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Escola de Sto.António E.B. 2,3 - Parede Ana Cristina Almeida, António Rey, Carla Lopes, Carlos Brazão, Daniel Picolo, Fernando Oliveira, Filipa Mateus, Francisco Pires, Inês Barreiros, Joana Faria, Joana Duarte, João Luis Campos, João Pedro Abreu, Margarida Lisboa, Nídia Dias, Pedro Canto, Ricardo Guerrinha, Ricardo Reis, Rita Félix, Rita Bernardo, Ruben Andrade, Rui Aleixo, Tiago Néo e Vera Duarte.    (6º. E) Professora: Teresa Almeida d'Eça Holley Navarre Intermediate School (Navarre, Florida) Ashley Cowan, Barry Scott Caton, Ben Rich, Daila Calhoun, Heather West, Jeannie McManis, Jessica Ledford, Kristen Coletta, Michael, Morgan Raymond, Nichole Clark, Nick Heflin, Nina Dawson, Patrick Poage, Phillip Munday, Robert Johnson, Ryan Cisneros, Shayla Edmonson, Stephen Matthews, Teresa Ann Poast, Tony Viola and Tyler Jerrel. Teacher: Glenn Rutland

VIP(oint): Este intercâmbio cultural por correio electrónico estabeleceu-se entre uma turma portuguesa do 6. ano (no início do segundo ano de aprendizagem de Inglês!) e uma turma americana do 5. ano. Teve início em meados de Outubro de 1998 e terminou na primeira semana de Janeiro de 1999. No entanto, a fase de preparação e o 'acertar de agulhas' entre ambas as professoras teve início logo em princípios de Setembro.

Mantivemos as mensagens originais e o formato original intencionalmente. Logo, encontrará diversos tipos de erros, como é natural! Ao ler ou dar uma vista de olhos por este projecto conjunto, tenha sempre presente que, da parte portuguesa, foi o primeiro realizado com 'uma turma inteira'. Houve sempre grande entusiasmo e um empenhamento muito forte por parte dos alunos do 6. E, que não posso deixar de realçar e de elogiar! Apesar do trabalho intenso e do esforço extra para alunos e professoras, valeu bem a pena! São testemunho disso os diversos comentários espalhados pelo texto. Da parte dos colegas americanos, nota-se também um grande interesse e um entusiasmo contagiante quando 'saem fora' do âmbito do projecto e nos contam a sua visita de estudo ao Kennedy Space Center, onde presenciaram 'ao vivo' o lançamento do vaivém que levou a bordo o veterano John Glenn!

Espero que projectos como o nosso possam contribuir para uma melhor compreensão entre as pessoas e para um Mundo melhor amanhã. A todos, portugueses e americanos, os meus sinceros agradecimentos! (Teresa Almeida d'Eça)

VIP(oint): This email cultural exchange took place between a 6th grade class of Portuguese students (beginning their second year of English!) and American 5th graders. It began in mid-October 1998 and ended on the first week of January 1999. However, the preparatory phase between both teachers began in the early days of September.

We kept the original messages in their original format 'on purpose'. Naturally, you'll find different types of mistakes! While reading or browsing through this joint project, please bear in mind that, on the Portuguese side, it was our first venture with 'a whole class'. There was always great enthusiasm and a very energetic involvement on the part of the students from 6. E, which must be emphasized and praised! In spite of the intense work and the extra effort for both students and teachers, it was 100% worthwhile! Proof of that are several comments spread throughout the text. On the American side, there is always great interest and a contagious enthusiasm when they momentarily put aside the main project to tell us about their exciting experience at the Kennedy Space Center, where they saw 'live' the launching of the space shuttle with the veteran John Glenn on board!

I certainly hope that projects like ours can contribute to a better understanding among people and to a better World of tomorrow. My sincere 'thank you' to each and everyone of you on both sides of the Atlantic! (Teresa Almeida d'Eça)

7.Sep: Preparing the project

Dear Glenn,

I would like to try a project with you, a few of your students and
some of my 6th graders who will be starting their second year of English. We
can't have anything very difficult. I'm sending you a *draft* of an outline
and I'd like you to give me your opinion. I haven't dealt with any of the
details such as objectives, duration, regularity of exchanges, etc. I'd like
to hear your opinion and ideas first.
I thought of Christmas, because it's such a special time of year that gets
kids all excited. Besides, I keep thinking that, due to your fabulous
climate, Xmas in your neck of the woods may have some additional features.

