US Teachers

-Jan Horn, Shearer Elementary, Winchester, KY

Thank you for being a positive impact on students in our community!

Only the most exceptional and truly invested teachers seek out and become involved with unique activities that offer their students an exciting way to learn. Through Books as Bridges, educators have the opportunity to take advantage of lesson plans that address issues of developing countries, service learning projects that engage and excite your students, and a world of resources that help you open the door to new and exciting cultures for your classroom.

A Service Learning Program

At the beginning of the school year, international participants of the Books as Bridges program receive a $50 stipend and a small shipment of books. As these aspects are an integral part of the program, Books as Bridges encourages US partner classrooms to help by fundraising to send the next shipment of books and stipend for their partner classroom, for a total of $200. Service learning projects such as this engage students and offer a real-life setting for applying their education.

Some example fundraising projects include:

• Divine Chocolate Fundraiser: Order your chocolate through the International Book Project and they will be delivered to your school within 2-3 weeks. The chocolate bars cost $1 each and can be sold for $2 each.


• International Food Day: Students can make and bring cultural food (get the recipes from your pen-pals!) and sell tickets for $1 to participate.


• Family Showcase Night: Set up a booth at a family night at your school with information about your pen-pals, their school, and their country. Decorate a donation jar and give small handmade gifts to donors!


• Craft / Artwork Sale: Create crafts and artwork to sell or auction at a family night. Invite family, friends, and community members!


• Yard Sale: Host a yard sale at your school’s parking lot on a Saturday in the fall.

Cultural Literacy Lessons

Books as Bridges classrooms in Kentucky are invited to schedule a Cultural Literacy Lesson administered by the BAB Coordinator. For these one to two hour lessons, students explore their partner country’s culture through food, crafts, games, activities, and discussion. To read more about Cultural Literacy Lessons, please read the blog of the International Book Project. Sign Up for a Cultural Literacy Lesson Online!

Getting Started

After you have received the email address of your correspondent, you should begin by writing an introductory email. From there, you will work together to arrange when packages and letters will be sent, whether email and internet will be used among the students, and any other logistical information. Ideally, each class will send a package in the beginning to start the exchange. One class can send individual letters, and the other can send a "culture package" filled with pictures and itmes that offer a sample of their unique lifestyle.

If you are interested in becoming a Books as Bridges US partner classroom, you may fill out the online request form now.