McLean Students Learn About U.S. States Through Pen Pals

MCLEAN, VA -- Third graders at The Langley School, a private school in McLean, traded in books for firsthand learning about states across the country in a months-long project.

In February, third-grade teacher Shari Bozorgzad decided students could learn more from everyday residents than from a book or article on the Internet. So students began writing to local newspapers in their assigned states, asking residents to help them learn more about their state by sending postcards, maps, photos, souvenirs and other information.

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Students' letters to the editor appeared in 250 newspapers nationwide, and soon their classroom was flooded with letters and souvenirs. Some of the notable items they received were a piece of cotton from Mississippi, rocks from the Yellowstone River, a handmade potholder from Alaska and a Saints jersey, king cake and Mardi Gras beads from New Orleans.

Bozorgzad said some of the responses were four to six letters long. "The students are so excited to come in each day and see what packages have arrived from their state, " she said. "They can read about their state in books and online, but gathering information from the actual citizens gives them a unique perspective and understanding."

One couple from Maine was so impressed with the students' letter to the editor in the newspaper, they decided to visit during their trip to D.C. In April, the couple visited the classroom and shared stories about living in Maine.

"I can honestly say that I am overwhelmed by the generosity and spirit of the people in this great nation," wrote Bozorgzad on the school's blog. "As we continue to study the 50 states – a unit that will culminate with a State Fair in which students will display facts about the state they researched – our third-graders will have a more in-depth understanding of our country thanks to the tremendous response of its citizens."

After the school year concludes, first through third grade students can sign up for a weeklong summer program studying the states. During the program, students will take a virtual "road trip" to events across the country.

View more of the letters and souvenirs students received.

Images via The Langley School