Items such as coffee filters, gift wrap, paper plates or the inside of cereal box panels all spark the imagination, she notes.
Some parents are willing to write to more than one student.
Students work hard on their writing skills to make a good impression, notes Owens, and are motivated to finish the book because they want to respond to their pen pals' letters. Use plastic tablecloths found at dollar bargain stores for your background, suggests Bethel Park, Pa., high school teacher Barbara A. Eisel. The cloths don't fade or show marks left by staples, so they will last all year long. Use tablecloths in either bold solid colors or patterns to help vary your design. All rights reserved.