CLASSROOM PEN PALS - PAIR UP UPDATE AND IDEAS FOR THE YEAR

I know.  I know.  It's been radio silence since all you alls signed up for my pen pal exchange. However, I promise that I have been working away on matching you with the best classroom possible.  

With this said, here's a little post for those of you who signed up for my Pen Pal Pair Up.  This post was also designed for teachers who maybe missed out on the sign ups. It has some ideas on finding that match.

**NOTE - just to make myself feel better . . . if you didn't make it in this year, I am sincerely sorry.  I wish I could help match everyone, but there just aren't enough hours in the day.  I will be back around next year, so watch for my call for sign ups to pop up around mid-July in 2017.  

FINDING A PEN PAL ON YOUR OWN
If you missed sign-ups this year, it's not too late to establish a connection. You can create your own match this year.  I have a few thoughts on this one. First, pull up your Facebook friends list and start scrolling for teachers. When you come across an education pal in another area or state, reach out. Don't wanna dig through your friend list?  Just toss a post up on your wall . . . someone is BOUND to know someone. 

Not feeling the Facebook thing at all?  No worries. Feel free to use my comments on my blog to post a call for a teacher who might be in the same boat -- just be sure to include your grade level and state in your shout.  Also, feel free to ambush any of my Facebook posts that are related to pen pals. Same rules apply, ask for a match in the comments and be sure to include details about your class. You never know :)    

Finally, if you didn't make it in, there is still a glimmer of hope this year. When emails bounce back or numbers don't align correctly, I will do an all-call on Facebook or Instagram for teachers who might be interested in specific matches.  

PEN PAL PAIR UP NOTES (2016)
For those of you who managed to get your name down before I pulled the link down, YOU ARE IN! Steps are already well underway in the whole mess of a matching process.  

What's next, you ask?  Well, I have a few notes on my progress as well as some tips and ideas for you. Oh . . . and . . . before I dive into it all, I want to take a moment to thank you for your interest.  Although it takes hours to do this every year, I truly love working to make successful connections.

Alright, it took a book to get into this . . . thanks for sticking with me.  Let's get down to biz. I have had a few questions tossed my way so I am going to answer them in a public forum.  Maybe you have these too.  

• How do I know if I got into the Pair Up? - as stated above, if you were able to sign up on the Google Form, you made it.  A few emails have trickled in too . . . you are in as well.
• When should I expect my match? - with more than 600 matches to make this year, it will take me a bit to get to you (a detailed schedule is down below). It takes so long because the process looks like this . . . 

The google form spits out this fabulous Excel sheet.
(It looks a hot mess as I blurred your emails.) 

The sheets get cut apart.
I match each grade level as some cruddy TV show is on in the background.
They get attached to a colored sheet and filed in the correct grade bin.
(The above have been matched . . . a little sneak peek.)

Matched pairs look like this.
Emails are hand sent out.
I have help this year in the email department . . . PTL :)

• What do I do when I get my match? - When you get your official email from me, it will introduce you to your partner and give directions.  I ask that you email your match right away so you two can connect. You don't have to make any decisions or plans . . . just make contact :)
• My partner didn't email me back? - If they don't get back to you within a couple of days, email them again.  If you don't hear within a week, email me and I'll see what I can do.  I can't make oodles of promises to folks in this situation as most of my pool will already be gone.  However, I promise to try with all my might :)
• What if I don't hear from you (Teacher Idea Factory)? - you will hear from me unless your email was put into the form incorrectly.  There are always a few of these every year.  Remember, it will take me a bit to get to you, but I WILL GET THROUGH THEM . . . just stick with me. However, if your grade level date (below) passes and you haven't heard anything, come after me. The schedule below is subject to change, so keep checking back (I will note when each section is complete.)

1. Kinder - 8/8/15 (DONE)
2. 1st - 8/20/16
3. 2nd - 8/15/16 (DONE)
4. 3rd - 8/15/16 (DONE)
5. 4th - 8/15/16 (DONE)
6. 5th - 8/5/16 (DONE)
7. 6th & Up - 8/5/16 (DONE)
8. All Other - 8/20/16 (DONE)

Once you and your match have connected, the rest is up to you guys.  Work together to an exchange that works for you and your needs. 

**Disclaimer - Please know that it is out of my hands once I pass off the match.  I really do my best to find you a solid partner, but there is NO way for me to know that the person on the other end of that pairing is going to follow through {giving the evil eye to those folks right now.}

GENERAL NOTES ON CLASSROOM PEN PALS

Is your head spinning yet?  Don't worry.  It is actually really easy once you get going.  PROMISE!  I have outlined a few ideas to help jump start things for you and your new partner.  

• Set a Schedule - I suggest picking out a day or week every month that you always write. This helps hold you accountable.  
• Parent Permission Slip - some schools will require a parent permission letter.  I made one for you (just click the picture below to snag it). There is a version for state to state connections as well as overseas matches. I also have a generic one in there for local area matches.  

• Get It Going Early - in the past, I waited to get the ball rolling. BAD MOVE. Before you know it, the calendar will hit November and you haven't written. Trust me on this one. Jump on it within the first month of school. 
• Think About Shared Writing - if your kids aren't solid writers yet, think about tackling pen pals shared writing style. It is a quick and easy way to introduce your classes and keep the chatter going early in the year.  

This was perfect for a crew a few years ago that just wasn't ready to write early in the year.
We were able to introduce ourselves and keep the connection going.

• Tech Works Too - you don't always have to roll snail mail style. Your kiddos can send emails or participate in a Google Hangout/Skype. You also can create an electronic book or power point presentation to send. These are just a few ways to save on postage and mix it up from time to time.
• Homework Options - you don't always have time to get it all done. I so feel your pain. This always seemed to come crashing down on me around the mid-year mark. Well, you can send the pen pal letter writing home as a homework task every so often. 
• Scan 'Em - a very smart follower a few years ago asked if it was okay to scan the letters and email them.  SURE . . . it's whatever works for you and your partner. Yes, it will require a bit of ink to print out, but those letters arrive immediately.  

If you are looking for more ideas and a bunch of ready-made pen pal templates and activities to help simplify the whole process, I do have a Pen Pal/Freiendly Letter packet available if you are interested. 

Just a quick peek at this collection in action.

By no means do you have to get this packet to be matched . . . that's on the house :)  However, this 75+ page collection introduces/reviews friendly letter writing, offers up oodles of levelized templates to help streamline the process, and provides other unique ideas to connect with pen pals. CLICK HERE or on the pic below to check out the pack. 

Alright, my friends. There it is in a nutshell . . . the Pen Pal Pair Up process. If I didn't answer a burning question that you still have, please feel free to email me and ask (kelleydolling@gmail.com or penpalpairup@gmail.com). You're never a bother :) Have a great one and I'll see you soon.