What to Expect

Books as Bridges seeks to provide teachers a program that engages students and offers resources to broaden their international awareness. As part of the program, teachers in the US should:

Keep in contact with your international partner. Begin the partnership by sending an email with your school’s mailing address and basic information about your classroom. Though our international candidates are required to have frequent email access, there could be several days before you receive a return email. If you have not heard from your contact for two weeks or more, please contact the Books as Bridges Coordinator to discuss getting a new partner.

Take advantage of in-class Books as Bridges activities. Books as Bridges offers a “Pen-Pal Prep Session” to introduce your class to the program, discuss briefly life in your partner country, and encourage a service-learning project. As the year progresses and your students learn more about their pen-pals, teachers may schedule a Cultural Literacy Lesson. These lessons provide food from your partner country, cultural crafts, and other hands-on activities for your students.

If you would like to schedule a Books as Bridges “Pen-Pal Prep Session” for your class, please Sign Up for a Cultural Literacy Lesson and note that you would like a Pen-Pal Prep Session.

Send at least 2 envelopes of letters and 2 “cultural packages.” Begin your pen-pal relationship by sending an envelope of letters from your students at the beginning of the school year, and your partner classroom should do the same. Upon receiving your first package of letters (or sooner, if you choose), encourage your students to think of items that represent their community, state, or nation to send. These items will make up the first “cultural package.” As your pen-pal friendship develops, continue to send at least one more envelope of letters, and one more cultural package. Please note that this is the minimum suggestion! Feel free to send more packages if you choose.

Report any problems to the Books as Bridges Coordinator. If your contact is not responding to your emails, has not sent any letters, or is making inappropriate requests (for money, supplies, etc.), please contact the Books as Bridges Coordinator. If it is not too late in the school year, Books as Bridges can connect you with a new classroom, or provide your classroom with a special project.

Help improve Books as Bridges by filling out mid-year and end-of-year questionnaires. We appreciate your comments! Please help us improve the program by filling out Books as Bridges questionnaires. If you have questions or comments throughout, please do not hesitate to contact the Books as Bridges Coordinator.