A large manila envelope arrives in my classroom about once a quarter. Even though it is addressed to me, my students know that stuffed inside are handwritten letters just for them. The letters are from a classroom in another part of the country from kids they’ve never met in person.
Pen pal writing is one of my favorite writing exercises for my classroom. Students are engaged in reading and understanding, they are motivated to write a response letter, and they have fun while learning. Not only are they learning how to format a friendly letter, they are also learning about another place and another culture. A new element I’ve added to pen pals this year is video. Videos are easy to send via email, teacher to teacher.
I teach fourth and fifth graders in Washington state. We have mild weather, but we get a lot of rain. We have mountains, rivers, and lush, green forests. In my area, American football is the sport to be excited about. Most of my students are Caucasian and have English as their first and only language. Some of my students have visited other states nearby. A few have even visited Canada.
2,000 miles away in Texas, a group of third and fourth graders write letters to my students. These students are used to lots of sunshine, gentle rolling hills dotted with old oak trees, and swimming pools in every neighborhood. Soccer is easily the favorite sport. The majority of students at that school are Hispanic and most are bilingual. Many students have not visited other states, but they have visited relatives in Mexico or Central America.
Although it would be ideal for students to write to children in other countries, students can learn a lot from students in other parts of their own country. The minute we receive their letters, my classroom comes alive with questions:
“Do they have electricity in Texas?”
“My pen pal doesn’t watch football! Can we still be friends?”
“What’s a quinceanera?”
Students are pleasantly surprised to discover similarities with each other, and sometimes frustrated or confused by their differences. In person, learning about a difference can sometimes spoil a potential friendship, but writing letters is a safe way to continue learning about each other. It allows a certain degree of anonymity. Students don’t know if their pen pal is rich, poor, popular, shy, disabled, or how they fix their hair. It is refreshing to have a relationship without superficial judgments.
Pen pal letters are easily the favorite writing assignment for my students and myself. My students are motivated to write, enjoy the process, and have the opportunity to make friends with children they are unlikely to ever meet. As a teacher, I enjoy reading the letters to their pen pals and helping them come up with things to talk about or discuss. They learn so much more than grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Pen pal writing allows my students a window into someone else’s life. They have a chance to see the world a little bit differently, and all through the excitement of receiving a letter in the mail.
Note: Article written and posted in English
Author
Lori Rusek
Lori Rusek is currently serving as the 4th and 5th grade teacher at Northwest Christian School in Puyallup, USA.
26 comments
I’m impressed by this method which helps kids to learn through writing penpals. I am a retired teacher and now work as Education Director at Conference and Union level in Mauritius, Indian Ocean. I think that this assignment can help christian students from different countries share their experiences and remain connected to God. Thank you for sharing.
Like to penpal with you to create more speaking
In english
I am a Primary Sabbath School leader in a small church in Browns Mills, NJ. I would like to introduce my class to a Pen Pal Program (foreign or domestic). Do you have any ideas or suggestions I can use?
Greg H.
I have two homeschool girls that would like to have a penpal if you have any student your way let us know the girls:
Maria Gladden she’s in fourth grade
Alexia Gladden who is in second grade
My email address is antlers [email protected] my physical address is PO Box 220, Silver Lake Oregon
I am a church elder at my local church Mtakuja in Tanzania. I am lmpressed with the pen pal system let us pray to God thda it shoujl be away to bring many to Christ
Amen!
Hi, I am a Spanish teacher from SDA School in Virgin Islands and I am looking for a group of Students from one Adventist School who can speak Spanish and wants to share with us their language and culture, as exchange we can help them to improve their English and know more about our culture. Could someone help me to make this challenge possible?
Looking for penpals for my daughters 9 and 11 years
Hello, I’m from Papua New Guinea in the Pacific. I’m a Children Ministry Leader in our local church. And I’m looking for pan pals for the Children within the ages of 10 – 16 years old. Please contact me via email.
[email protected]
Have you already found a penpal for your younger daughter? My daughter who will be turning 12 in November this year is also looking for a penpal
Hi! Am new here. My name is Eric from Ghana. Am a theological student but wish to join this group please let me here from you.
Welcome, Eric! You are always invited to comment and participate.
In my growing up years, I had a penpal from Newfoundland but we lost touch somewhere down the line. We had found each other in a Guide magazine. I think it is a great way to introduce people to other cultures.
I wonder if there are adults interested in being penpals for the sole purpose of exchanging ideas. I think it would be great.
Thats a good idea, me, at my age I still would like to wrte letters to my penpal if I could find one.
Mila 65
Still seeking penpal(s) in a foreign country who can communicate in English with my 5th grade daughter here in USA. Please advise. Thank you!!
[email protected]
I am looking for someone who will help me with a set of machines to be used for Evangelism.
Hi there! Looking for a penpal between ages 15-18 from any country. Would love to get in touch and encourage one another in our faith. Pls contact me via [email protected]
I teach at a local Seventh-day Adventist owned and operated educational institution in Jamaica. Can this be instituted for my class as well? I teach one of the two grade 4 classes at my school. I would like to expose the children to something of this nature. I will need to share the idea with my principal. I don’t imagine either she or the parents will mind, but if it is possible, I wish to find out, then take it to their attention.
Adventist Teacher Connect on the Adventist Learning Community is a great way to connect with other teachers around the world! Your classrooms can even do projects together.
I am a seventh- Day Adventist from Ghana and my name is Eva am seeking for a penpal between the age of 30- 40 .in other to encourage our self in one faith as we prepare our selves for the coming of the lord
This sounds like a great way for children across the world to learn about each other. How do l get my son a pen pal who is 13 on the 1st of April. He is home schooled.
Hello,
Yes, I agree this is a great way for children to communicate who are home schooled.
My granddaughter is home schooled and would enjoy to have a pen pal.
Looking forward to hear from you.
Lisa
Hi, I am a Seventh Day Adventist from Philippines. I’m looking for someone to do sponsorship of a university/college freshmen student this coming opening class 2023-2024 to continuing study in our own church school. Lets Continue serving God through Evangelism as do same… Please contact me directly. God bless you always.
Hi I am homeschooling mom and I am looking for penpals for my daughters.
Hopefully you may be able to direct me to the right contact person
Hello,
I am Carolyne Andiva from Kenya. I am 41 years old with 4 kids looking for penpals from across the world for my 6 years old daughter, 11 years old daughter, 15 years old son and 18 years old daughter. May God bless you.