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Kicking Off Learning Partners
Afghan-a-where?
In September 2005, Fred Goldberg, a fourth grade teacher in Townsend, Massachusetts began discussing Afghanistan with his class, kicking off the pilot phase for a unique, multi-media “pen pal” exchange between US and Afghan students.
The program is meant to promote cultural awareness, self-reflection, and communication skills, and seeks to lay the groundwork for students to grow into responsible, open-minded citizens.
Mia adds a colorful, decorated photo to her letter.
There is a growing demand in the United States for multicultural K-12 education. The Learning Partners exchange is designed to help students develop attitudes of curiosity and tolerance toward diverse cultures. These developments are essential building blocks for peaceful communities, where individuals are able to communicate and resolve differences across social and cultural boundaries. Studies show that students who develop a relationship 
with their schoolwork are more likely to succeed. The program activities—which include research, writing, art, critical thinking, and communication—tie directly to the schools’ curricula, enabling the students in both countries to develop that personal connection to their work.
9-year-old Sloane writes to her new friend, Khadela.
Forming this relationship with their assignments and knowing that others are excited to receive the materials they create energize classroom activity, give individual purpose and meaning to otherwise abstract assignments, and encourage trust in the value of their schools. Following the Massachusetts Frameworks, US students began by studying autobiographies. This helped them write their own autobiographical essays to share with their Afghan peers. Students edited their work using self and peer-assessment exercises, using knowledge of another culture to explore their own lifestyles more deeply.
Veronica sends a drawing of her best friend.
Iain Guest, the director of The Advocacy Project, carried the translated pen pal letters to Afghanistan along with 20 disposable cameras. He gave the Afghan students cameras so that they could capture their own “autobiographies” on film and share them with their pen pals.
The excerpts below are from the letters written by American students Sloane, Miles, and Julia, and their teacher, Fred Goldberg. In the letters, they introduce themselves to their new pen pals in Afghanistan.
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Dear New Friend, Hello! My name is Sloane. I am 9 years old, and I live in Townsend, Massachusetts. I own a lot of animals, they are 2 cats and also 3 pet birds. I have 4 people in my family, me, my brother, my mom, and my dad. I am so excited to have someone to write to! It’s so great. One of the cats I own loves me, her name is Snowball, the other one is my brother’s. My favorite food is macaroni and cheese, it is pasta and melted cheese. What kinds of food do you eat? What kinds of animals are in your country? I cannot wait for you to write back! Please send a picture! Your friend, Sloane |
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Hi, Your friend, Miles |
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Hello, My name is Julia I live in Townsend, Massachusetts. I am 9 years old and have five people in my family. I don’t have a favorite food because I like to many foods. I have animals. My favorite animal is a dog. We have four seasons, How many do you have? My favorite sport is basketball. You play by throwing a ball in to a net. What is your life like? Please write back. Julia |
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Hello, Fred Goldberg |
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