# Lesson 29: Writing a short message

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

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## 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:

1. Greeting — who it is to (Hi Mom, or Dear Dad,)
2. Message — what you want to say
3. Important detail — time, place, or what will happen
4. Closing — friendly ending (Love, or From,)
5. 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.

1. Choose who it is for: Will you write to Mom, Dad, Grandma, or a friend?
2. Trace message words: On the Tracing Pad, choose short words like Hi, Mom, home, park, today, or back and trace them slowly.
3. Plan with your voice: Say out loud:
   - your greeting,
   - your main message,
   - one important detail (time or place),
   - your closing and name.
4. 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
5. Check your message: Does it have all five parts? Is it neat and easy to read?
6. 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
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