They’re back! Students all around the world are returning to school and classroom decor is being hung. We’ve been hard at work over the summer learning from teachers around the world and making PenPal Schools better than ever! Whether you’re returning to enroll in another course or connecting your students with PenPals for the first time, here’s the latest and greatest.
Improved PenPal Matching
What’s the most important part of PenPal Schools? The PenPals! That’s why we’ve worked hard to make sure every student is matched with the best PenPal possible. To do this we improved our communication with teachers and students so that everyone knows how to stay engaged (for example: students now take a “PenPal Pledge” when creating their profiles). We’ve also built a matching algorithm that helps predict how active PenPals will be, so that students are paired based (in part) on similar levels of engagement. (See our FAQs for more details on how PenPals are matched).
Double Your Impact
What’s the most important part of PenPal Schools? The PenPals! That’s why we’ve worked hard to make sure every student is matched with the best PenPal possible. To do this we improved our communication with teachers and students so that everyone knows how to stay engaged (for example: students now take a “PenPal Pledge” when creating their profiles). We’ve also built a matching algorithm that helps predict how active PenPals will be, so that students are paired based (in part) on similar levels of engagement. (See our FAQs for more details on how PenPals are matched).
Double Your Impact
We are dedicated to providing a great learning resource to as many students around the world as possible. We also want to make sure we can continue to improve PenPal Schools' technology, curriculum and service. For this reason PenPal Schools will now be available for $10 per month or $25 for one 6-week course. Each educator who purchases PenPal Schools will automatically sponsor a class that cannot pay. If you or your school cannot pay for PenPal Schools simply select the free option and your class will be sponsored.
Better Learning Outcomes
Active PenPals make PenPal Schools fun and engaging for students, while our high-quality curriculum ensures that students are also learning important skills. Over the summer we improved every lesson in each of our courses to help you teach the reading, writing, technology, and collaboration skills that students need to succeed. We also created a detailed syllabus for every course so you know exactly which learning outcomes each PenPal Schools course will help achieve.
Clear Standards Alignment
Our courses have always been aligned to academic standards like the US Common Core. We now have a one-page resource for you to easily see how PenPal Schools helps students master competencies such as reading and writing. This is also a great reference to share with administrators or colleagues!
Download the Academic Standards Alignment PDF
Grading Rubrics
Downloadable grading rubrics are now available in your teacher dashboard for evaluating each student’s work as they complete their weekly lessons. Learning objectives are clearly defined, making this a great resource to provide the feedback needed to help students improve or to share with parents!
Our courses have always been aligned to academic standards like the US Common Core. We now have a one-page resource for you to easily see how PenPal Schools helps students master competencies such as reading and writing. This is also a great reference to share with administrators or colleagues!
Download the Academic Standards Alignment PDF
Grading Rubrics
Downloadable grading rubrics are now available in your teacher dashboard for evaluating each student’s work as they complete their weekly lessons. Learning objectives are clearly defined, making this a great resource to provide the feedback needed to help students improve or to share with parents!
We hope you’re excited to connect your students to learn with PenPals! And remember, we are here to help every step of the way- either on Twitter @PenPalSchools, via email at support@penpalschools.com, or through our in-app chat. Happy Back to School, it’s going to be a great year!
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