Pattengill Students Connect with Students in Thailand

Pattengill Students Connect with Students in Thailand

At the start of the school year, Pattengill Principal Shamika Womble was contacted by Kate Isley, an aunt of a Pattengill student who teaches 4th-6th grade at Anuban Surat Thani School in Surat Thani, Thailand. Ms. Isley expressed interest in starting a pen pal program with the 5th graders at Pattengill Elementary. Pattengill teachers jumped on the opportunity and the students excitedly began preparing for their pen pals by researching Thailand and filling out “getting to know you” surveys.

The surveys were mailed to Thailand and Ms. Isley matched the students based on common interests. The Thai students then wrote and mailed their first letters. Pattengill students responded in December and received the latest letters from Thailand this week along with Thai treats such as snacks, candy and key chains reflecting the Thai currency.

Pattengill 5th grade teacher Meredith Wloszek shared, “This fits the curriculum by allowing our students an opportunity to work on handwriting and writing conventions. Letter writing also is a nice opportunity to hone both our narrative and information writing skills, as the kids find themselves telling personal stories and teaching their pen pals about many aspects of their lives in America.”