*The spirit of Christmas*
A. Christmas
1. what is Xmas to you?
2. is there a spirit of Xmas? what is it like for you?
B. Xmas decorations
1. when do you start decorating your home?
2. how do you decorate it (indoors and outdoors)?
3. you can talk about your street, neighborhood or community, if you like
C. Xmas celebrations
1. how is Xmas with your family? do you celebrate Xmas eve, Xmas lunch or
Xmas dinner?
2. talk about Xmas in your hometown
3. you can mention any (special) religious cerimonies you attend
D. Shopping
1. when do you do your Xmas shopping?
2. what kind of presents do you buy? for whom?
3. when do you start putting out the presents?
4. when do you open the presents?
E. Food and drink
1. what is your traditional Xmas lunch or dinner like?
2. let's exchange special or typical recipes
F. Special traditions/customs
1. you can talk about anything special or different that you did not
mention before
G. Conclusion: finding similarities and differences

I think it may be a bit hard for my second-year-English students, but with a
little help... and hard work I hope mine can make it. I can divide them into
groups and each one takes a part, for example. That'll give them more time, I guess.
If you agree with the idea, please give me any tips on what you'd change or simplify.
Looking forward to your reply. Best, Teresa

10.Sep.

The project sounds great---I would love to do it with you---more later
Glenn

27.Sep.

I remember you telling me that you have a class of 25 that could carry out the project.
Well, I too have a 25-student-6th grade, most of whom were my students last
year. I think I could work with them on this *once* a week and the rest they'd have

to do on their own. I'd have to break them up into groups of 4.
We could start with them getting to know each other -- introductions, age,
grade, likes and dislikes, hobbies, how they spend their free time with
their friends -- movies, beach, practising sports --, and anything they'd
like to talk about to *break the ice*.

What I need to know is your schedule with your class and when you can work
with them on the project. I get together with mine Monday-Thursday, one hour
a day. Until Xmas I can reserve one hour a week for the project and they'd
have to go to the computer and send the messages on their free time.
Important is regularity in the messages back and forth, so that they don't
demotivate.
I suggest that one week we'd write and then yours would send their info.,
comments and questions (?). The next week mine would send any relevant
comments and speak about the next point, etc., etc. The point is *not* to
send everything at once. Let's take it one step at a time.
I'd love to hear your comments and suggestions.
Regarding objectives, mine will be very similar to last year's, but with an
additional factor -- assessment. Since the whole class will be working, I'll
save a part of their grade for this (and I'll mention that when I define
mine, OK?).
Hope to hear from you very soon. Best, Teresa

14.Oct.

Hi Teresa,
Yes, my students and I would like to work with you and your students on the
Christmas project. When do you want to start it? Any time is good for us.
We are going to Space Camp on the 27th of October and will return on teh 30th,
then we have Veterans Day as a holiday on Nov. 11, then we have Thanksgiving
Holidays on Nov. 23,24,25 ( I think those days are right ? ) anyway, then our
Christmas break begin on the 19th of Dec. Just let me know when you would
like to start--
Good to hear from you, hope to hear from you soon----Glenn

14.Oct: Talking about the project with the students

Hi Glenn:
I did spend part of today's lesson with 6th E explaining what they'll be
doing and we are all set to start next week.
I divided the class into 5 groups of five (mixed grade levels -- from Very
Good to Very Weak) . Maybe you could do the same (divide them into groups)
and each group of mine (I numbered them from 1 to 5) could interact with a
group of yours. They could call themselves Group 1, 2, ... I told mine that
each group will be working on every topic of the outline for one lesson a
week until Xmas vacation, although, if time runs short, we might need to cut
a topic or two or have less groups talking about each topic. That will
depend on how things go.
My idea is to start as sson as possible. Maybe yours could be the first to

send a message?We must bear in mind that mine are slower -- they've just

started their second year of English.

The objectives on our side are:
1. To establish a social and cultural contact between students from
different and distant communities;
2. To share traditions/customs and experiences that may contribute to a
better knowledge and understanding of one another;
3. To create and promote research habits;
4. To improve the knowledge of English;
5. To stimulate an interest for reading and writing;
6. To introduce new technologies into the learning process;
7. To make students both producers and publishers of their work;
8. To increase the number of readers of the students' work through the
Web.

The project should last around 8-9 weeks. We have a break the first week of
November and then again on Dec. 18 for Xmas.
Hope to hear from you soon, Teresa

19.Oct: Breaking the ice: Our American colleagues introduce themselves

Hi Teresa, Here is my first group of letters to your students. I have
students on Friday also, so when I get those this week, we will do the same
as today......... this is a great project, you have really set it up
nicely. Thanks for all of your hard work. Let me know if we do something
wrong------Glenn

Dear Key Pal,
Hi! My name is Jessica Ledford(girl). I am 10 years old. I am in fifth
grade. My favorite subjects are history, social studies, and math. My
hobbies are soccer, swimming, cross stitch and roller skating. My favorite
movies are Titanic, Lady and The Tramp, Lion King, and Bambi. My favorite
TV show is Growing Pains, my favorite food is pizz.
Your Key Pal,
Jessica Ledford

Dear Key Pal,
My name is Nichole Clark (girl). I am 10 and in the 5th grade. I like to
read, sew, ride my bike, and play with my cat. My favoritemovie is Gone
With The Wind. My favorite food is okra.
Type you later, Nichole Clark

Dear Key Pal,
My name is Nick Heflin (boy). i am 9 years old. I am in the 5th grade. I
enjoy Math, reading, and writing (science). I like to build models and
play video games. My favorite TV show is Nickilodeon.
Thanks, Nick

