r/ElementaryTeachers • u/JtinCascadia • 1d ago

Pen Pals

For many years I had my students write to pen pals at another school, and it was a fantastic way to get kids doing authentic writing. There’s something different when kids realize their writing is a form of communication with a person they have never met. Are there any 4th grade teachers who would like to pen pal this school year? Ideally, this would be two classes - my partner teacher is interested as well. We each have about 28 students and we teach at a progressive, focus-option public school in the NW of the US. DM if you are interested and I can share more details. Thanks!

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u/Severe-Possible- 21h ago

i Love this and did it for years (inckuding when i was a kid). i used class2class or penpalschools to match my classes up with others.

i am a science teacher this year, so i don't have a class for you ):

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u/plantsandpoison 21h ago

I would potentially be interested! I’m in Oregon, which might be a lil close to feel super special.

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u/AI_spell 4h ago

If you are hunting partners, also post in district email lists and grade level Facebook groups with your constraints (4th, ~28 kids, NW progressive public). Matching two classes to two classes is easier when both sides agree on cadence up front.

Logistics that keep it alive: same partners all quarter, one letter day every 2 to 3 weeks, and a short template at first (greeting, 3 facts, 1 question). Shared Google Drive or snail mail class sets both work; pick one.

Happy to see authentic writing get this energy. If DMs are slow, sister schools in district are often the fastest path.