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News & Photos
Second Graders Meet TU Pen Pals
After several months of corresponding, Kate Hailstone’s second grade class had the opportunity to meet their pen pals today. Twenty-two students from Towson University’s International ESOL program came to McDonogh to exchange some holiday spirit.
Hailstone’s students made finger-knitted scarves for their pen pals and the Towson students brought their pen pals small gifts. But, said Aidan W., "The most exciting part is getting to see the face of the person who I have been writing to for so long.”
For 17 years, Hailstone and Anne Colgan from Towson University have matched up their students as pen pals. “This is a chance for my students to practice their letter-writing skills while learning about people from other countries,” said Hailstone.
Colgan’s students come from places such as Saudi Arabia, China, Taiwan and Turkey. They are in the United States specifically to improve their English. Said Colgan, “Children are much easier to speak to and learn English from because they are very welcoming and engaging.”
The pen pals would write letters once or twice a week and share information about their families, country, food and holidays.
Brad S. has looked forward to getting the letters from his pen pal because they always include a drawing about China. He has learned that even though his pen pal is older, his grammar isn't always correct--something Brad has helped to teach him.
Pin Lv, a student from China, was so excited to meet in his words “my American brother,” Jacob R. He added, “Jacob’s letters were funny and very friendly.”
As the morning came to an end, all students were taking pictures together. Now there is always a face to match the letters.
After several months of corresponding, Kate Hailstone’s second grade class had the opportunity to meet their pen pals today. Twenty-two students from Towson University’s International ESOL program came to McDonogh to exchange some holiday spirit.
Hailstone’s students made finger-knitted scarves for their pen pals and the Towson students brought their pen pals small gifts. But, said Aidan W., "The most exciting part is getting to see the face of the person who I have been writing to for so long.”
For 17 years, Hailstone and Anne Colgan from Towson University have matched up their students as pen pals. “This is a chance for my students to practice their letter-writing skills while learning about people from other countries,” said Hailstone.
Colgan’s students come from places such as Saudi Arabia, China, Taiwan and Turkey. They are in the United States specifically to improve their English. Said Colgan, “Children are much easier to speak to and learn English from because they are very welcoming and engaging.”
The pen pals would write letters once or twice a week and share information about their families, country, food and holidays.
Brad S. has looked forward to getting the letters from his pen pal because they always include a drawing about China. He has learned that even though his pen pal is older, his grammar isn't always correct--something Brad has helped to teach him.
Pin Lv, a student from China, was so excited to meet in his words “my American brother,” Jacob R. He added, “Jacob’s letters were funny and very friendly.”
As the morning came to an end, all students were taking pictures together. Now there is always a face to match the letters.