Teacher Idea Factory

Teacher Idea Factory

THE PERFECT PEN PAL PAIR UP EVENT

by

I promised a big reveal today, so here we go!  Key a huge puff of smoke, hundreds of Pink Floyd neon laser-lights flashing, and that music you hear during time outs at basketball games . . . oh yes . . . It’s time for The Perfect Pen Pal Pair Up!  

Okay, now that I got my little comedy routine out of the way, I can get down to biz-ness!  I cannot wait to tell you about this super fun event I am hosting. 

Thank you Scrappin’ Doodles, LD, and Miss Tiina Fonts!

I don’t know about you, but I have always wanted to start up pen pals in my classroom.  However, I never quite knew where to start.  Finding a partner seemed so difficult.  Well, that all changed for me this year when sweet Nicole approached me. The utter excitement I felt from this is still going strong and I am all set up for the upcoming school year.  Others should get to experience this as well and I am going to help!

If you are interested in becoming a committed pen pal for the upcoming school year, simply click on the Pair Up button below and fill out the Google Doc form before Sunday, August 12th. 

Once the submission deadline passes, I will do my very best to provide you with the best possible pen pal pair up!  I will contact you directly with your pen pal’s info as soon as I have the list compiled.

CLICK THE BUTTON ABOVE AND I’ll FIND YOU A PEN PAL!!
This event is now closed ๐Ÿ™‚

REMEMBER!!  This event is open to all teachers – you do not have to have a blog to participate!  So, what are you waiting for . . . go on . . . sign up! We’d love to have ya.

If you are still wondering how you are going to manage this whole pen pal deal in your classroom, I did make a Pen Pal Packet for my partner and I to use this year.  It contains everything you need to start and maintain a long distance classroom connection.  

CLICK HERE to see Mel D. (Seusstastic Classroom Inspirations) product review!
Letter Writing Intro Activities 
Levelized Writing Templates
Postcards, Questionnaires, Learning Writes, Recipes, Directions, and More!
Can you picture your kiddos making these . . . I sure can!

Tell ya what . . . I am feeling a little crazy today.  If you are interested in my Pen Pals Pack, leave one comment (don’t forget your email) and let me know that ya follow my blog.  I will use the Random.Org widget to select three winners tomorrow.  These peeps will get my packet for free. (You do not have to participate in pair up to be a big winner.)


The BIG winners are . . . 

Congrats Ashley, Tania, and Emily! 

Well, I am out of here.  Gotta go out for coffee – my Mr. Coffee bit the dust yesterday.  I should have gone before sitting down at my computer as my innner-hag is starting to appear, but I wanted to crank out this post!  Thanks so much for visiting and here’s to making lasting connections and building better writers in the process ๐Ÿ™‚

**If you could “pin,” facebook, or blog abut this, I would greatly appreciate it.  The larger the pool, the better match ups we will have!  Also, if you have additional questions about The Perfect Pen Pal Pair Up, feel free to contact me (kelleydolling@gmail.com).

Comments

    • teacherideafactory says

      I might be able to work something out for you. Did you fill out the google doc form?? Just mark it as 2nd and note Montessori E1 in the # of kids box and I'll see what I can do. Thanks for stoppin' by!! Here's to winning!!

  7. Vickie says

    Aww…I would love to do this, but I'm scared what would happen when I'm out on maternity leave. Think my sub could do it??
    Vickie

  13. Ashley says

    I've only been following this blog for a little while now, but already love all the great ideas! Having a pen pal from across the country was one of my favorite elementary memories growing up!Thanks for organizing this!

    ashkitch@gmail.com

  14. Angie says

    What a great packet! (& idea) ๐Ÿ™‚
    I'm not quite sure of my numbers (we switch for reading and math—-and reading time would be where I could fit it in.,.) ๐Ÿ™ Darn. Those numbers aren't really finalized till the end of September when we start switching…… I'll have to look at my schedule a little more to see if I could pull it off in my homeroom with my firsties…..

    Angie
    http://www.rulintheroost.blogspot.com

    • teacherideafactory says

      Ballpark figure or a range is okay to put in. This is more for those schools with class size reduction and those who slam 30+ in a room ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks for visiting Angie. I hope this works for ya!! You have until 8/10 to sign up ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Angie says

      I signed up anyway. I'll just make it work with my homeroom ๐Ÿ™‚ (my reading group could be MUCH smaller—so I'll stick with a number I know-sorta!) ๐Ÿ™‚

      Thanks for putting this together! We were pen pals with my friend's class in Bulgaria for the past 2 years–but he's now back in the states—with no class.

