A Letter to Myself

Language Arts

What You Need

• Writing paper
• Envelopes
• Drawing materials

What to Do

1. Have several volunteers name someone they think is a hero and describe what that person did to become a hero. Write the ideas on the chalkboard.

2. Next have children consider what these heroes might have been like at their age. To encourage a discussion about a child's dreams and plans for the future, ask such questions as these:
   • Do you think [person] knew what he/she wanted to be when he/she grew up?
   • What plans might [person] have made to make sure that the dream came true?
   • Did [person] have to have any special training or education to do what he/she did? What do you think it was like?
   • What kind of advice do you think [person] might give you about doing what he/she did?

3. Tell children they are going to write a letter to themselves in which they tell what they hope to do when they grow up. They must also tell how they hope to meet those goals. Suggest that children illustrate the final copy of their letters.

4. Explain to children that when they are older, they can open the letter and see how close they came to their dreams. Point out, though, that dreams can change, and the ones they have later can be just as good as what they think now.

5. Send the letters home with a note asking a family member to file the letter where it will be safe.

Teaching Options

• For further letter-writing experience, have children write a letter to one of the people they consider a hero. In the letter, they might tell that person about their own goals and ask advice about reaching them.
• Gather addresses for sources of free materials. Have children write for free information about such subjects as pet care and the environment. Model the correct forms for addressing an envelope and writing a return address.
• On the computer, have children create and print out a set of labels with each classmate's name and home address. They can use these for return addresses or for stamped, self-addressed envelopes when sending for free material.