Grade 3 Virtual Museum Project
Central Elementary School, Wilmette, IL

Penpals Across Illinois

Mrs. Mirabelli's third grade class at Central Elementary School invited other schools in Illinois to become pen pals. Through letters and pictures the students shared a lot of information about their home towns. Students at Central School were able to do a comparative study between their penpal's home town and Wilmette.

Come and take a look! Many observations were made and new friendships were created!

Here is a detailed project plan. Penpal Project Plan

click on our penpals homes (or scroll down for links)

Third graders worked in teams.

Each team wrote their penpals and researched a lot of information about their 'pals' town.

Click on each study to see their comparisons and observations.

This project would not have been possible without the help of the teachers and students in our pen pal classrooms! We would like to extend a thank you to the following 2003-2004 classrooms:
Ms. Daytz's 4th grade class at Hayt Elementary School in Chicago, IL
Ms. Breyer's 3rd grade class at Francis W. Parker school in Chicago,IL
Mrs. Armstrong's 3rd grade class at Ridgeview Colfax Elementary School in Colfax, IL
Ms. Clemon's 3rd grade class at Highland-Mid Elementary in Highland, IL
Ms. Earnest's 4th grade class at Grove Elementary in Newton, IL
Ms. Rose's 4th grade class at Nauvoo-Colusa Elementary School in Nauvoo, IL
Ms. Phillips' 3rd grade class at Adams Elementary School in Quincy, IL
Ms. Trieger's 3rd-4th grade class at Springfield Bell Charter School in Springfield, IL

Clarisse R. and Megan H.
Newton, IL Grant S. and Emily V.
Highland, IL

Haley W. and Claire M.
Nauvoo, IL Kevin K and Katie F.
Colfax, IL

Rebecca G. and David W.
Edgewater neighborhood - Chicago, IL Jake M., Emma O. Maggie N., and Hannah H.
Quincy, IL

Oliver G. and Robert L.
Lincoln Park neighborhood - Chicago, IL Rachel L and Serene S.
Springfield, IL

Steven K
Illinois Maps - colored and labeled Danny N.
Wilmette Field Trip

Copies of Penpal Letters

Our letter to Quincy
Our letter to Springfield

Letter from Colfax, IL
Letter from Highland, IL
Letter from Springfield, IL
Letter from Edgewater in Chicago
Letter from Francis Parker School in Chicago
Letter from Francis Parker - February 04