Elementary Pen Pal Project Expands Learning and Collaboration Across Continents
We are pleased to share a new initiative led by our Instructional Coaches for Technology! Through the leadership of our Book Creator Ambassadors, our elementary schools have launched a Global Pen Pal Project that connects close to 400 of our students with peers from across the globe, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Poland, Croatia, Italy, Mexico, and, starting in March, South Korea.
Students are developing valuable academic and social skills by integrating core subjects like ELA, Social Studies, Science, and Technology. They introduce themselves, share insights about our country, and showcase 3D models and Google Maps of landmarks and cultural highlights—all while following Digital Citizenship guidelines.
The program also emphasizes accessibility, utilizing tools like translation features and closed captioning to ensure a dynamic and inclusive experience for all participants.
Additionally, our educators are actively participating in an in-district digital Pen Pal exchange, creating valuable opportunities for collaboration and shared learning. We anticipate fostering more international connections as the global interest in this initiative continues to grow.
Photos: Students in Mrs. Vankalmthout class at Coram are connecting with pen pals in Italy!