Earlier this year I decided to incorporate pen pals into my daily lessons for my class because I feel it is important to be in contact with people from different cultures and from different parts of the world. I worked it out with the 3rd and 4th grade teacher at OAKS, the school I worked at in Tennessee, as well as with the school I attended as a young girl in Worthington, Ohio. So... each student has 2 pen pals, one in Tennessee and one in Ohio.
So this week we (my class and I) received our first package from our pen pals in Tennessee! I cannot tell you the joy I felt seeing my students read their letters and see the pictures of their new friends in Tennessee. They were so eager to write back telling of all their favorite things and to send pictures of themselves. One of my trouble makers, Rois, came to my desk and was so excited to read me her letter from her new friend named Emily. After she read Emily's letter to me she said to me "Teacher, Emily doesn't like homework and neither do I!...Emily's favorite color is purple and so is mine!" I have never seen her respond to things with such excitement. She was truly shocked that someone so far away was so much like her. She quickly wrote a letter back to Emily and was so happy to turn it in and have it sent. This coming from the girl that NEVER turns anything in! My heart truly filled with awe and joy.
One little boy in TN sent pictures of his electric guitar and his pet gerbils and his Wii. Ozzie, my student, was the recipient and he was so excited to get extra pictures. He came and asked me, "Teacher, what is this animal" because he had never seen a gerbil before and "teacher I have a Wii too. I wonder what his favorite game is?" To which I said why don't you ask him in your letter. He was so excited about the whole thing that the first thing he wanted to do was take his letter and pictures home and show his dad. I told him as long as he brought it back so we could hang it on the wall that it was ok. He came back the next day still talking about it!
I found it pretty funny that when I was proofreading their letters, almost all of them wrote, "I can't wait till you come to Palau so i can take you to the rock islands...see you soon." I just had to chuckle. TOO CUTE!
I truly believe that pen pals is such a great idea and a great way to make new friends. I'm pretty sure this has been the most joyful experience I have had with them thus far. I was just so honored to be a part of their excitement.
Happy Sabbath...Hope this finds everyone well....much love....until next time...:-D
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4 comments:
I'm so glad things are going so well for you in Palau!! And such a great idea with the pen pals. Sniff for pen pals in Worthington.
I'm praying for you down there!
Katie
What an awesome idea to have pen pals! The great thing about that is some will be pen pals for life and become friends. I am so glad things are going well for you now. Keep up the good work! We are praying for you everyday.
Aunt Linda, Patrick & Jessica
Your a brilliant woman. I'm glad you and your kids are starting to click, I knew it would happen.
Love you!
Babe I love that idea that you had about the Pen pals. I knew that this missions thing is just up your alley. I know that God has a lot of plans for you and I am so proud. These kids are really getting a treat for having you as their teacher. You have so much spirit and for that I love you so much. God bless.
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