Level 1 • Lesson 29 — Writing a short message

Objective

I can write a simple short message with a greeting, message sentence, important detail, closing, and my name.

Materials

Pencil and eraser
Small pieces of paper or sticky notes (for real messages)
Ruled paper (primary lines if needed)
Tracing Pad (below)
(Optional) Tape or magnet to stick notes on a door or fridge

Mini-lesson — What is a short message?

A short message is a tiny note that gives someone important information.

We can write short messages when we want to tell:

where we are (I am at the park.)
when something will happen (Practice ends at 5.)
what we are doing (I am at Grandma's.)

Many short messages have five parts:

Greeting — who it is to (Hi Mom, or Dear Dad,)
Message — what you want to say
Important detail — time, place, or what will happen
Closing — friendly ending (Love, or From,)
Name — your name

Example message:

Hi Dad,
I am playing at Mia's house.
I will be home at 4 o'clock.
From,
Leo

Short messages are not long stories. We choose the most important idea and write it clearly.

Picture strip: "Parts of a short message"

Guided Practice — Plan one short message

Use the Tracing Pad to warm up with message words. Then write your own short message on paper.

Choose who it is for: Will you write to Mom, Dad, Grandma, or a friend?
Trace message words: On the Tracing Pad, choose short words like Hi, Mom, home, park, today, or back and trace them slowly.
Plan with your voice: Say out loud:
- your greeting,
- your main message,
- one important detail (time or place),
- your closing and name.
Write on paper: On your ruled paper, write:
- Line 1: greeting (Hi Mom,)
- Line 2: message sentence
- Line 3: important detail sentence
- Line 4: closing (Love,)
- Line 5: your name
Check your message: Does it have all five parts? Is it neat and easy to read?
Optional: Stick your message on a door or fridge so someone can really read it.

The Tracing Pad is only for warm-up. Your finished message must be written on your paper.

Tracing Pad

Lines Trace

Pen

Drag & Drop — Put the message in order

Each set has five lines from one short message: greeting, message, important detail, closing, and name. Drag the lines into the best order.

On the device:
For each message, drag the five lines into the boxes to make a complete short message in order.

On paper:
Choose three finished messages and copy all five lines on your ruled paper. Keep each part on its own line in your best handwriting.

Hi Mom, I am staying at school. We finish at 3:30. See you soon, Sam

Hi Dad, I am at the library. I will read with Mia. Love, Lena

Hi Mom, I am safe with Grandma. We are baking cookies. Love, Noah

Hi Dad, I am at soccer practice. Practice ends at 5. See you later, Omar

Hi Mom, I am sleeping over at Mia's. We will eat dinner and play. Love, Ella

Quick Check — Writing a short message

Answer each question about short messages. This is a gentle 10-question check.

What is a short message?

A long story with many pages A tiny note that gives someone important information Only a picture with no words

Which is a good reason to write a short message?

To copy the alphabet To practice drawing a cat To tell your parent where you are and when you will be back

How should you start a short message?

With a greeting like "Hi Mom," With "Give me that," With "The end,"

In a short message, what should your main sentence tell?

Your favorite color The most important thing you want to say Every dream you ever had

Which sentence is an important detail for a message?

I like cake. The dog can jump. I will be home at 4 o'clock.

Which line is a good closing for a message?

From, Leo I want pizza. The end now.

Why should you use polite words like "please" and "thank you" in a message?

To make someone feel bad To show that you are kind and respectful To make the message confusing

Why should you write your name at the end of a message?

So the paper is longer So nobody knows who it is from So the reader knows who wrote the message

What should your sentences be like in a short message?

Very long with many extra ideas Short and clear Only one giant word

How can you check if your short message makes sense?

Read it aloud and listen if it sounds clear Turn the paper upside down Scribble over the words

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Can explain that a short message is a tiny note that gives someone information Uses a greeting that shows who the message is for Includes a clear message sentence and at least one important detail (time or place) Uses a friendly closing and writes their name Writes neatly enough that the message is easy to read quickly

Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can write a short message by myself. 🙂 I can write a short message, but I want more practice. 😅 Writing short messages still feels a bit tricky.

Next time I will…

Use a greeting and a closing in my messages Tell the main idea in one clear sentence Add a time or place detail Keep my handwriting neat so my note is easy to read

Lesson 29: Writing a short message