This theme is meant to give an insight
into each other's daily life. By keeping a diary the children will share
the experience of an ordinary school day and a Saturday.
They have to write down what they
do every half hour of these days. Not only factual information, but they
must also be encouraged to put their feelings about certain situations
into writing as well.
For instance:
07:00 : Got out of bed. I
hate getting up early.
07:30 : Breakfast. I only eat
toast in the mornings. I just had an argument with my brother about his
using the shower too long.
08:00 : I go to school on foot.
The weather is nice.
08:30 : English. My favourite
subject! I forgot to do my homework but the teacher didn't check. Lucky
me!
Emphasize that it is very important
to add the extra comments. This will give their pals a good image of how
they experience every-day life.
As with every letter, remind the
pupils to react to the letter they received last and to add their own news.
As with the "Details letter", it
is a good idea to keep a diary yourself and to send it to your colleague.
OPTIONS:
1.
Let them keep a diary as suggested
above.
2.
Use one hour periods instead
of half hour ones
3.
Let them report what they did
in one day instead of two.
4.
Suggest
to use the same model applied to some “special days” (a
festival, the first/last day of school, a birthday...) and ask
partners to work on it as well. It could be interesting to see
the differences in celebrating or spending occasions. Guide
them in understanding particular traditions or cultural aspects
they don’t know. Pictures/ drawings can always be added to the
diaries.
Decide, together with your colleague,
which option you will use before you start on this letter.
Letter 6:
My Diary