      Angie
      Rulin' The Roost

  21. Heather says

    Super idea! I can't wait to get a pen pal for my class. Thanks for getting this learning adventure started!
    creatingbookworms.blogspot.com

  31. Amber says

    I would LOVE to win your pen pal packet! I am a first year first grade teachers. I got to graduate after 4 years of kindergarten. My kids begged to do pen pals last year but I couldn't really wrap my head around where to even begin! Thanks for organizing this.
    Amber Laue
    amberlaue@pecschools.com

  42. Lisa Mattes says

    Hi there! I would love to win this awesome pack! I am a follower…learned about you from Falling Into First posting on Facebook. ๐Ÿ™‚

  47. Mrs. Cypher says

    Hey, Kelley! ๐Ÿ™‚

    I think your Pen Pal pack looks great! I definitely follow you… ๐Ÿ˜‰

    I tried to have pen pals last year, but the other class NEVER wrote to us. ๐Ÿ™ I don't think I will be able to do it this year because of a few things going on at our school, but I will definitely keep this in mind for next year!

    Amanda
    amanda.c.archer@gmail.com
    Sweeties In Second

  56. Maria Eshman says

    I am on board for Pen Pals this year!! I am teaching three classes of firsties, but I only signed up with a ballpark for my higher guys. ๐Ÿ™‚ If you are in need of more pairings, I am also teaching a low and middle group, so let me know! (yes… we are leveling and departmentalizing this year in first grade)
    I'd love for you to stop by and check out our new blog! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Maria
    http://curiousfirsties.blogspot.com

  63. Mickie says

    Oh I'm so excited! Having a Pen Pal was one of my favorite memories from elementary school and I've always wanted to do it! Thanks for getting this all organized!
    I am NOW a follower, and will be signing up! Yay!
    mbarrett@nsd131.org

  67. Rhonda says

    I love your pen pal idea. I am from NSW Australia, about 90 minutes south of Sydney. I am not sure if anyone would be interested in becoming a pen pal from overseas. I know my little ones and I would be thrilled if anyone would like to be our pen pal. I have registered.
    I am your newest follower and would love a pen pal pack.
    Rhonda
    Classroom Fun

  69. Michelle says

    So nice of you to do all of this for everyone. Especially the matching. Just reading all these comments takes time! I would need for it to be approved first but I do follow you and would love the pack.

    I was also wondering about overseas pen pals like Rhonda from Classroom Fun. Or is this just nationally?

  72. Dave H says

    Hello,

    I am so excited to sign up for your pen pal group! I follow you via my email since I am very new to this bloggin thing! LOL
    I would love the chance to win you pen pal packet. I love your products on TPT

    phanly254@comcast.net

    • teacherideafactory says

      Holly . . . just commented on your blog. I copied down all of the comments on your blog and will add them to my list if they haven't jumped on board already ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you!!!

  76. Nicki says

    This is great! I just signed up. I did the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Exchange last year and my kids loved it. So I'm excited about this! ๐Ÿ™‚

    mrsthigpenskindergarten.blogspot.com

  77. claire-marie dubois says

    Hi ! I'm French and live in a small town 100km from Paris. I've been teaching for 10 years now and have been having penpals (in the Netherlands, in Guyana and for the last 4 years in Australia) since my very first year of teaching. I'm fond of the USA where I have been lucky to go twice and I hope that one day I will find someone who would like to have his/her students write to mine. I like your idea and I hope that someone will be interested in my profile. I have filled in your application but here is my email address again : ncm.dubois@live.fr
    To anyone who would be interested, don't hesitate to contact me, that would be so great!
    Thank you for this nice idea and good luck with your blog and your new schoolyear! Claire-Marie

  80. Jenn Long says

    Hi Kelley!
    I'm so excited about this project! I signed up my class on your google doc but I'd like to sign up two additional classes…I teach Reading/Language Arts to 3 different classes and want to include them all! I wasn't sure how to sign them up on your google doc without confusing you!
    Please let me know what you'd like me to do!
    Thanks!

    A Pirates Life for Us

    • teacherideafactory says

      Sorry for the delayed response . . . I was in San Fran for the weekend ๐Ÿ™‚ Go ahead and sign up two more times and just make a note under your class size numbers for me so I don't overlook this! Thanks Jenn!!!

    • Jenn Long says

      No worries! I love San Fran! Only was able to spend an evening there (I was at Apple training and they bussed us in for the night). I so need to go back! I just entered my two other classes! I labeled them 2 of 3 and 3 of 3 and included the teacher's names in the address portion of your form. Hope that's okay!

    • teacherideafactory says

      I do have your info and am on the lookout for you. If I didn't already have a crew, I would jump on the chance to take ya on myself. I promise I won't give up on finding you a match ๐Ÿ™‚

  85. Kate says

    This is fabulous! You all have inspired me to start blogging again! Now to get it looking as snazzy as some of yours ๐Ÿ™‚

Join the Newsletter

Latest on Facebook

View on Facebook