My 5th graders completely SHOCKED me today...

We just finished our unit on writing business letters. At this point in the year, I oversee their writing, but pretty much let them take the wheel.

Well.

You should have seen the LUDICROUS mistakes they had in these letters. Not understanding that road names need to be capitalized. Not knowing that the company name goes on one line, the address on the next line, and the city, state and zip goes on the 3rd line.

But the biggest shocker of the day......

I told them to address their envelopes...and about half of them DID IT WRONG!!!!!! Like, didn't know where to put the mailing address, didn't know where to put the return address--and didn't know what information to put on the envelope! I had some kids that wrote their name and phone number!!!!!

WHAT is this world coming to??!!!!!!

Re: My 5th graders completely SHOCKED me today...

I teach HS SENIORS who do not know how to address an envelope, fill out an application etc. and I am not in a "bad" school. My school is "considered" good. I have to do an elementary school grammar unit with my 12th graders because I don't want to send them off to college without having at least tried...

Re: My 5th graders completely SHOCKED me today...

Unbelievable, isn't it? I told the other 5th grade teachers that I think we're going to have to start the year next year by teaching Friendly Letters. They looked at me like I was crazy--mostly because that's a 2nd grade objective!!!

Re: My 5th graders completely SHOCKED me today...

The woman across the hall teaches letter writing/adressing to the 7th graders and they are clueless!!!

Re: My 5th graders completely SHOCKED me today...

Time to take back the wheel.

Re: My 5th graders completely SHOCKED me today...

Unfortunately it is a skill that a lot of students lack. When I give out my student info cards, some of the kids don't even know their addresses and phone numbers let alone how to write it on an envelope! It is so sad!