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Spring to Summer Session is CLOSED– Please join us again in mid-June for our next season of Homeschool Pen Pals.

NEW- March-June, Creative ELA Homeschool Penpals are making and trading Artist Trading Cards. We’ll use the cards we receive to inspire our writing and come together in mid-June to share our stories. Two live classes- one to make ATC and one to share our writing- are included.

Join Creative ELA to participate, or keep reading to learn more.

Writing letters is a super fun way to meet friends and share what’s going on in your life. 

The Creative ELA Homeschool Pen Pals group helps match kids with a pen pal and offers prompts and encouragement each month.

Set up seasonally, your family chooses when to write, and kids have the opportunity to have a new pen pal each season. They are also welcome to keep the same pen pal or do both. Several writers are now writing to more than one pen pal.

If you are interested in having a pen pal, join the Creative ELA Membership. It is one of the many opportunities offered.

Homeschool Pen Pals FAQ-

When can my family join?

A new session begins each season: Summer (June 21st), Autumn (September 23rd), Winter (December 21st), and Spring (March 19th).

What if I have more than one kid interested in writing?

If you have multiple kids interested, that’s great. They’ll each get their own pen pal. 

How old does my kid have to be to participate?

We have kids of all ages participating. I match up pen pals who are around the same age, give or take a couple of years.

How often do kids need to write?

Please commit to sending at least two letters during the season you sign up for. It’s no fun to write a letter and not get a response! 

My kid hates writing or is unable to write. Can they still participate?

Yes, please reach out! There are several options, including sending video pen pal messages.

How will I get my child’s pen pal’s address?

I will connect with families via email. It will be your job to communicate with the other family to exchange addresses.

What happens after my child receives a pen pal?

Once you’re matched and have an address, the fun begins! The next step is to start writing! 

You can use the prompts I send or write about anything you want. You can send drawings, pictures, stickers, or just words. 

Why Pen Pals?

I started setting up pen pals connections when I taught in a public high school. My students were each matched with a college student studying to be an English teacher. They wrote about the books they were reading. What I found was many of my reluctant writers were eager to write. They had a purpose, an audience, and they got mail (which is pretty great when it’s not a bill). Since then, I have used letter writing to encourage writing. My own child participates in this program, and not only loves getting letters, but she’s also eager to write back. It’s a great way to encourage writing and help create connections.

Why is this part of a membership and not free?

A few reasons.

It helps me know the families before matching up their children and encouraging families to share addresses.

It also takes time to run this program, and I believe in compensating people for their time.

Does my kid have to be a homeschooler?

Nope. Schoolers and unschoolers are welcome too!