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Pen Pal Exchange Provides Unforgettable Learning Experience

Pen Pal Exchange Provides Unforgettable Learning Experience

Fifth-grade students in Miss Gianna DiGeronimo’s classroom at BBH Elementary recently met their respective pen pals from Italy during a virtual Zoom meeting on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the culmination of an unforgettable learning experience which began in September 2024. During the project, each of the fifty-five participating BBHES students was paired with a fourth or fifth-grade student from one of three schools in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of northeast Italy. Michela Dorigo, an English teacher who works at each of the participating schools in Italy, has collaborated with Miss DiGeronimo on this exciting learning experience for the past two years. Over the course of the school year, the pen pals exchanged several handwritten letters, sharing about a variety of topics, including their daily class schedules, favorite movies and places, school subjects, and many other likes and dislikes. Some students also included additional items with their letters, including bracelets, coins, and other trinkets.

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During the Zoom call, students enjoyed meeting their pen pals virtually and sharing more about their respective classrooms and unique cultures. Miss DiGeronimo’s students sang a spirited rendition of the famous American folk song, “This Land is Your Land,” by Woody Guthrie. The pen pal project provided a rich cultural exchange, as students shared that they enjoyed discovering both similarities and differences with students who live in another part of the world. In addition to fostering cultural understanding, the pen pal project provided a significant way for students to improve their communication skills and practice writing to a real audience. Over the past few years, Miss DiGeronimo has noticed an increase in meaningful writing by her students through this interactive project, with many students sharing that they enjoy writing more due to the intentional and relational nature of the activity.

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Moving forward, students may continue to communicate with their pen pals, with parental permission, by email after the school year ends. The pen pals project has helped to connect writing, language, and geography within a real-world context while building new friendships and cultural bridges. A special thank you to Miss DiGeronimo for providing BBHES students with an unforgettable classroom learning experience!