teachers - who have pen pals...

[luvmyfam444]

where did you get the class you write? How often do you write? Any special things you want to tell me about? DD's class wants to do this & I'm in charge (with the teacher's help of course)

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I know schools that got their penpals from another elementary school in their district. One class would write to the other class.

 

[minkydog]

Christian's severe/profound class has penpals from a mild-moderate class in another school. His teachers know a special ed teacher over there and they exchange letters about once a month. Christian is non-verbal, but he "writes" using a picture system. Usually it's something like "Dear Tai, Fall is here. The leaves are changing color. I like the red leaves best. Soon it will be cool outside. We will need to wear a jacket. Love, Christian" Tai writes parts of his letter himself--he is verbal and has learned his letters. So he writes "Dear Christian, We have a pumpkin in our class. It is orange. Pumpkins mean fall is here. We will cut the pumpkin open and take out the seeds. We will bake the seeds in the oven and eat them for snack. Love, Tai" Twice a year, the classes meet in county wide events. The school system holds a dance and a field day for students in Mild to Profound classes. Usually these classes will partner up for games,etc. So over the last 4 years, they've actually gotten to know each other.

 

[MM27]

If you go over to Proteacher.com and go to the boards, they have one called The Post Office. There are tons of teachers on there already that are looking for pen pals, or you can put up your own post asking for them for your class. I'm not doing them this year, but I have in the past. One year we got a dud class (or rather teacher) and they never wrote back after the first time. The last one I did though was with a teacher in Vancouver and we had the kids sending letters back and forth about once a month for the entire year.

 

[luvmyfam444]

Christian's severe/profound class has penpals from a mild-moderate class in another school. His teachers know a special ed teacher over there and they exchange letters about once a month. Christian is non-verbal, but he "writes" using a picture system. Usually it's something like "Dear Tai, Fall is here. The leaves are changing color. I like the red leaves best. Soon it will be cool outside. We will need to wear a jacket. Love, Christian" Tai writes parts of his letter himself--he is verbal and has learned his letters. So he writes "Dear Christian, We have a pumpkin in our class. It is orange. Pumpkins mean fall is here. We will cut the pumpkin open and take out the seeds. We will bake the seeds in the oven and eat them for snack. Love, Tai" Twice a year, the classes meet in county wide events. The school system holds a dance and a field day for students in Mild to Profound classes. Usually these classes will partner up for games,etc. So over the last 4 years, they've actually gotten to know each other.

That sounds AWESOME that is a wonderful program they have for the kids!

 

[luvmyfam444]

If you go over to Proteacher.com and go to the boards, they have one called The Post Office. There are tons of teachers on there already that are looking for pen pals, or you can put up your own post asking for them for your class. I'm not doing them this year, but I have in the past. One year we got a dud class (or rather teacher) and they never wrote back after the first time. The last one I did though was with a teacher in Vancouver and we had the kids sending letters back and forth about once a month for the entire year.

Thanks - I'll check it out over there!

 

[XYSRUS]

Just an FYI. I still keep in touch with my pen pal from 6th grade-42yo now. We got to pick a country from which we would like to exchange letters. I picked Australia. We've never met in person but still talk more now than ever- due to Facebook!

 

[luvmyfam444]

Just an FYI. I still keep in touch with my pen pal from 6th grade-42yo now. We got to pick a country from which we would like to exchange letters. I picked Australia. We've never met in person but still talk more now than ever- due to Facebook!

That's SOOO AWESOME! How on earth did your teacher hook up all those kids with kids from different countries back then? (pre internet??)