It's Time For Pen Pals
Tuesday July 8, 2008
Every summer, teachers all over the world flock to the Pen Pal section of our Forum to pair up and create Pen Pal programs for the upcoming school year.
It's simple, really. Peruse the posts and see if anyone matches your grade level, number of students, and any other special requirements. If so, reply and take it from there. If not, create a post of your own (be specific!) and it won't be long before your perfect match finds you.
It's a good idea to start this process early (in other words, now) so that you have the best chances of matching up with another teacher and so that you can organize the program before the new school year starts.
Comments
I was held back a year after my first two years of school.
I had bad tonsilitus which affected my hearing. I was never put forward again. At first it was deflating for me but I got used to it once I could accept that in most classes I was oldest student.
I also was a boy who played violin in schools which celebrated sporting achievements.
I can’t say peer pressure didn’t affect me but I did learn to value my own uniqueness and gifts supported by objective parents who celebrated success.
I flunked my last year of high school as well. That was a drag, but the best thing ever was repeating it. I was fortunate to be in a school which also had adult students which reduced the age concern. I half knew all the work. I had different teachers.
My grades skyrocketed up and I remember vividly a school trip at the end of this year which was a gift for the successful students.
I think we can debate pros and cons, but I think it’s also important for people to realise that life isn’t fair.
While peer pressure has a strong influence in the school years it is replaced by politics in the adult world so one way or another no one is immune from lifes social problems and we all have to get used to it sooner or later.