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Pen Pals
Fifth graders become pen pals from other countries and research their countries for information that help with their writing. This information is then sent to another student who is also portraying someone from another country.
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Out of Old England in the 1630s-Flat Me Project
Learners write letters to penpals. In this geography/literacy lesson, students become penpals with a classroom in England to learn about customs and society across the ocean. Flat Stanley by Will Holton is read aloud, and learners...
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Rock Swap
Students collect rocks found locally and write a brief description which includes the name of the rock, whether the rock is sedimentary, metamorphic, or igneous, and what uses the rock has. They exchange rocks with another class in...
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Message in a Bottle
Young scholars acquire a pen pal in a foreign country and write letters at least twice a month throughout the year to exchange with them. At the end of the year, they write an essay that compares one important difference and one...
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You've Got Mail
First graders study the postal system and letter writing. They exchange class letters with another class in a different area and become pen pals with residents in a local nursing home.
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Pen Pal Letters to Soldiers Overseas
Students write letters to soldiers overseas with correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization. They learn three facts about the geography of the area where the pen pal is located and about the pen pal.
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Newsletters to International Penpals/Keypals
Students participate in an intercultural E-mail exchange throughout a semester. They send newsletter to international penpals/keypals.
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Email Buddies
Collaborate with another class (or school) and have your learners share ideas about their reading through the use of email. Perhaps you'll create a specific question or a few questions for writers to choose from. Not only will they...
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Pen Pal Project
Second graders write letters to a pen pal in proper letter form. In this writing instructional activity, 2nd graders discuss why they would write to a pen pal, brainstorm the elements that should appear in their letters, then write the...
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Mystery Pen Pal
Students investigate different cities and states in the USA, and practice their letter writing skills while corresponding with a pen pal.
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Cans Make a Difference
Learners design a service-learning project with pen pals. In this philanthropy lesson, students research various charitable organizations with a pen pal and collect cans in order to get money for a donation. Learners write to their pen...
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Enhancing Friendships Through Photography
Students connect with pen pals through photography. In this digital photography lesson, students create photo booklets to share with pen pals. Students correspond with their pen pals throughout the school year. Students also create...
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Biomes of The World
Learners research different biomes, using links from global pen pal letters.
Apple State University
Friendly Letter Mini-Lesson
This mini-instructional activity about informal letter writing is packed with a lot of information about writing a friendly letter. Class members begin by working in pairs to answer questions after reviewing letter models. Then, take...
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Do It Write
Students investigate types of communities. In this communities lesson, students read the book The Country Mouse and City Mouse and identify the characteristics of the city and country. Students participate in a pen-pal program with a...
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Pen Pal Party
Second graders write letters to students in other areas of the state, country or world focusing on using the correct friendly letter form. They describe their lives and ask questions to explore someone else's life.
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E-Pal Adventure
Eighth graders develop online writing relationships with students from another area in their state. They write weekly regarding assigned topics, including researching information about the area in which they live.
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Biome Exchange - Send the "Stuff" Not The Kids
Students exchange ecological information with students from different geographic biomes. They box up the "unique ecologically significant features" of their area, send the box to another class in another area and then receive a similar...
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Photo Link
Second graders write correct letters to their pen pals and improve their grammar, handwriting, capitalization, punctuation, and ability to construct complete sentences.
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E-Mail Mentor Project
Students use e-mail to introduce themselves, ask for and receive advice and information on certain school concerns, and share information on activities they enjoy with other students from other schools.
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Internet Pen Pals
Students write letters to e-mail pals and respond to letters received. Students describe the geography of their community to their pals.
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Quilting Canada
Young scholars explain the symbols of Canada and their relevance. In this Canada lesson, students read Oh Canada and exchange pen-pal letters with young scholars in Canada. Students create a class quilt with Canadian...
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Excel, Word, and Basketball
Wow, this instructional activity packs a punch. Pupils interview basketball players, write about a game, and use Excel to organize statistics related to the players and the points scored. Afterward, they create posters, presentations,...
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Computer Pals
Students are introduced to using computers as a means of developing communication skills within an authentic context. Students communicate with each other and share ideas via e-mail or other types of computer appllications.