Dear Key Pal,
My name is Kristen Coletta (girl). I am 10 years of age. I am in the 5th
grade, My favorite subject is Art. My hobbies are diving, skate boarding,
and running. My favorite movie is Titanic. It's a great love story. Have
you seen it? My favorite TV show is Rugrats. My favorite food is pickles.
From, Kristen Coletta

Dear Key Pal,
My name: Dahlonega Calhoun "Daila" (girl)
Age: 10 years
Grade: 5th
Favorite Subject: Reading
Hobbies: Soccer and swimming. I love cats!
I love the movie Titanic and Mary Poppins. Have you seen it?
My favorite TV show is Alex Mack, it's about a girl that has magical powers.
I love mash potatoes and bananas.
Hope to hear from you soon, Daila

Dear Key Pal,
My name is Stephen Matthews. (boy) I am 10 years old. I am in the fifth
grade. My favorite subject is Science. My hobby is watching my turtles.
My favorite movie is The Lost World Jurassic Park. My favorite TV show is
Acorn teh Nature Nut. My favorite food is chili.
Thanks, Stephen

Hi, my name is Nina Dawson (girl). I am 10 years old, in the 5th grade.
My favorite subject is math, My hobbies are reading, and watching TV. My
favorite TV show is Real TV. My favorite movies are Antz, Splitinfinity,
and Twister. Do you like pizza? I do, it is my favorite food. Well now
that you know alittle bit about me, I look forward to hearing about you.
Thanks, Nina

To: Key Pal
From: Jeannie L. McManis (girl)
Age: 11
Grade: 5ht
Favorite Subject: writing
Hobbies: Singing, writing, drawing, biking, and shopping
Favorite movies: Titanic, Somewhere in Time, Sound of Music, Jerry McGuire
Favorite TV shows: Two of A Kind
Favorite Food: Cheese pizza
Other: I have 2 brothers. 1 is a half brother. I live with my mom in
Navarre, Fl. I love my blue Teddy Bear.
Thanks, Jeannie

21.Oct: Portuguese teacher's comments on the first messages

Hi Glenn:
What perfect timing for the reception of your students' first messages. Just
in time to completely surprise mine by handing them the prints at the end of
our first class dedicated entirely to the project. What an excitement!! They
weren't expecting it at all. I'm really anxious to hear their comments
tomorrow morning.
They've already written their first texts (in the classroom, where there is
no computer), so I'm going to try and have some of them write them in the
computer tomorrow afternoon. Some of these texts have several mistakes,

but I'm not going to correct them *on purpose*. It's good for your students

to see what mine can do and the effort on their part to do it, and mine can/will

(I hope) gradually correct themselves.
Hope you'll hear from us tomorrow. Take care, Teresa

22.Oct: Portuguese students talk about themselves

Hi, kids! This is Teresa Vaz, your portuguese keypals' English teacher. Your
new friends have truly enjoyed writing these first messages for you and went
crazy over your first messages last Tuesday. We hope to have great fun doing
this project and to learn a lot about about each other's cultures and
communities on opposite sides of the Atlantic.
I sincerely hope that this kind of exchange (which is carried on all over
the world) will contribute to a better understanding among people, thus, to
a better society in general.
Hope you all have a great school year! I'm sure you will if you love
learning as much as I love teaching! :-)

Hi! We are the *group number one* and we are in the sixth grade. Here are
our numbers:1, 4, 6, 24 and 25.
My name is Vera. I am eleven. My favorite hobbies are reading, running and
watching TV.I like the series Ally McBeal, Superman, Emergency Room and
Veronica’s Secrets. My favorite color is blue. Our school is Escola de
Santo António, near Lisbon. My favorite subjects are English and Portuguese.
My favorite pop groups are Spice Girls, Aqua, Silence 4 and All Saints.
My favorite movies are Titanic, Contact , Godzilla and Small Soldiers.

Hello! My name is Ana and my nickname is Tininha. My favorite hobbies are
reading, swimming and watching TV.
I’m eleven years old. My favorite color is light blue. I live in Parede,
near Lisbon, in Portugal.
My favorite school subject is English. My favorite pop groups are Coolio,
The portuguese Silence 4 and Aqua. I love the series Ally McBeal.
My favorite film is Titanic. My favorite food is spaghetti, I love it!

My name is Fernando. I am twelve. I’m beautiful. My nickname is Baby,
because I’m short. My Big friend is João.
My favorite hobby is running. My favorite color is red. I like to play
football and watching TV. My favorite pop groups are The Moffats, Excesso
and Spice Girls.
I like coca-cola and donuts and I hate squid and fish.

Hi! My name is Carlos and my nickname is Careles. I am eleven years old.
My favorite color is dark blue. My favorite hobby is running. My best
friends are: João, Daniel, Ricardo, Ruben, all girls and my stupid friend is Tiago.
My favorite school subject is gimnastics and my favorite pop group is Kelly Family.
I don’t like boxe and I like Karate.

