FAQs

Should we send money to our partner organization?
No. Although monetary aid is very often needed, it should never be given from a US Books as Bridges partner classroom to another teacher or individual abroad. Books as Bridges offers our international partners a $50 stipend to help pay for the costs related to the program, including school supplies, postage, and film development. Instead, use the money to send necessary school supplies or an additional IBP shipment of books.

How many packages should we send to our partner classroom?
Each class should send at least two packages of letters and two packages of crafts or Kentucky/US memorabilia. The first package of letters should be sent by the US partner classroom, and upon receipt of the first international package, the US classroom should send another. US classrooms should not feel obligated to send several packages without having received at least one from their partner classroom. However, please be understanding of your partner classroom’s circumstances – there are often transportation problems, unreliable postal service, inclement weather, and many other possible reasons for delays in receiving packages.

Can we use internet, email for the students, and digital pictures?
Absolutely! If your partner classroom’s students have access to email and the internet, please encourage use of it. Doing so will allow your students to send and receive more letters. While internet access and an email address is required of the Books as Bridges teacher/administrator, it is not always an option for the students.

Should I assign an individual pen-pal for each student in my class?
Assigning individual partners or pen-pals is not necessary, though it does occasionally work out. More often, however, the classroom sizes differ and it is easier to send a package of several individual letters written to any student.

How do we get help paying for postage?
Ideally, Books as Bridges classrooms in the US are able to request funding for postage and supplies through their schools or students’ families. Teachers and students have also found that local businesses are often willing to encourage philanthropic actions in youth through donations. If your class finds that shipping the packages is too expensive, you may fill out a request for Cultural Literacy Project funding.

How do I ship packages internationally?
The US Post Office offers Flat Rate Envelopes that you can purchase at a flat rate, fill, and then send internationally (available at the post office). Other packages will be priced according to weight and size. More information on shipping internationally, including customs forms and price calculators, can be found on the US Postal Service website.

What are some suggested fundraising projects?
Check out the US Teacher Homepage to see some suggested service learning projects. If the suggested projects do not fit your classroom, feel free to create you own or email the Books as Bridges Coordinator for additional help.

Are there certain lessons I should teach related to Books as Bridges?
Books as Bridges offers a curriculum based on issues in the developing world. While these lessons go hand-in-hand with using Books as Bridges as an educational tool, they are not a requirement of the program. Visit the US Teachers Resource Page to find the Books as Bridges curriculum.

What is service learning?
Service learning is characterized by students working cooperatively, rather than competitively, and challenges values as well as ideas. Students assume a greater responsibility as they work to benefit someone else through their service project.

To learn more about service learning, visit the Learn and Serve site at www.servicelearning.org.

What is the International Book Project?
The International Book Project (IBP) sends more than 150,000 books each year to over 40 developing countries. Seeking to address the need for cultural literacy and higher reading levels in Central Kentucky, IBP started Books as Bridges. To learn more, please visit IBP’s webpage, at www.internationalbookproject.org.

What are the program requirements?
As part of Books as Bridges, US partners are asked to do the following:

• Send the first package of letters, and upon receipt of packages from their international partner, send at least 1 more envelope of letters and 2 cultural packages thereafter.
• Lead the students in a service learning project benefitting the students’ partner classroom (fundraising $200 to send the next shipment of books).
• Check email regularly and respond to international partners in a timely manner.

How can I help improve Books as Bridges?
There are several ways to offer your suggestions to help improve Books as Bridges!

• Respond to Books as Bridges surveys and questionnaires,
• Become a part of the BAB Teacher Advisory Group,
• Email the Books as Bridges Coordinator.

What ages/grade levels can participate in Books as Bridges?
Classrooms can range from 1st grade (5-6 years old) to high school (16-18 years old). It is somewhat challenging to match classrooms perfectly by age and grade level, so classes may have to write to students that are 1-2 grades ahead or behind.