PBS
Dear Pen Pal
Explore cultures from around the world with an engaging pen pal resource. Through a series of classroom activities and written correspondence, children learn about the favoritec pastimes, schooling, geography, and weather that is...
Ball State University
Dear Pen Pal
Keep your class in conversation with others across the country or across the sea by writing letters to pen pals. The activity calls for students to be pan pals with pupils in Africa; however, the listed steps could be used for any...
Curated OER
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.
Paging Supermom
Postcard Template
A basic postcard worksheet could be a creative addition to your novel unit, pen pal project, or any other activity involving writing letters or sending mail. The template provides two postcards, each with lines for a message, a space for...
Curated OER
Out of Old England in the 1630s-Flat Me Project
Young scholars 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 young...
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Message in a Bottle
Students 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 important...
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
Letter Writing -Traditional and Modern
Third graders study the parts of a friendly letter and how to address an envelope. They write pen pal letters using traditional and modern mailing practices.
Curated OER
Newsletters to International Penpals/Keypals
Students participate in an intercultural E-mail exchange throughout a semester. They send newsletter to international penpals/keypals.
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Mystery Pen Pal
Students investigate different cities and states in the USA, and practice their letter writing skills while corresponding with a pen pal.
Curated OER
Cans Make a Difference
Students 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. Students write to their pen...
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Biomes of The World
Young scholars research different biomes, using links from global pen pal letters.
Curated OER
Parts of a Friendly Letter
The art of writing a letter has not been lost to email and texting! Teach kids how to format a friendly letter with a presentation about the parts of a letter, as well as prompting them to write a letter about their favorite holiday.
Apple State University
Friendly Letter Mini-Lesson
This mini-lesson 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 part in a grand...
Curated OER
Do It Write
Students investigate types of communities. For 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...
Ed Galaxy
Postcard Template
Wish you were here! Have kids express their salutations and warm wishes with postcards. The worksheet provides two postcard templates for kids to address, sign, and illustrate.
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
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...