Hi! I’m Tiago. I’m ten years old, but in twenty-second of December I’m going
to be eleven. I’m the youngest of the class.
The girls call me Nobel Prize of The Stupid, because they hate me.

We are the *group number 2* and we are of the 6th E. We atend Escola Sº
António. Our name's are : Daniel, Rita, Filipa, Nídia and António.
Hello, boys and girls! My name is Daniel and I'm eleven years old. My
birthday is on the 15th of March. I'm tall and thin . My hair are Light
brown and my eyes are brown. My favorite hobbies are: Swimming, Watching
T.V. , reading and gimnastic. I like pizza, lasagna, and I hate fava beans.
I have 1 sister . My mother's 37 and my father's 39. They are separate. I'
ve got 11 pets:1cat, 2 dogs, 4 fish, 3 turtles and 1 bird. My best friends
are: Carlos, Ricardo,António and João. My favourite pop group is "Era".I
live in S.Domingos de Rana.I'd like to meet you! Oh! I love my grandmother's
dog.His name's Kiki.Bye!

I'm Filipa.
I'm 15 years old.
My nationality is portuguese.
My favourite pop group is G.N.R.
I love my mother ,father and my brother.
I love Titanic, Save Private Ryan.

Hello! I'm Rita. My hobbies are:swimming, listening Music, Watch T.V. and
cicling. I have five one sisters and no brothers. I have five pets. My
favorit pop group are: Sielnce 4, Hanson and the Spice Girls. I hate
vegetables and I like chips and chicken. My nationality is portuguese. My
favorite film is Titanic.

Hello! I'm António and I'm eleven. I have one brothers and one sister. I
have two dog, twenty-six birds. My favorite hobbies is judo. My favorite pop
group is Silence Four.

Hello! We are the *group three*. We are in Escola de Santo António, near
Lisbon, and in the sixth grade.
Hi! I’m Joana Duarte. I’m eleven years old. My birthday is on the April Fools' Day.
My favorite school subject is Engish. I like coca cola and McDonald’s Hamburgers.
My favorite hobby is reading. I don’t like snakes. My favorite movie is Titanic.

My name is Margarida Lisboa. My birthday is on the first of November. I’m
tem years old. My favorite hobbie is painting. I don’t like snakes. My
favorite subject is Manual Works.

Hello, I’m Carla. I’m sixteen years old. My favorite subject is Gimnastics.

I am Ruben. I am ten years old. My birthday is on the second of November.
I like coca-cola. My favorite hobby is watching TV.

Hello, my name is Ricardo. I am thirteen years old. I live in Aboboda near
Lisbon. I’m Portuguese.

Hello! We are the *group 4*. We are of the school Stº António da Parede,
near Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. We are of six year.
Hello! My name is Rita,I’m ten years old. I love dogs and cats. I play the
guitar and swimming too.I atend school Sº António-Parede, in Portugal.I am
in six years.My favourite pop group are Aqua.I’ ve got 1 dog, two cats, one
fish and one bird.

Hello my name is João Pedro.I’ m 11 years old. I like playing computer and
see television. I atend the school of Sº António. My favourites movies are
Star-Wars, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park and Godzzila.

Hello my name is Joana Faria.I’m eleven years old.I atend 6th year.I live in
Parede.I love cats, fish and birds.My favourite pop group are Silence 4,
Netinho and Prodagy.

Hello my name is João Luís.I am 11 years old.I attend 6th year.I live in
Parede.I am portuguese.I like chiken with potatoes.My favourites pops group
are the Prodagy,Silence 4 and Savege Garden.I like maths.

Hello! We are *group 5*.We are of the school S.Antonio da Parede, near
Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. We are of six year.
Hi! I'm Pedro Canto ,I'm 11 years old.I live in Caparide, I like of pizza
and I don' t like broccoli. My favorite hobby is playing computer. I' ve got
brown hair and light brown eyes.My favorite school subjects are English and
E.V.T (Visual and Technological Education). My favorite pop group is Silence
four. My favorite colour is red. My birthday is on the fifteenth of May. I
was born in Oeiras.

Hi! I'm Inês Patrícia. I am twelve years old. I' ve got blond hair and brown
eyes. I live in Parede. I like pizza and I don't like cheese.
My favorite hobbies cycling,gymnastics,swimming. I' ve got two sisters.
My sister Ana has got 10 years old.She was born 2nd of September.And my
sister Joana has got 15 years old. She was born 21st of January.
My favorite school subjects is Gymnastics,English and E.V.T.
I'm Portuguese.
My favorite pop group is Moffats,Silence 4,Prodigy and Daniela Mercury.
My favorite colour is baby blue. And my birthday is on the twenty- second of June.
My favorite film is Titanic and Small Soldiers.

Hi! I'm Ricardo Reis. I am ten years old and I live in Parede. I like
Chinese food and I don't like Winter. My Favorite hobby is skating. I've got
brown hair and brown eyes. My favorite school subject is Math. My
nationality is Portuguese.
My favorite rock group is Mettalica.
My favorite color is brown and my birthday is on the nineteenth of November.

