It’s that time again! Gabby at Middle School SLP and I are gearing up our pen pal project again. You’ll even be able to read about it in the October issue of the ASHALeader!
Wondering what the project is? Here’s the lowdown.
We will match speech/language clients based on age, target goals and varying geographic location as much as we can. Letters are sent to the SLP at their clinic/school location so no personal information is shared. You are expected to send at least five letters to their match by May 15, 2016. You have the option to match an individual client or a group.
The program was a huge success this spring! Therapists told us how motivated their students were, how the real life experience brought to light skills and deficits that weren’t always apparent during “therapy tasks” and that the comradery of “meeting” a student facing similar challenges was invaluable. Many used the opportunity to practice letter writing/mailing skills (ever buy a stamp?!) and research different areas of the country. A wealth of speech language activities for you to work on year round! Click here for the complete recap.
Now it’s your chance to participate! And while we roughly follow the school calendar, we welcome adults as well! This would be a great opportunity for adult fluency clients or elderly patients with aphasia.
To participate, click here and fill out a matching form. You will need to fill out a form for each match (individual or group) you want made.
You have until October 16, 2015 to fill out the forms. Matches will be completed and sent to you by October 23, 2015.
Who’s in?!
This Post Has 8 Comments
Hi! I love this idea! I’m just wondering, what do most therapist use for names when the students are writing? I just want to be cautious to not use any identifying information when we write our letters back!
Amy, It would be up to you and the SLP you are matched with to decide what to do regarding names. There is no other identifying info, so you should be fine with first names only or initials or use the opportunity to discuss aliases and have the kids each pick one! Kim
Is this geared towards older, middle school kids, or would you also have matches for elementary kids?
All ages are welcome! Elementary (7-10 yrs) seems to be most popular. Kim
Hello Kim,
My name is Jennifer Harter, and I am the Program Director for Community Homes and Services: Life College, a day program for developmentally disabled adults in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have been researching pen pal programs for our group of students, and am interested in the Pen Pal 2.0 program. Because the deadline for new submissions seems to have passed, I wanted to reach out and see if the program will be running again this year. I would love to learn more about how our group might contribute. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
Jennifer
CH&S Life College
415/897.8676
Jennifer, The program is running again, but, unfortunately matches have already been made. If you would like to send me information on the students you were interested in having matched ([email protected]), I’ll let you know if we have any other late sign-ups. Thanks! Kim
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