Good Advice
By Lisa S. Dryden

When my triplet daughters were in the fifth grade and wrote the advice column for their school newspaper, I discovered giving advice can motivate reluctant writers. This realization prompted me to bring this style of writing into the classroom. I learned that students can write "Dear Abby" type letters to troubled characters found in children's literature and offer them advice to their problems. My undergraduate students experimented with these activities when working with first, second and third graders. The kids enjoyed the letter-writing activities and were eager to give their advice and suggestions.

Take the teddy bear. One of our most successful writing activities was with Bernard Waber's delightful story, Ira Sleeps Over (Houghton Mifflin, 1975). Ira is torn between leaving his teddy bear at home or taking it to his first sleepover. After discussing Ira's predicament, we asked students to write a letter offering their advice about the teddy bear. Overwhelmingly, students wrote to Ira and advised that he take his teddy bear.

We also used Margie Palatini's silly story, Moosetache (Hyperion, 1999) as a springboard for letter writing. Moose has an uncontrollable moustache and eventually seeks help for his "moostache" problem. We asked students to write Moose a letter offering their suggestions for controlling the moustache. Students' hilarious suggestions ranged from ponytails to braids and headbands.

Students also enjoyed the humorous story, The Cow Who Wouldn't Come Down by Paul Brett Johnson (Orchard Books, 1993). Gertrude, the flying cow, refuses to come down from the sky. Her owner, Miss Rosemary, must devise a plan to get Gertrude to return to the ground and her farm duties. Halfway through the book, we asked students to write a letter to Miss Rosemary and share their suggestions for how to get Gertrude to return to the farm. Again, reluctant writers showed enthusiasm as they composed detailed letters to Miss Rosemary.

Endless opportunities. The opportunities for this approach to letter writing are truly endless. There are also many wonderful stories appropriate to use with your older students as well. For example, students can write a letter to India in Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (Candlewick Press, 2001) and suggest ways for her to make friends in a new town. Ask your students to read Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1985) and write to Winnie and advise her as to whether or not she should drink from the secret spring water that gives eternal life. Drawing upon details contained in stories aids students in the development of inferential, critical and evaluative thinking. Good luck!

Lisa S. Dryden is a professor of education specializing in teacher preparation and literacy instruction for elementary students at Texas Wesleyan University.

May 2005, Vol.35, No.8