Hello! I'm Rui Pedro. I like pizza.

Hi! I am Francisco, but my friends call me Xico. I am eleven years old.I
like pizza and I like drawing.

22.Oct: Email from my students after their first typing session

Hi, Glenn:
I had four kids writing the messages into the computer. And when all the *hard* work
ended, I asked them if they'd like to send me an email message with their
first comments/impressions. General excitement!! (I was completely on the
side while they did it, and they were having the time of their lives,
probably imagining what I'd feel a few hours later when reading their messages at home!)
This was the result.The only relevant comment that comes to my mind is: *It
just shows how worthwhile the extra hours we spend with them are!* (This
took 2 1/2 hours of their free time and mine! But I'm positive it's an
experience they'll never forget.)
Take care, Teresa

-----Original Message-----
From: Escola do 2º e 3º Ciclos do Ensino Básico de Stº António
Date: Quinta-feira, 22 de Outubro de 1998 18:06
Subject: email project

Vera
I love this project because it give to us the possibility to contact with
american students.When do we repeat this?

João
I like so much.I like to repeat in November again.

Ana
I love this project because I can comunication to other country.

Filipa
I like too much to be today with you, Vera, João, Ana and Inês.

Inês
I love to work with you today.

23.Oct: More about our American friends

Hi Teresa, I received your student's information this morning. Their
English is wonderful. My students were so impressed.
We will send information today about my Friday group. This is really
working out great! Thanks---Glenn

My name is Phillip Munday I am 10 years old. My favorite subject is math.My
favorite movie is SPACE JAM .I don't watch much T.V..My favorite thing to
do is play sports.

My name is Ben Rich, short for Benjamin Jonathan Rich. I'm 10
years old, my favorite subject is math, my favorite food is
pizza, my favorite movie is the X-files movie, my favorite TV
show is the X-files series, and I like to build with legos.
P.S, Don't ask me if I'm rich,
because I'm not. It's just the family last name.

Hello, my name is Heather Ashley West. I am 10 years old
and I attend Holley-Navarre-Intermediate School.My favorite subject is
gifted.This is also my favorite class.I have many favorite foods but since
I have so many of them I will only list one.The one is the Spicey Chicken
Sandwich from Wendy's.One of my favorite pop groups is the Spice Girls.Some
of my favorite movies are CITY of ANGELS,TITANIC,and ANGELS IN the
OUTFEILD.Some of my favorite television shows are SABRINA,BOY MEETS WORLD
and ALL THAT.Some of my favorite things to do are gymnastics,
cheerleading,listening to music,skating,and reading.

NAME:SHAYLA D. EDMONSON
AGE:10 YEARS OLD
FAVORITE SUBJECTS:MATH AND READING
FAVORITE FOODS:HOT DOGS OR CHICKEN AND RICE
FAVORITE TV PROGRAM:CHARMED
FAVORITE HOBBIES:GYMNASTICS,CHEERING,AND SINGING

NAME:TONY A. VIOLA
AGE:10 1/3
FAVORITE SUBJECT: SCIENCE
FAVORITE FOOD: STOVE TOP STUFFING
FAVORITE MOVIES: ARMAGEDDON AND THE STAR WARS TRILOGY
FAVORITE T.V. SHOWS: STARGATE SG-1 AND DOUG
FAVORITE THINGS TO DO:PLAYING NINTINDO 64,COMPUTER,AND LEGOS

NAME: TYLER JERRELL
AGE: 10
FAVORITE SUBJECT: HISTORY AND MATH
FAVORITE FOOD: PEPPERONI PIZZA
FAVORITE MOVIES: INDEPENDENCE DAY AND STAR WARS TRILOGY
FAVORITE T.V. PROGRAM: GARFEILD AND RUGRATS
FAVORITE THING TO DO: BUILD LEGOS

NAME:Barry S.Caton
AGE:11
FAVORITE SUBJECT:HISTORY AND SCIENCE
FAVORITE FOOD:PIZZA (WITH EVERY THING ON IT)
FAVORITE MOVIES:INDEPENDENCE DAY ,MISSION IMPOSIBLE,& RUGRATS MOVIE
FAVORITE T.V. PROGRAM:RUGRATS,DOUG,ANGRY BEAVERS,AND ROCKOS MODERN LIFE
FAVORITE THING TO DO:FOOTBALL,SOCCER,AND BASSBALL

NAME: MORGAN RAYMOND
FROM: NAVARRE, FLORIDA
AGE: 10
FAVORITE SUBJECT: MATH AND SCIENCE
FAVORITE FOOD: ICE CREAM,PIZZA, AND SPAGHETTI
FAVORITE TV SHOW: I DON'T WATCH TV THAT MUCH
FAVORITE MOVIE: I DON'T WATCH MOVIES THAT MUCH EITHER
FAVORITE THING TO DO: I'M IN BOY SCOUTS AND I LOVE THEIR CAMPOUTS TOO.
INFACT, I'M LEAVING FOR THE FALL CAMPOREE ONCE I GET OUT OF SCHOOL. I ALSO
ENJOY DOING SPORTS.

