Letters to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus

Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

Students learn about and write letters to members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Subjects: Language Arts 

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 

Objectives
Students will

• study the backgrounds of the members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus,
• demonstrate abilities to write business letters to members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus,
• address mailing envelopes correctly, and
• copyedit each other's work.

Keywords

Congressional Hispanic Caucus, letters

Materials Needed

• computers with Internet access or printouts of members' links at the Web site noted in the Procedure below
• paper
• pens
• envelopes
• postage stamps

Procedure

1. Depending on the size of your class, divide the class into pairs or assign each student one member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Have students use the caucus site or the printouts to learn information about the members.
2. Tell each student or group to write a letter to the assigned member of the caucus. Explain that each letter must include at least one question about each of the following: the member's job, the member's background, what inspired the member to run for office, the member's future plans.
3. Have students or groups exchange letters and copyedit one another's work.

Assessment
Evaluate students' letters and participation.