ELL students tell the history of Thanksgiving for Poland pen pals

English Language Learners who are communicating back and forth with students in Poland are trying a new format to send their messages. Students recorded a video explaining the tradition of Thanksgiving in the United States. Once the video is sent to their Poland pen pals, students here at JE expect a response video about Christmas traditions in Poland.

“Thank you to all students who are participating, we are very happy to be able to share different perspectives,” said JEMS Principal David Shafer.

JEMS is an International Baccalaureate school, and lessons such as these fall in line with what students are taught daily. IB Coordinator Alexis Farnsworth explained one IB learner attribute is to be a communicator. ELL students are truly reaching across the divide to communicate with students across the globe.

“We like to create international mindedness in students, staff and community, and this is an excellent example of that happening authentically,” added Farnsworth. “It’s a great opportunity to share traditions and cultural backgrounds with lots of different people in different places.”

Students in Danuta Goldmann’s ELL class have been conversing with students in Poland for weeks now in a project called “Words on Wings Across the Ocean.” All students who are participating are learning English as a second language. JEDIS students in 4^th and 5^th grade, and 8^th graders are taking part. See the Thanksgiving traditions video below, or click here.