Name:Ashley Cowan
Age:10
Favorite Subject:Math
Favorite Food:Pizza,Salad,and Ice Cream
Favorite TV Show:Unsolved Mysteries
Favorite Movie: Titanic
Favorite Thing To Do:Ride my bike

Hello, my name is Robert Johnson.I'm 11 years old.My favorite subject is
Socail Studies and P.E.(Physical Education)My favorite food is Pizza and
Air Heads.My favorite movie is ANTZ, and my favorite thing to do is play
Soccer,Basketball, and Baseball.Also video games are cool.My favorite music
is Fastball.

Hello, my name is Ryan Cisneros. I am 11 years old. My favorite
subject is math. One of my favorite foods is chicken. My favorite movies
are Jurasic Park and The Lost World. My favorite TV program is Extreme
Machines on The Learning Channel (TLC).My favorite thing to do is to ride
bikes and build LEGO's.

Well, another group done. My students are so excited about this project.
They want to come and meet everybody......now that's another project all by
itself! Anyway, thank you again for setting all of this up.

Anyway, we will be a Space Camp next week so you will not hear from us
until the following Monday. We will be down at the Kennedy Space Center
when John Glenn launches----if you get it on TV, look for us, we will be at
the Space Camp area. We'll let you know all about it when we get back.
Have a great weekend. Glenn

26.Oct: The Spirit of Christmas

Dear Rita,
Christmas is a very special holiday. To me it is not getting a
present that counts, but the warm feeling you get inside when someone opens
a present from you and says, "Wow! I love it! Thanks!" I think that
Christmas is a wonderful holiday for children, (because of the magic of
Santa Clause!) And adults too, (because of their children's faces when
they open their first present!) Christmas is very special to me. The
spirit of Christmas is something priceless.It is when the children's faces
light up as they check to see if Santa ate and drank his cookies and milk.
Your Key Pal, Teresa Anne Poast
P.S. We have alot in common! I like to swim, watch t.v., listen to music,
and ride my bike too! I only have one pet, a large black dog named
Hrothgar. I used to have two pets, but my mother killed my fish. I also
like the Spice Girls, I hate vegetables and like chips and chicken, and one
of my favorite films is Titanic.
Again, Your Key Pal, Teresa Anne Poast A.K.A. Annie

Dear Fernado,
I'm Michael 1.Christmas is total anxiety.Its hard to sleep and wait.Its
pretty fun though.2.I have no real tradition but decorating the tree.
your new friend, Michael

Dear Fernado,
My name is Michael,I'm 10.I wish to see you one day.I'm sad that Gerie
broke up with the Spice Girls.I like fishing, playing,and drawing. My
favorite movies are T2 Judgementday Airforce One,and James Bond.I have 1
brother and 1 sister,ages 9.I have a choclate
Lab named Hoss.
Your friend, Michael

Dear Rita,
Hi! My name is Jessica I'm 10 years old. Now for the project. Christmas
to me is a very special time, it is good to get together with my family.
My family always opens presents after my aunts and uncles and
great-grandparents get there. I am in the 5th grade. I have a dog and a
pool in my backyard. I also have a little brother named Zachary. I hope
you write back soon.
Your Key Pal, Jessica Ledford

Dear Key Pal(Carlos),
My name is Patrick(boy) and I'm 10 years old and am in the fifth grade.
My hobbies are playing soccer and collecting sports cards. My favorite
subjects are Math and Science. My nicknames are Patch and/or Patrico. I
have one dog named Jessie. She is a girl. Do you have any pets? I also
have a sister named Joanna. My mom's name is Mary and my dad's name is David.
Your Pal, Patrick Poage

Dear Carlos,
Christmas(to me) is the best holiday in the year. To, me Christmas is
also a time of giving and receiving. You had better believe in Santa in my
family or you won't get any presents. You don't believe you don't receive.
Yes, in my family there is a spirit of Christmas. We always go to church
on Christmas Eve. Also on Christmas Eve we get to open one of the many
presents we get. Sometimes we sing Christmas Carols. This Christmas we
might go snow skiing. We usually have a big breakfast on Christmas morning.
Your Key Pal, Patrick Poage

Dear Joana,
Christmas to me means time with my family and friends. Also it
means a peaceful time of the year. every
year my brother, Steel and I get a new ornament for the tree. We still have
ornaments that we put on the tree from when I was one. In my house the
spirit of Christmas is happy and joyful.
Sincerely, Daila Calhoun
P.S. I love hamburgers too!

