How one communicates concerns about another person's actions or performance can significantly affect both the extent to which the feedback improves behavior as well as the quality of the ongoing relationship with the feedback recipient. This article reviews evidence-based principles for delivering corrective feedback and describes an engaging…

This article examines children's literature that depicts people undergoing political conflict and war in a post-WWII era. These books portray political conflicts, refugees' relocation, and settlement in different countries. Using these books with drama inspired activities can help students gain awareness and empathetic attitudes toward…

An important part of student success in school is the involvement of families. However, the communication between students and families regarding school is often sparse at best and caregivers can feel left out as to what is happening. Friday letters improve communication between students and families and also provide a myriad of instructional…

"Mr. President, It is my Desire to be free," wrote Annie Davis to Abraham Lincoln, 20 months after he issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation affected only those parts of the country that were in rebellion against the United States on the date it was issued, January 1, 1863. The slaveholding border states of…

In this article the author shares two ways in which letters can be used to tell stories with different groups of learners, beginners and advanced, and in so doing develop their English language learning. Based on some theoretical concepts that connect English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning with authenticity and communicative competence, he…

In this article, the author uses several primary sources to demonstrate that George Washington, Samuel Cabble, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy stated their awareness of contemporary challenges, but looked to the future with hope and optimism. When they envisioned the future, their words indicated that they did not just imagine it, but…

People nowadays communicate with each other in many ways. Beyond sending letters and postcards, Internet services such as e-mail, blogs, chatrooms, instant messaging, and video conferencing are used. It should be no surprise that children love to get mail too, and it is nice to know that the envelope-and-stamp variety has not lost its charm.…

Discusses a project in which both remedial and gifted seventh grade students wrote a letter to an author. Describes authors' responses and the remarkable effect those responses had on students. (SR)

Suggests that letter writing can provide an especially empowering form of writing practice, as young children send meaningful written messages to one another, classroom mascots, pen pals, family members, and even elected officials. Concludes that the ultimate purpose of reading and writing is meaningful communication, and letter writing provides…

Argues that the most important thing that teachers can teach their students about writing letters is to write in a way that reflects the writer's personality, ideas, and visions. Notes that student letter writers should also practice thoughtfulness and good manners. (RS)

Discusses the researched article as an alternative to the research paper and provides guidelines for students to follow in writing a query letter which sells the idea for the article. (RB)

In addition to providing a written record of a conference or meeting, the confirming letter helps the public relations practitioner assure that his or her objectives are being achieved. Timing, packaging and salutation, opening paragraph, and closing paragraph are important elements for an instructor to consider when teaching the confirming letter…

Reports on a class activity in which students wrote letters to leaders and personalities in the fields of art, literature, and politics to solicit bits of their "trash" for a student art show. (RL)

Describes "Project History in the Making" in which students in the class of 1990 read letters written by members of the classes of 1940 and 1965 and write letters to the class of 2015. Notes some of the questions asked by the class of 1990 to invited guests from the classes of 1940 and 1965. (RS)

Describes a pen pal experience between a third and fourth grade class and some local senior citizens. (MM)