PenPal News: August 2019

This issue of PenPal News includes website updates, featured PenPal topics, professional development opportunities, and recent PenPal Stars.

What’s New at PenPal Schools

Our new project work space makes it easy for students to create and share amazing projects! Whether designing robots, writing short stories, or creating plans to protect the environment, the new project work space makes sure that every student is setup for success.

We also simplified our teacher dashboard making it easier to add students to your classroom, retrieve forgotten usernames and passwords, preview lessons, and grade student work!
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Want to connect with PenPals in a specific country? Teachers can now search for partner classrooms in specific countries and invite them to join any PenPal topic. When a teacher accepts your invitation, your students will automatically be connected as PenPals!

Featured Topics: August 2019

Over 100 thousand students have learned together through World Explorer! World Explorer is a great way to introduce global collaboration as your students discuss daily life, food, history, and popular culture with PenPals from around the world!
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If your students are returning to school this August, then join Schools Around the World! This topic will help your students prepare for the new year as they compare school with students from England, Pakistan, Brazil, and even as far away as Japan!

Up for a challenge? This August, enroll your students in a Global PenPal Challenge! In each challenge, students collaborate with PenPals, create unique projects, and can even win great prizes! This August we’re excited to invite you and your students to join the PenPal Schools Personal Essay Contest!

Professional Development Opportunities

Students aren’t the only ones learning together on PenPal Schools!  Join us in an upcoming webinar to learn how our global ambassadors are supporting social & emotional skills through global connections. Or schedule a PenPal Schools demonstration for you and your colleagues and learn how to make your school a PenPal School!

PenPal Stars

We love celebrating PenPals! That’s why each month we recognize PenPal Stars who demonstrate excellence in reading, writing, technology, and social & emotional skills. This month, help us celebrate Arturo R from the United States!

Arturo wondered how he and his classmates could reduce waste at home and at school. Arturo encouraged his community to carry reusable water bottles, conserve electricity, distinguish between wants and needs, and he even organized a clean-up effort on his school campus! Arturo’s final project included photos and a detailed journal of all the ways he eliminated waste.

Is there a PenPal star in your classroom? Click here to nominate a PenPal Star!