Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/108811
> F E AT U R E Min Kang, Nicholas Palmer and Reis Avila read a letter from a French pen pal. each class sent a ���gift��� to the other ��� books ���My main goal was honing students��� about their countries ��� with maps, history reading and writing skills,��� says Pechan. and cultural factoids. ���In this day and age where students are Pechan connected with Nicolas Drzemostly texting and using e-mail, they wiecki, a fifth-grade teacher near Paris via don���t��practice proper grammar or write forums.atozteacherstuff.com, a website in complete sentences. I wanted to put for teachers. They e-mailed them in the role of an Engabout lesson plans and goals lish teacher to reinforce their they wanted students to knowledge. And I wanted to accomplish. He wanted stufoster an interest in social dents to practice their English studies, including customs and while she wanted students to traditions in other countries.��� learn French. Her students were amazed Drzewiecki���s students write that France doesn���t celebrate in English and always include Halloween, so they described a list of French words with the holiday and sent pictures English translations. Pechan���s of pumpkins and ghosts. Susan Levy students retype the letters into French children shared Google Translate their holiday traditions in (translate.google.com) and translate return. For example, on Christmas, French everything into French to learn the language. children put their shoes in front of the fire- 32 California Educator February 2013 place in hopes they will be filled with gifts from P��re No��l, or Father Christmas. ���It���s pretty exciting to talk to people who speak a whole different language,��� says Logan Heywood. ���My friend Marvin is teaching me French numbers.��� Angela Rich was pleased her pen pal enjoys cooking. ���I want to become a pastry chef someday, and maybe I can go visit her.��� Students realize how similar they are despite living ���worlds apart.��� ���I hope they learn from each other and that some of the pen pals will evolve into lifelong friendships,��� says Pechan. Pen pals are role models Sometimes pen pals aren���t across the ocean; they are right down the street. Freshmen in Diane McEvoy���s English class at Calabasas High School write first-