After This Lesson You’ll Be Able To
- Tier 1: Identify the elements of a professional email or message.
- Tier 2: Write digital messages that use proper tone, clarity, and structure.
1. Kick-Off (2-3 min)
Prompt: What’s the difference between texting a friend and emailing a teacher or supervisor?
Goal: Highlight tone and professionalism in written communication.
2. Core Concepts (5-7 min)
| Term | What It Means | Practice Moves |
|---|---|---|
| Tone | The emotion or attitude behind words. | Read message aloud before sending. |
| Subject Line | A short summary of the email topic. | Make it specific: “Request for Project Feedback” |
| Professional Greeting | Polite opening that sets respectful tone. | “Good morning, Ms. Rivera,” instead of “Hey.” |
| Body & Clarity | The main message with details organized. | State purpose first, then key info. |
| Signature | Your sign-off with name and role. | “Best, Jordan Smith – 10th Grade Student” |
Mini Demo: Show a poorly written email and a professional rewrite. Discuss differences in tone, clarity, and structure.
3. Guided Work Time (12-15 min)
Tier 1 — “Fix the Email”
- Students edit 3 unprofessional messages.
- Identify tone and clarity issues.
Tier 2 — “Professional Message Challenge”
- Write a new message to a teacher or employer asking for clarification or feedback.
- Peer review using checklist.
4. Reflection (2-3 min)
Exit Ticket (Schoology or Paper):
- Why does tone matter in digital communication?
- What’s one rule you’ll use next time you email or message professionally?