Our Mentor/Pen Pal Program
You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. ~Kahlil Gibran
Our fourth graders in Mrs. Bartholomew and Mrs. Moellenberg's class have a wonderful opportunity this year. They have mentors who are residents at The Court Retirement Facility in Round Rock!
Mrs. Bartholomew started this project in the spring of 2007. To start our Service Learning Project this year, we read a book called Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox, which is about a boy who visits elder friends at a facility near his house. It tells of the joy that the residents receive and the learning and joy that he receives because of these visits. We try to spread joy to our mentors with our letters, interviews, and visits.
The students write to their mentors about once a month and the mentors come to Forest Creek Elementary to visit. One month they visit with Mrs. Bartholomew's class and the next month with Mrs. Moellenberg's class. The kids interview the adults about childhood experiences and life and they talk and learn together. Then they play lots of games like Bingo or checkers, and sometimes they draw, build things, or do puzzles together. Everyone cherishes the time spent together.
The information and stories gathered by the students are later used to write a book about our mentors. We learn so much from them and they give us an opportunity to practice authentic, purposeful writing, practice our speaking and social skills, and learn about the past while having a wonderful time. We appreciate them so much for their time and their openness to share. We hope that they enjoyed our time with them as much as we did. Our mentors are the best!
A while back, we were featured in an article in the Austin American Statesman on December 4, 2010. Our photos are in the gallery section of their website. Check it out. http://galleries.statesman.com/gallery/forest-creek-elementary-pen-pals/?cxtype=rss_ece_frontpage#144191 You can also read the article at the following link: http://www.statesman.com/news/education/round-rock-pen-pal-program-brings-history-to-1079871.html?cxtype=rss_ece_frontpage
If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.
~Betty Reese
