Email Etiquette: Pro! Teacher Script

Warm-Up: Think-Pair-Share (5 minutes)

(Teacher distributes Professional Email Warm-Up worksheet)

Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something super important for your success, both now and in the future: how to write professional emails. Before we dive in, I want you to take a couple of minutes to think. Look at the prompt on your warm-up sheet: 'Think about a time you sent an email (to a teacher, coach, or someone important). What made it easy or hard? What did you want to make sure you communicated?' Take about two minutes to jot down some quick thoughts individually."

(Allow 2 minutes for individual reflection)

Teacher: "Alright, now that you've had a moment to think, I'd like you to turn to a partner and share your thoughts. What did you write down? What were some of your experiences? You'll have about two minutes for this."

(Allow 2 minutes for pair sharing)

Teacher: "Okay, let's bring it back together. Can a few pairs share one or two key things you discussed? What were some common challenges or things you really wanted to make sure you communicated?"

(Call on 2-3 pairs to share, briefly affirm their responses.)

Introduction to Professional Emails (Slide Deck & Script) (10 minutes)

(Teacher transitions to Email Etiquette: Pro! Slide Deck - Slide 1: 'Email Etiquette: Pro!')

Teacher: "Excellent job getting our brains warmed up! Today, we're going to become 'Email Etiquette Pros.' We'll learn how to write emails that make a great impression, get your message across clearly, and help you succeed in school and beyond."

(Teacher transitions to Slide 2: 'When Do We Use Them?')

Teacher: "So, when do you think you'll actually need to use professional emails? Take a look at these examples. Has anyone sent an email in one of these situations, or can you think of another?"

(Allow for a few student responses, confirming the relevance.)

Teacher: "Exactly! Professional emails are a part of almost every aspect of your life now and will be even more so in the future. So, let's break down the key parts of a professional email."

(Teacher transitions to Slide 3: '1. Subject Line: The Sneak Peek')

Teacher: "First up: The Subject Line. Think of this as the 'sneak peek' or the 'headline' of your email. What's the biggest takeaway from this slide?"

(Listen for: Clear & Concise, Specific.)

Teacher: "Why do you think it's so important for a subject line to be clear and specific? What happens if it's vague, like just 'Question'?"

(Allow responses: Gets deleted, sender doesn't know what it's about, seems unimportant.)

Teacher: "Right! A good subject line tells the recipient exactly what the email is about, so they know whether to open it and what to expect. It helps them prioritize. Always include key details, like your name and class if you're emailing a teacher."

(Teacher transitions to Slide 4: '2. Greeting: Say Hello Professionally')

Teacher: "Next, the greeting. This sets the tone for your whole email. What's the main idea here about how we greet someone professionally?"

(Listen for: Formal, respectful.)

Teacher: "When should you use 'Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],' versus 'Hi [First Name],'?"

(Guide them to understand formality depends on relationship and context. Emphasize double-checking spelling.)

(Teacher transitions to Slide 5: '3. Body: The Main Message')

Teacher: "The body of your email is where you deliver your message. What are the three most important things to remember when writing the main message of your email?"

(Listen for: State purpose, provide details, keep it brief, proofread.)

Teacher: "Think about it like this: if someone is busy, they want to quickly understand what you need. How can using clear, concise language help with that?"

(Allow responses about saving time, avoiding confusion.)

Teacher: "And why is proper grammar and spelling so crucial in a professional email?"

(Allow responses: Shows respect, intelligence, credibility.)

(Teacher transitions to Slide 6: '4. Closing & Signature: The Farewell')

Teacher: "After you've conveyed your message, it's time to sign off professionally. What should always be included in your closing and signature?"

(Listen for: Polite closing, full name, relevant info like class/ID.)

Teacher: "Why do you think it's important to include your full name and other relevant info, especially when emailing a teacher?"

(Allow responses: Helps them identify you, especially with common names.)