Hello Ines,
I am Kristen, I am 10 years old. What is
your oppinion of Christmas? I think it's magical. Do you think
there is a spirit of Christmas? I do,I think there is this
spirit that brings joy and happiness.
From, Kristen Coletta

Dear Antonio,
Christmas is a time when my famly gets together and celebrates Christmas.
We usually hang lots of decorations. Our spirt of Christmas is singing and
listening to Christmas songs. Do you believe in Santa Claus?
Sincerely, Nick

Dear Margarida Lisboa,
Christmas to me is a fun holiday celebrating Jesus' birth.
At my house we have never and still never believed in Santa Clause. We just
celebrate Jesus' birth.My tradition is sometimes we have relatives or
people who are less fortunate come to my house and we usually eat chicken
or left over turkey from Thanksgiving. We have a BIG dinner. On Christmas
morning I wake up and there is nice Christmas music playing. We all wake up
and go to the living room. We're not allowed to just get OUR presents, we
have to get someone elses presents and give it to whoever it's to. That's
pretty much what we do at Christmas. P.S. I don't like snakes either.:)
From:Nina Dawson

Dear Carla,
What is Christmas to you? Christmas to me is the Celebration of Jesus'
Birth.Is there a spirit of Christmas?Yes, there is a spirit of Christmas at
my house.At my house we put up the Christmas tree in the beggining of
December.At the beggining of Christmas Break we get ready to go to our
Dad's house, in Cleveland,OH.When we get to OH.my Mom takes us to our
aunt's house, where our Dad comes to get us.My mom stay's at our
aunts.After we get to his house we unpack and put up the tree and decorate
it.On Christmas we go to our Grandma's house.She makes us ham because no
one in my family likes turkey.After dinner we can open presents.
Your Keypal, Jeannie McManis

Dear Key pal Rui Pedro,
What is Christmas to you? Christmas to me is being with my family and
eating ham and chicken and playing whith the things on the Christmas tree.
What is the spirit of Christmas to you? To me it is having fun with my
family. By playing board games and sometimes we go to my grandparents
house. your key pal, Stephen

Dear Joana Faria,
My name is Nichole.I think christmas is a time for you see your famliy
and worship the birth of the lord. Is there a spirt of Christmas? yes.
Every year on Christmas day we go to my grandma's house and have Christmas
lunch and watch Christmas movies but we do not open presents until night
time.that is what we do on Christmas.
P.S. I have a cat too. Nichole

2.Nov: More on the spirit of Xmas

Dear keypal:
For me Christmas is a very special season.
Parede is near the sea, so, don’t snow.
It’s a shame. I am very corious, because the presents, of course. I live a
very misterious season.
Write soon, Vera.

Dear Ashley:
Christmas is for me a special date.
In parede don`t snow, It’s a shame.
I like get presents and the last year I receive three games, three books
and a cd of the Spice Girls(The Spice world) and the CD is very cool.
Bye! Bye! Write soon! Ana.

Dear friends:
Christmas is for me one thing very pretty.
I like the turkey (the principal food) Ilike the presents and Ilike to
decorate the Christmas tree.
Fernando

Dear friends:
Christmas in my house is very merry. I`m receive presents.
This year I want a bike and a CD. My christmas is with my family next to a
christmas tree.
I like christmas in Portugal!!! Carlos

Dear friends:
Hi! It's Tiago again.
The Christmas is for me a season very special. Not very people in the street
of Parede (where I live) in the evenig. Lights in the windows and very
decorations. Christmas songs and lots, lots of toys.

HELLO I'M ANTÓNIO, I like Xmas. In The Christmas of my family, the food
is very very good. My spirits of cristmas is a very happy. I have a big
party. I'm happy, I like my family.

Hello ! I'm Rita
And I want speak of my Xmas. In the day of Xmas I go a walk with my family
for the river. And I have a big party of Christmas. My Christmas is happy.
At midnight I open my presents.

Hello! Is everything good!
my name is Filipa. I like Christmas very much.

Hello! I am Nidia. I am 13 years old
My Christmas is very nice with many gifts.

Hello! Now I speak of my Xmas:
Xmas for me is when to celebrate the day the birth of Jesus Crist.
I love the Xmas becouse, in the day 24th, at night, I open the presents.
Once I even got a shampoo and toilet-soap.
Bye,bye, Daniel

Dear keypal. Hi, I’m Joana Duarte.
Christmas for me is the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
The spirit of Christmas for me is the friendship, the happiness,
understanding of each other and Santa Claus.
We open the presents on midnight 24th.

Hello, this is my Christmas.
My Christmas is midnight of 24th and 25th of december.
My Christmas in my family - my grandparents, my parents, my sisters, my
uncles, my aunts and my cousins.
Margarida

Hello, here I am again.
What is Christmas for you?
For me is spirit of friendship.
Ruben

Hello: I’m Carla. I like Christmas.
It is happy season. We are with the family.

Hello: my birthday is on 24th December. I open my presents at midnight.
Ricardo Guerrinha

Hello,Nick,I am Joana Faria.
For me Chrismas it's happy. The day before Chrismas portuguese tradition is
eating cod. Chrismas tree is always beautiful.
Do you like Chrismas? I like.
Good bye.

Hello,Jeanie. I am João Luis (boy). What is spirit Chrismas to you? I like
open my presents on day before Chrismas. My favourite food is turkey, when
you open your presents.
Do you like put in your tree a star?
Do you like spirit of Chrismas, Jeanie?
Good bye.

