New project connects students at JE with classrooms in Poland

English Language Learners at Jordan-Elbridge are sharing their experiences with students across the globe. Teacher Danuta Goldmann collaborated with a teacher from Rewal, Poland to kick off a project called “Words on Wings Across the Ocean.” Students from both classrooms spend a portion of their lesson reading letters from their faraway friends and writing a response.

“It’s good practice with handwriting, spelling, writing paragraphs, and kind of showing our interests to people we have never met,” explained Goldmann. “I think this idea is really foreign to people.”

All students who are participating are learning English as a second language. Along with sharpening their writing skills, this project inspires students to understand and appreciate a different culture. It provides a personal way to communicate, and eliminates distractions because students are excited to write their response.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said 5^th grader Richard, who is participating.

The thought behind the project is that handwriting letters will sharpen students’ skills with grammar, spelling and sentence structure, especially because of the straightforward question and answer format.

“I hear, and I forget. I see, and I remember. I do, and I understand,” read Goldmann during a recent lesson. It’s a reminder to her students of the benefits of hands-on learning. JEDIS students in 4^th and 5^th grade, and 8^th graders are taking part.