📖

Letters Tell Stories

Beginning Sarah, Plain and Tall

Day 58of 180
Week 12of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)

Learning Objectives

1

Understand how letters help tell a story

2

Identify the purpose of letters in Sarah, Plain and Tall

3

Practice reading and analyzing text

Proverbs 22:21

To show you the certainty of the words of truth, that you may answer words of truth to those who sent you?

Proverbs 22:21 (WEB)

Letters help us share truth and communicate important messages, just like in our story and in God's Word

📦 Materials Needed

  • Sarah, Plain and Tall book
  • Writing paper
  • Colored pencils
  • Envelope template
  • Sample historical letters

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students and discuss what letters are and how people communicated before telephones and email

💭 Review Question: How did families stay in touch long ago?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explain how letters in Sarah, Plain and Tall help tell the story's background and characters' feelings

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Letters share personal thoughts
  • Letters help us understand characters' emotions
  • Letters were important for communication in pioneer times
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What do Sarah's letters tell us about her?
  • How might letters be different from talking face to face?
3Activity: Pioneer Letter Writing (10 min)
hands-on

Students write a letter as if they were a character in the book

📝 Instructions:
  1. Choose a character from the story
  2. Write a letter sharing their thoughts and feelings
  3. Decorate the envelope with period-appropriate designs
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Draw pictures in the letter instead of writing

Challenge: Research historical letter-writing styles and language

4Closing (5 min)

Share letters and discuss how writing helps us understand others

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did you learn about letters today?
  • How do letters help tell a story?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for helping us communicate and share our thoughts with others. Help us to speak truth and love in our words. Amen.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn more about how the Witting family feels about losing their mama

Proverbs 22:21

To show you the certainty of the words of truth, that you may answer words of truth to those who sent you?

Proverbs 22:21 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Letter Truth Chase - children run to different letter stations with parts of the verse

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

The lesson explores epistolary storytelling and historical communication methods

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Encourage empathy when writing letters
  • Discuss the importance of kind communication
  • Help children understand historical context
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find historical letter writing challenging

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Understanding of letter purpose and emotional expression

Extension Activities

  • Create a family letter-writing night
  • Research historical postal systems
  • Compare modern communication to pioneer-era communication

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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