Investigating Junk Mail: Negotiating Critical Literacy at the Mailbox

Materials and Technology

Student Interactives

Printouts

Preparation

 

MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY

• Chart paper and markers
  
  
• Examples of junk mail
  
  
• For a more visual sorting option, hula hoops or rope to form circles on the floor

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STUDENT INTERACTIVES

Grades   K – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Writing & Publishing Prose

Letter Generator

The Letter Generator is a useful tool for students to learn the parts of a business or friendly letter and then compose and print letters for both styles of correspondence.

 

Grades   K – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Writing & Publishing Prose

Printing Press

The interactive Printing Press is designed to assist students in creating newspapers, brochures, and flyers.

 

Grades   K – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Organizing & Summarizing

Venn Diagram

This interactive tool allows students to create Venn diagrams that contain two or three overlapping circles, enabling them to organize their information logically.

 

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PRINTOUTS

• Venn Diagram Graphic Organizer
  
  
• Junk Mail Planning Sheet

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PREPARATION

• Invite family to collect and send in junk mail.
  
  
• Sort through junk mail to determine if any of it contains inappropriate content or personal information.
  
  
• Place about ten pieces of junk mail into a paper bag. Make enough bags for the number of groups you anticipate.
  
  
• Make copies of the Junk Mail Planning Sheet. If you’ll be completing the extension that analyzes junk mail sent to students’ homes, make copies of the Junk Mail Tracking Chart.
  
  
• Sign up for computer lab to use Venn Diagram tool or make copies of the Venn Diagram reproducible.
  
  
• Test the Venn Diagram, Letter Generator, and ReadWriteThink Printing Press on your computers to familiarize yourself with the tools and ensure that you have the Flash plug-in installed. You can download the plug-in from the technical support page.

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