My third grade students wrote to pen pals from North Carolina and Maryland.
In reading my students read, "Pen Pal for Max," a story about kids who are pen pals; they are also learning how to write letters. I thought that it would be a very rewarding and relevant experience to have each student actually have a pen pal. I supervise the content and editing of the letters and provide directions as to what would be suitable topics to include which would help the students involved learn from experience. I send the letters in a large envelope from school to school, so no home addresses are needed.
I contacted two of my teacher friends and asked if they would be interested. The schools are in North Carolina and another in Maryland.
My reading students and homeroom students loved the experience and were always super excited to read their letters and write back to their far away friends!