PEN PAL PAIR UP 2016 - COMING SOON

The emails have started coming in asking if I am hosting the Pen Pal Pair Up again this year.  My answer was automatic . . . OF COURSE!  I just couldn't let a summer slip by without offering up my matching services. Bring on the 4th Annual Pen Pal Pair Up.  

Look for sign ups to open after the big SDE conference in Vegas (Thursday, July 21st to be exact). I am starting the process early again this year to keep it as separate as possible from the back to school chaos that will hit in early-August. 

The slots fill quickly (within a few hours), so be ready to jump on board quickly if you want in on the action. In years past, I have taken on the first 500-600 teachers to fill out my online form. This year I am going to take on a few more as I don't have to ready a classroom in the fall. Who knew that transitioning into a coaching/curriculum role would be so beneficial to the generation of classroom connections? With this said, I will attempt to take on the first 800 teachers. I know 200 more teachers doesn't really sound like a ton, but it translates into hours and hours of additional work as I match by hand and shoot out emails. I am not trying to be the martyr (promise) . . . I just want you to know why there is a limit on how many educators I can take on each year.  

I WILL give you a heads up on the EXACT TIME (It's 4PM TODAY - Pacific) I on my social media sites. So, be sure you follow my Instagram and/or Facebook pages so you don't miss the sign up window.  Again, it seems to open and close in a hot minute.

For those of you who don't know what the Pen Pal Pair Up is all about, let me back up and explain a tad before I jet today. During this event, I will do my VERY best to find another classroom/teacher for you to match up with for the year that fits your grade level and class size needs. In essence, I take the "finding" and "connecting" parts out of the whole process for you . . . your crew just has to take the time to follow through and actually write :)  Pen Pals are a stellar way to work in a little geography and a WHOLE BUNCH of friendly letter writing. Oh, and you don't have to blog to participate.  I'm sure most of you probably were on to this one, but I always seem to get at least one question a year about it. I mostly pair teachers K-6 (although I have found matches for a handful of 7th and 8th grade groups in previous matching rounds).

The best part of pen pals is that the kids absolutely love being a part of the whole thing. Last year's class would cheer the moment I uttered . . . "We received a package!"  In addition to their never-ending excitement, the quality work went through the roof each and every time we sat down to draft a new set of letters. 

This was the reaction we still had rollin' at the very END of the year.
#heykidswegotapackage

Alright, so there you have it.  If you are interested in signing up, be sure to pay attention to The Factory's social media sites for the exact time the sign ups will go live. Until then, be sure you mark Thursday, July 21st on your calendar :)

Big hugs and I'll talk to all you alls soon.