Community reviews for PenPal Schools

I really like PenPalschools platform and I consider it to be a good modern digital tool that is easy to use both at school and at home and from any device. Both teachers and parents do appreciate that it is a safe Internet environment where young people can practice their digital skills, get some fun, chat with their peers from various countries. Another key point is that students can learn to gain knowledge on their own and share it with classmates or parents. In addition, students develop their critical thinking, learn to respect diversity and their own values and culture. They can use knowledge and skills in practice. What is more, it has the variety of topics creates more possibilities.

I recommend using this as a teaching tool and having the students read the text and answer the questions on paper first. After my students answered the questions on paper, or in their journal, I had them peer read them for editing and revising before they could type their answer in for their Pen Pal. I could always tell which Pen Pals had teachers that just assigned the work and never checked in on them because the students had poorly constructed answers. This is often disappointing to the students who are often very critical of each other's work. I LOVE Pen Pal Schools and so do my students. I found that giving them some choice in the final project will also allow them the ability to be creative and use their voice. Pen Pal Schools as a teaching tool is as rigorous as you make it and can be as in-depth as the one teaching it allows it to be. I had students who wanted to do additional research on some of the topics and one of my students even created her own holiday in our community. Her desire to create this holiday was spurred on by a Pen Pal Schools Project. It started small and with a few questions and it grew from there. If you are looking for a purposeful and rigorous project that can be adapted to meet the learning needs of varying levels and styles within a classroom, you need to check out Pen Pal Schools. I know you will glad you did and so will your students.

I really love using pen pal schools! This will be my 3rd year with them and what I like (besides the obvious breaking down the classroom walls and extending learning globally) is that they are constantly striving to make a better product. Over the time I've participated, I've seen them work to expand their topics and incorporate teacher feedback as they refine their lessons. It's great for social studies, obviously, but it also crosses the curriculum to include English, Science, Communications, etc. It's an excellent springboard from which to launch other projects. We've been able to take topics from the weekly lessons and turn them into writing prompts, class discussions, etc.--to seize the teachable moment--and it's great! It takes something that may, at the moment be teacher-led and flips it into a student-led activity. Additionally, I like that we can either work on our lesson in class or the kids can do it at home--and that, from my teacher dashboard, I can see whether they have completed the lesson (and to what extent) or need a reminder.

As a teacher you dn't need to prepare workshetts or any other documents everything is ready there.

I love PenPal Schools! I really believe that is a safe way for students to connect globally. I worked with my middle school staff on how to use PenPal schools, and several of the teachers used it throughout the year. I really like that there are multiple languages, in which students can communicate. My students were able to understand that even though we may live in different parts of the world, we are all facing the same issues. They were able to think critically to solve problems, both locally and globally. They were given different perspectives on issues they themselves were facing. My students gained friendships that I hope they will continue to foster. In using PenPal Schools, I am bringing the world to my students, and helping them find their place in it. Being able to critique/grade the student responses, and give specific feedback to my students helps me understand where they are, and where they are headed. My students were always in class on PenPal days, and I did notice that attendance was much better on those days.

My overall opinion of PenPal Schools is that it is a great way for students to communicate with kids globally in a digitally safe environment.

On paper, this seems like an excellent way for students to learn about the world and interact with other children from different cultures...as long as the students themselves get engaged in the topic and connect with their pen pals. Some of the comments in the teacher forum seem to indicate that the mechanics of the projects are a little confusing, but overall, the website seems well-constructed. I am excited to have the opportunity to use this in my classroom and will add a new review once I have.

I think it's very cool how students can collaborate with others across the globe who are learning the same things. However, since standards vary across countries it is hard to match the lessons up perfectly. It also gives little timeframe flexibility. This is not good f one class needs more time to complete a particular lesson,

Pen Pal Schools is a great tool to connect students with other from all over the world and align these connections to learning objectives and standards. This is also a great program for English Language Learners however, you are highly limited by the projects that are being offered at one time and having to confine to match dates. This is a great tool but is in need of expansion!

The only 'negative' thing is that if you have a wide rage of reading levels, you will have to modify the activities yourself. It is possible, as there are video, supporting images and a fairly short list of vocabulary. If this is not your main activity for reading, then it is still relevant for all students. The videos, pictures and text all focus very well on the topic. Also, PenPal School has a wide variety of material for almost any kind of class. If you're planning on using this, make sure you plan ahead as there are date restrictions. If this is your class activity, then keep in mind, that the activities only run for several weeks; you will have to have additional material to fill up that time after the PenPal has ended.