(Teacher transitions to Slide 7: 'Tone: Your Email's Personality')

Teacher: "Now, let's talk about tone. Your email doesn't have a voice, so how do you make sure your 'email personality' comes across as professional and polite?"

(Guide discussion on word choice, avoiding all caps, exclamation points.)

Teacher: "Have you ever gotten a message or email where the tone felt wrong? What happened?"

(Allow for brief anecdotes, highlighting misinterpretations.)

Teacher: "The best way to check your tone is to read your email aloud before sending it. Does it sound how you want it to?"

(Teacher transitions to Slide 8: 'Common Mistakes to AVOID!')

Teacher: "Finally, let's quickly review some common mistakes to avoid. Scan this list. Which one do you think is the most common mistake people make, and why?"

(Allow a few students to share their opinions and reasoning.)

Teacher: "These are all great points. Remember, a little attention to detail can go a long way in making a positive impression!"

Guided Practice: Writing a Professional Email (10 minutes)

(Teacher transitions to Slide 9: 'Let's Practice!')

(Teacher distributes Professional Email Practice worksheet)

Teacher: "Okay, it's time to put your new skills to the test! I've given you a worksheet with a scenario. Your task is to write a professional email responding to that scenario, applying everything we've just discussed: a clear subject line, a professional greeting, a concise body, and a proper closing and signature. I'll be walking around to help you, so don't hesitate to ask questions."

(Allow students to work for about 8 minutes. Circulate, provide feedback, and answer questions. If some finish early, encourage them to proofread their email carefully.)

Wrap-Up & Cool Down (5 minutes)

(Teacher transitions to Slide 10: 'You're a Pro!')

Teacher: "Fantastic work on your practice emails, everyone! Before we wrap up, I want to hear from you. What's one key thing you'll remember about writing professional emails from today's lesson, or one common mistake you'll make sure to avoid?"

(Call on a few students to share.)

Teacher: "To finish up, I'm going to hand out an exit ticket. It's called the Email Etiquette: Pro! Cool Down. Please complete it individually before you leave. It's a quick way for me to see what stuck with you today."

(Distribute cool-down slips. Collect them as students exit.)

Teacher: "Thank you, class! You are now all well on your way to becoming Email Etiquette Pros!"

Professional Email Warm-Up

Instructions: Take a few minutes to think about the prompt below. Then, you will share your thoughts with a partner.

Prompt:

Think about a time you sent an email (to a teacher, coach, or someone important like a school administrator or a potential employer).

1. What made writing that email easy or hard?
   
   
   
   
   
2. What did you want to make sure you communicated clearly in your email?
   
   
   
   
   

Professional Email Practice

Instructions: Read the scenario below. Then, on the lines provided, draft a professional email using all the tips and tricks we discussed today. Remember to include a clear subject line, a professional greeting, a concise body, and a proper closing/signature.

Scenario:

You are a 10th-grade student named Alex Johnson in Mr. Harrison's 4th-period English class. You were absent yesterday and missed a pop quiz. You checked the online portal, but you can't find information about making up the quiz. You want to respectfully ask Mr. Harrison how you can schedule a time to take the make-up quiz.

Draft Your Email Below:

To: Mr. Harrison

Subject:

Body:

Closing:

Signature:

Self-Check:

Before you finish, review your email using these questions:

• Is the subject line clear and specific?
• Is your greeting professional?
• Is your message clear and concise?
• Did you include all necessary details (your name, class, what you need)?
• Is your closing polite and does it include your full name and class information?
• Did you proofread for any spelling or grammar errors?

Email Etiquette: Pro! Cool Down

Instructions: Please answer the following questions to reflect on what you learned today. This is your exit ticket!

1. What is one new tip or trick you learned about writing professional emails today?
   
   
   
   
   
2. What is one common email mistake you will make sure to avoid in the future?
   
   
   
   
   
3. Why do you think it is important to write professional emails?