Write a Letter to Thoko

• Students write a letter to Thoko, the main character in the book Saving Planet Earthly, describing what they will do to help the Earth.

Positives

• This is a fun way of introducing kids to letter writing.
• Students are empowered to take action to help fight climate change.

Additional Prerequisites

• Students must read Saving Planet Earthly before writing a letter to Thoko. Teachers can use this lesson plan to read the book aloud with their class.
• Since the book is a digital copy, the teacher should consider the most appropriate way of making it available (projected or individual devices). 
• As indicated in the teacher's guide, it may be best to provide a framework that will guide students in writing the letter.

Differentiation

• Teachers can email their students' digitized letters to [email protected]. This can be great extrinsic motivation for students.
• Teachers can guide students through a peer-review process to help students get feedback and improve their writing.
• Students can read their letters out loud to their class or post them around the classroom to read.
• Some of the letters can be published in a school newspaper or on the school website.
• Handwriting Practice With Earthly is another lesson that pairs with the same children's book.
• For older or more advanced students, consider this lesson where students write to their energy minister.