread using reference materials, word processor, and other resources; edit for clarity, word choice, and language usage; use a word processor to publish written work).

6+ Students use style and structure appropriate for specific audiences and purposes

READING AND WRITING

2. Written communication for social interaction requires using written messages to establish, maintain, and enhance personal relationships with others.

1* Students write social letters, cards, and electronic messages.

1+ Students write business letters and letters of request and response

TECHNOLOGY STANDARD 2: INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Students will access, generate, process, and transfer information using appropriate technologies.

INFORMATION SYSTEMS

• Information technology is used to retrive, process, and communicate information and as a tool to enhance learning.

DISCUSSION AND PRESENTATION OF LETTERS WRITTEN WITH THEIR RESPONSES

Each pair of students will present orally the letter they sent and the response they received. If a response was received, students will discuss the personal choices and career decisions made by the particular celebrity or public figure.

• Careers Development Standard 1-1.3*
• Careers Development Standard 1-1.5*

WRITE A LETTER OF THANK YOU.

When responses are received, prompt and sincere letters of appreciation will be sent.

• ELA Standard 4-2.1*
• ELA Standard 1-2.5*

CULMINATING PERFORMANCE

Each pair of students will present and share information regarding the learning experience. One student will present information about their internet search. Additionally the second student will read the letter they prepared. Opportunities will be present for class input and revisions before the letters are sent to the particular celebrity. Students' letters will be graded for both form and content with the use of the attached rubric.

CONNECTIONS TO STANDARDS

CAREER DEVELOPMENT STANDARD 1

Career Development Students will be knowledgeable about the world of work, explore career options, and relate personal skills, aptitudes, and abilities to future career decisions.

1. Students will learn about the changing nature of the workplace, the value of work to society, and the connection of work to the achievement of personal goals.

1* Students understand and use advanced features of word processing

2. Students gather information from on-line telecommunication services.
3. Students use a variety of sources to gather information for a specific topic (e.g., local and national media libraries, museums, governmental agencies, industries, and individuals).

RUBRICS

WRITING A BUSINESS LETTER/WORD PROCESSING

P+

The business letter is very appropriate and communicates strong understanding of the assignment. The letter is very clearly presented with high quality and shows much creativity. Proper business letter form was used.

Margins and tabs were all used successfully. The material was spell-checked and edited. There were no mistakes in punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and grammar.

P

The family business letter is appropriate and communicates good understanding of the assignment. The letter is presented with good quality and shows some creativity.

Margins and tabs were used successfully. The material was spell-checked and edited. There were very few mistakes in punctuation, capitalization, spelling and grammar.

P-

The letter is not appropriate for topic and may be incomplete. It communicates little understanding of the assignment. Unclear or poor quality; shows little creativity.

Below average standards regarding margins and tabs. The material was poorly spell-checked and edited. There were several mistakes in punctuation, capitalization, spelling and grammar.

F

The report is too short or not completed and is not appropriate for topic. Shows no knowledge of topic and no creativity. Quality is very poor and reflects little or no effort. Word processing skills are not executed appropriately.

*P++ is always available to reward outstanding work, extraordinary effort and accomplishment

SOURCES

Levinson, Andrea and Barbara Martorana. Writing Competency Practice, Educational Activities, Inc. Freeport, NY. 1980

"Microsoft Office 98 Macintosh." CD-ROM. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft, 1998.

An integrated software program for the power Mac; including: word processing, spreadsheet, database, communications, and draw tools.

www.inforseek.com

An online electronic search of public records for names, addresses, and phone numbers.