Core Skills Analysis
Language Arts
- Atlanta practiced formal writing skills by composing polite and inviting invitations, enhancing her understanding of tone and audience.
- The activity helped develop her vocabulary and sentence structure as she crafted clear, concise messages appropriate for a social event.
- By focusing on the specific audience of widows, she learned to tailor her language and content to the interests and sensitivities of a particular group.
- She engaged in purposeful writing, which supports the development of planning and organizing ideas coherently.
Social-Emotional Learning
- Atlanta demonstrated empathy and social awareness by considering the feelings and social inclusion of widows through the invitations.
- She practiced kindness and community-building intentions, which can foster a sense of connection and care for others.
- The task encouraged perspective-taking, prompting her to think about what would make the widows feel welcome and valued.
- Engaging with this socially conscious activity likely nurtured her understanding of social roles and relationships.
Tips
To deepen Atlanta's learning from this invitation-writing activity, encourage her to explore the cultural and historical significance of tea parties and social gatherings, particularly in relationship to widows. Engage her in a research project or discussion about why invitations are important and how social events build community. Next, guide her through revising her invitations with feedback focusing on tone and clarity, fostering editing skills. Additionally, consider role-playing scenarios where she practices verbally inviting guests, reinforcing communication and interpersonal skills. Finally, creating a small mock tea party or planning the event details could integrate organizational and creative thinking.
Book Recommendations
- The Invitation by Zetta Elliott: A story about extending kindness and inclusion through a heartfelt invitation, emphasizing community and friendship.
- Aunt Flossie's Hats (and Crab Cakes Later) by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard: Explores social gatherings and family traditions that can inspire attitudes around inviting and welcoming others.
- The Remarkable Farkle McBride by John Lithgow: A creative and humorous book that encourages self-expression and communication—skills tied to writing invitations.
Learning Standards
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2 – Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas clearly.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.4 – Produce clear and coherent writing appropriate to task and audience.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1 – Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with varied partners on grade 5 topics and texts.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.3 – Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
Try This Next
- Create a worksheet for drafting and revising invitations focused on tone, word choice, and clarity.
- Design a writing prompt where Atlanta imagines and describes the tea party itself, including what activities and refreshments might be welcomed.