# Lesson 30: Writing a postcard

✍️ WRITING (40 Lessons) • 🟣 D. Functional Writing

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## Objective

I can write a simple postcard with a greeting, a short message about a place, an important detail, a closing, and my name.

## Materials

- Pencil and eraser
- Small card or half sheet of cardstock (for the postcard)
- Crayons or markers (for the picture)
- Ruled paper (primary lines if needed)
- Tracing Pad (below)

## Mini-lesson — What is a postcard?

A postcard is a small card you can send or give to someone to tell them about a place or a trip.

Most postcards have two sides:

- One side has a picture of a place or fun scene.
- The other side has the writing and the address.

On the writing side, we can use five parts:

1. Greeting — who it is to (Dear Mom, or Hi Grandma,)
2. Message — what you want to say about the place or trip
3. Important detail — a time, a place, or a fun fact
4. Closing — friendly ending (Love, or From,)
5. Name — your name

Example postcard message:

- Dear Dad,
- I am at the beach with Grandma.
- The sun is warm and the water is blue.
- Love,
- Mia

Postcards are short and cheerful. We pick one clear idea to share and write it neatly.

Picture strip: "Parts of a postcard"

## Guided Practice — Plan one postcard

Use the Tracing Pad to warm up with postcard words. Then draw and write your own postcard on paper.

1. Choose your place: Will your postcard be from the beach, the park, the zoo, or a fun trip?
2. Trace postcard words: On the Tracing Pad, choose short words like Dear, Hi, beach, park, sunny, or trip and trace them slowly.
3. Plan with your voice: Say out loud:
   - your greeting,
   - a short message about the place,
   - one detail (what you see, hear, or feel),
   - your closing and name.
4. Draw the picture: On one side of your card, draw a picture of the place. Add small details like sun, water, or animals.
5. Write the postcard message: On the other side (or on your ruled paper), write:
   - Line 1: greeting (Dear Mom,)
   - Line 2: message sentence
   - Line 3: detail sentence
   - Line 4: closing (Love,)
   - Line 5: your name
6. Check your postcard: Does it have all five parts? Is the writing neat and easy to read?

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

Tracing Pad
Lines
Trace
Pen

## Drag & Drop — Put the postcard in order

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

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

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

Dear Mom, I am at the beach. The sun is warm and bright. Love, Leo
Dear Dad, I am at the zoo. The lions are roaring. From, Omar
Hi Grandma, I am playing at the park. The trees are big and green. Love, Ella
Dear Grandpa, I am with my cousin. We made a big snowman. From, Sam
Hi Auntie, I am in the desert. The sand is hot. From, Zara

## Quick Check — Writing a postcard

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

#### What is a postcard?

A very long storybook A small card with a picture and a short message Only a plain blank paper

#### Why might you write a postcard?

To ask for homework answers To copy the alphabet many times To tell someone about a place or a trip

#### How should you start a postcard?

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

#### What should the message line tell in a postcard?

Every snack you ate this week The most important thing about the place or trip A list of all your toys

#### Which sentence is a good detail for a beach postcard?

I lost my pencil. The dog is in the yard. The sun is warm and the water is blue.

#### How should you end a postcard?

With "Love," or "From," and your name With a big scribble With no name at all

#### What should the picture on a postcard usually show?

A random shape with no meaning The place or fun scene you are writing about Only your favorite letter

#### How long should your sentences be on a postcard?

Very long with many extra ideas Only one giant word Short and clear so they fit on the card

#### Why does your writing need to be neat on a postcard?

So the reader can easily read your message So nobody can read it So you can scribble over the stamp

#### How can you check if your postcard makes sense?

Fold it many times and put it away Read it aloud and listen if it sounds clear and friendly Color over all the words

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Can explain that a postcard is a small card with a picture on one side and a short message on the other Uses a greeting that shows who the postcard is for Writes a clear message sentence about a place or trip Includes at least one important detail (such as weather, what they see, or what they did) Uses a friendly closing and writes their name Writes neatly enough that the postcard is easy to read quickly

## Exit ticket (student)

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

#### Next time I will…

Use a greeting and a closing on my postcard Tell one clear idea about the place or trip Add a time or place detail Keep my handwriting neat so my postcard is easy to read
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