Letters Regarding Our Level of Stress

For today, I want everyone to get into groups and proceed as though you plan to write a letter. If you choose to do a project of your own devising, that's fine. This exercise will still be useful. To get into groups: Stand up, grab your journal and a pen/pencil, then go to one of the following areas, depending on who you want to address your letter to. If you're undecided, choose the group you think makes the most sense for now. You can switch later, if you want. 

• Family/Parent(s)/Guardian(s) in the northeast corner
• Teacher(s)/Mentor(s) in the northwest corner
• ME/Ourselves in the southeast corner
• Fellow student(s) in the southwest corner

If there are more than about six people in your corner, divide into smaller groups. Once you have groups of six (or maybe seven) or fewer, stake out an area of the room or hallway (don't disturb other classes going on!) and discuss the ideas below and write briefly in your journal after each short section of discussion, taking notes during the discussion as it makes sense to do so. (Everyone will be writing their own letter, if you choose to do a letter for your fourth quarter project––this is just brainstorming.)

• First, imagine who this letter will be addressed to. Discuss with your small group the possible ways you could envision this person or people. If you are in the “Parent group,” do you want to address your letter to a single parent or guardian? Both parents? Your parents, your grandparents, and the aunt who tutors you in Calculus? If you’re in the “Other students” group, do you want to speak to all of your classmates, a few in particular, a single peer who best exemplifies stress-inducing behavior and/or beliefs? Decide and write down who your letter will be addressed to.
• Next, discuss with your group what your goals will be in writing this letter. Imagine that the person/people it’s addressed to will see it. What do you want them to understand? What changes do you hope reading it might affect in their attitudes or behaviors? After you’ve talked this over with your group, write down some goals.
• Next, what do you want to say? What examples might you give? Is there one major example or anecdote you’d like to center the letter around? Brainstorm some ideas with your group and note down any that seem promising.
• Finally, consider what tone you’d like to strike. What are the possible advantages and disadvantages of various tonal options you have? Discuss this with your group, then describe in a brief paragraph the tone you think you’d like to strike. 

If you have time, get started, in your journal, on a very rough draft of your letter. If you don't get through all four areas above, you'll have time to finish at the start of class tomorrow.