The Influential Teacher | The Highlight of Second Grade

This video is about two second grade teachers letting their students be pen pals. They got the idea because they used to be pen pals when they were in elementary school and it led to a lifetime friendship. Both became teachers at the schools they attended and now have their own students writing to each other. The children cannot wait to receive letters from their pen pals.

What a great idea to have pen plas with other second graders in town. Students today are learning how to text and IM and are getting away from writing letters accurately. Texting has really affected their writing skills. I saw this when I was reviewing a paper typed by a 12th grader. He used the texting language instead of correct grammar all through his paper.

In second grade, students are just learning about sentence structure and how to write on lined notebook paper. This would be great practice for them to use complete sentences and work on handwriting while making friends, possibly for life.

Do you think your students would like the idea of having a pen pal?
What affect do you think it would have on their writing and language skills?
What grade levels do you think this is most appropriate for?

Introduction

My name is Carol Harris.  I am a second grade teacher at Clark Elementary in Selma, AL. I am attending UWA to get a Master's Degree in Library Media. I love teaching in the classroom, but feel so limited to what I can do.  Hopefully by becoming a media specialist I can reach more students.

I enjoy using technology in the classroom, but where I teach we have very limited resources. I enjoy making powerpoint presentations and classroom review games for my students, but my most favorite thing to do with technology is to create movies using windows movie maker.  I take pictures of field trips or activities in the classroom and make a movie for the students to enjoy.  They love to see themselves on the big screen.

I have been married for 25 years and have three children, Cameron is 21, Caitlyn is 17, and Caleb is 13.  We have three inside dogs and two outside dogs.  We love to go camping, fishing, and just spending time together.