Free Legacy Writing Methods Lesson Plan for 12th Grade Students

Topic: Legacy writing methods

Objectives & Outcomes

• Identify different methods of legacy writing, including letters, stories, and more.

Materials

• Various examples of legacy writing (such as letters, stories, etc.)
• Pen and paper for each student
• Optional: Projector and screen

Warm-up

• Ask students if they know what legacy writing is.
• Allow them to share their own experiences with legacy writing.
• Write the following phrase on the board: "

Legacy writing is writing that is meant to be passed on to future generations."

• Ask students to brainstorm ideas for different types of legacy writing. Write their ideas on the board.

Introduction

• Tell students that legacy writing can take many different forms, including letters, diaries, and stories.
• Explain that legacy writing is meant to be passed on to future generations for them to learn about and appreciate the experiences of those who came before them.
• Read the following quotes about legacy writing:
• “A letter is a gift, to be opened when it is fresh. A letter is a flower, to be pressed when it is fresh. A letter is a song, to be sung when it is fresh. But most of all, a letter is a gift, to be cherished forever.”
• “When you write a letter, you put something in an envelope, you put a stamp on it, and you drop it in a mailbox. When you write a story, you put yourself in an envelope, you put yourself in a box, and you throw yourself in the river.”
• “A letter is a gift, to be opened when it is fresh. A letter is a flower, to be pressed when it is fresh. A letter is a song, to be sung when it is fresh. But most of all, a letter is a gift, to be cherished forever.”
• “When you write a letter, you put something in an envelope, you put a stamp on it, and you drop it in a mailbox. When you write a story, you put yourself in an envelope, you put yourself in a box, and you throw yourself in the river.”
• Ask students to think about a letter, diary, or story that has been passed down in their family. Have them share their stories with the class.

Practice

• Distribute copies of the following writing prompts to the students.
• Ask them to brainstorm ideas and begin writing their responses.
• After 5-10 minutes, ask for volunteers to share their work with the class.
• As a class, discuss the different approaches and techniques used in the writing.
• Writing prompts:
• “If I could write a letter to my future self, I would…”
• “If I could write a letter to my younger self, I would…”
• “If I could write a letter to my grandparents, I would…”
• “If I could write a letter to my parents, I would…”
• “If I could write a letter to my great-grandparents, I would…”
• “If I could write a letter to my great-grandchildren, I would…”
• “If I could write a letter to myself

Guided Practice

• Divide the class into small groups.
• Give each group a collection of handwritten letters, diaries, and stories that have been passed down in their family.
• Have students read the letters, diaries, and stories, paying close attention to the writing style and tone.
• Have them brainstorm ideas for a legacy writing project that draws upon the style and tone of the letters, diaries, and stories they have read.
• Have them begin drafting their projects, with plenty of guidance and support from the teacher.
• After 30-45 minutes, have students share their projects with the class.
• Examples of legacy writing projects:
• A letter to a younger self
• A diary entry
• A story about a memorable family event or tradition
• A poem about something that is important to the writer's family
• A short comic strip about a memorable family event or tradition
• A collage of images and words that capture the writer's family history and identity

Independent Practice

• Have students choose one of the legacy writing projects they worked on in the guided practice and finish it.
• Encourage students to seek feedback on their projects from family members and other valued members of their community.
• Provide students with examples of legacy writing projects created by other students in the class.
• Have students choose one of the examples to critique and offer suggestions for improvement.

Closure

• Have students reflect on their experience creating a legacy writing project and the importance of leaving a personal legacy for future generations.
• Ask students to share their legacy writing project with the class and discuss the feedback they received and any changes they made based on the feedback.

Assessment

• Observe students during the process of creating their legacy writing project and provide feedback.
• Use the finished legacy writing project to assess students' ability to effectively communicate an idea, create a plan, and execute the plan to create a personal legacy for future generations.