
In
the
fall,
Bridgett
Brookbank,
second
grade
teacher
at
Loch
Lomond
Elementary
School,
and
Betty
Lemen,
second
grade
teacher
at
Occoquan
Elementary
School,
started
the
pen
pal
project,
an
interactive
writing
assignment
that
has
students
penning
letters
to
one
another.
Students
write
individual
notes
and
work
together
on
larger
class
letters,
detailing
their
school
experiences,
research
from
assignments,
and
more.
This
project
offers
them
a
unique
way
to
strengthen
their
writing
skills
as
well
as
build
vocabulary.
"This
project
lends
itself
to
authentic
writing,"
said
Lemen.
"Writing
doesn't
become
a
series
of
lessons,
rather
students
see
a
purpose
and
the
fun
of
receiving
mail-a
new
experience
for
many."
The
project
is
continuing
to
evolve,
now
allowing
them
to
practice
verbal
skills.
Recently,
the
two
classes
met
via
Zoom,
and
students
rehearsed
more
formal
conversations
using
their
newfound
vocabulary.
With
a
chance
to
speak
more
on
topics
not
included
in
their
letters,
students
are
making
connections
and
finding
shared
experiences
with
their
pen
pals.
"We
felt
that
students
need
to
connect
with
each
other,"
said
Lemen.
"This
project
supports
their
social-emotional
growth
and
helps
them
build
relationships
with
students
outside
of
their
school."
Moving
forward,
Brookbank
and
Lemen
are
excited
to
continue
the
project
and
adapt
the
topics
to
make
them
relevant
for
their
students.
"I
so
appreciate
[Mrs.
Lemen]
thinking
to
connect
us
on
Zoom.
It
was
a
wonderful
experience,"
said
Brookbank.
"As
we
move
forward,
there's
always
potential
to
think
beyond
pencil
and
paper
and
incorporate
what
we
learned
about
the
use
of
technology
these
past
two
years."