Keypals from down the hall, across town, the next state, or around the world have aspects or characteristics of their culture that they can compare with your class. Having your students exchange this kind of information with other students will be more effective in helping them understand cultures that are different from their own than simply reading about these differences in a book. Appreciation of the diversity of their keypals can instill in your students greater knowledge of themselves as well as others. Compile a knowledge docket. Pair up keypals, one from each class.
Students can read their knowledge docket from time to time as an interesting reflective experience.
The docket creates an electronic portfolio that gives teachers insight into student likes and dislikes and what students find troubling about their learning experiences. At first, it can be helpful for teachers to model the activity for the class as a whole group experience. It can take students time to get the hang of this activity, but once they do, student interchanges are often meaningful. The power of this variation lies in the sense of community formed within the class groups and between the class group and its keypal group. In addition, working in groups helps students focus and clarify their ideas and brings greater precision to their use of language.