Dear keypals:
Hi!!! I am Rita Félix.
For me the Chrismas is very nice. I love Chrismas, get gift and open gift too.
My Chrismas in family is my mother, my father, my grandparents, my brother,
my cousions... We celebrate the 24th and 25th of December.
Bye,bye!

Hello, Stephen Matthews.
My name is João Pedro (boy).
I like too the Lost World Jurassic Park.
What is the spirit of the Chrismas for you? For me is a special day, when
the Jesus is born.
My favourite food of the Chrismas is turkey.
In midnight I open the presents.
GOOD CHRISMAS TOO YOU!!!

Hello! I'm Xico of the last letter, for me Chistmas is the reunion of the
family and the celebration the birh of Jesus Crist, our food it's cod-fish
and turky, at midnight we open the presents.

Hi! I'm Pedro Canto.
Christmas for me is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Crist.
For me the spirit of Cristmas is friendship that the people feel, merriment
in the air and the help we give to needy.

Hello! I'm Ricardo and for me Chistmas is the celebration of the birth of
the Jesus Crist. For me the spirit of Christmas is friendship that people
feel in their hearts. I like the tree of the Christmas.

Hi! I'm Inês.
For me Christmas is the celebration of the birth Jesus Crist.
It's a day very special. Because we can be with the family on friendship
and merriment.
Inês Patricia

Hi, kids and Glenn:
I hope you enjoyed my students' messages as much as they enjoyed preparing
them. I'm sure you've noticed that things are starting to get harder for
them, so I hope you understand what they write. Their enthusiasm is
everything! I get involved as little as possible, because I feel it's
*their* work and that they'll learn more this way. They use dictionaries and
also help each other.
Love, Teresa

2.Nov: Comments from other students

Hi, Glenn:
How was everything at the Kennedy Space Center? Here at home we were glued
to CNN for about two hours. What a fabulous lift off! Beautiful!!! Let us
know all about your stay.
Again I'm forwarding my students' messages at the end of the extra session
of writing their texts in the computer just to show how much they're enjoying it.
Best, Teresa

-----Original Message-----
From: Escola do 2º e 3º Ciclos do Ensino Básico de Stº António
Date: Quinta-feira, 29 de Outubro de 1998 16:50
Subject: email project: the spirit of Xmas

>Hello, teacher!!!
>It's very nice.
> Rita F.
>
>Hello! I'm Rita .
>I like very much this project
>bye, bye teacher.
>
>Hello, I'm Joana Duarte.
>I like this project.It's very, very nice.
>This project is good for us.
>Good afternoon teacher.
>Good bye.
>
>Hi! I'm Pedro Canto.
>I love this project. It's very nice.
>Good bye teacher.
>
>I like the Christmas.
>Ana.

4.Nov: Minor adjustments on the project

Hi Teresa,
One thing I noticed from your student's letters, they are not addressing their
letters to the students who wrote to them. Do you want us to just address
our letters to anybody, in the past we address them to one individual
student. It kind of confused my students since they were expecting to hear
from the student that they had written to. Anyway, let me know how you
would like for us to handle this----
Space Camp was wonderful and the launch of the shuttle was breath taking.
I will have some of the students who went write about their experiences for you.
Thanks again for all of the hard work that you have done to put this
project in motion.
More later---Glenn

5.Nov.

Dear Glenn:
The fact that my kids did not send messages directly to some of yours is *my
fault*, because I didn't show them your emails before they wrote theirs so
they wouldn't be influenced by what yours had written. However, there are
already a few messages directed to specific students of yours and from now
on that will be a common practice, I hope.

I've told mine that they have to read the messages carefully and either keep
the keypal that's already written to them or find a new one. Is that OK? I
think all the pieces will gradually and naturally fall into place as we go
along! Kids are great at that.
We're anxious to hear about Space Camp. Ask your students to explain why
they went there, where they stayed, what they did and, of course, their
feelings about *being there*, being a part of such an important national
event. I think mine will love that. They were all excited about watching the
launch.
Thanks for all the cooperation, Glenn. And thank your kids for me.
Love, Teresa

6.Nov: Impressions of the field trip to the Kennedy Space Center

Dear Daniel,
It's me Ben. I've just gotten back from Space Camp in Florida. Down there
we saw pieces of the International Space Station, went to the Kennedy Space
Center, etc. We also saw Discovery launch.
Signed, Ben Rich

Dear Filipa,
At Space Camp we got to see lots of new things. We got to see the
International Space Station. We got to ride on lots of simulators. I hope
that you are having fun. Your Pal, Phillip

Hi Ruben,
It's me again. If you are wondering about my Space Camp trip it was great.
It was a 9 hour ride to Space Camp. The food and living places were ok.
We went to things called simulators. They are like a model of the real
thing. The launch was spectactular. Your Friend, Tony

Hi Joao Pedro,
I am Tyler Jerrell. The spirit of Christmas for me is family. It is a fun
time. We open our presents as soon as we wake up our parents. Mt favorite
part of Christmas is seeing everyone. Christmas here is like Christmas for you.
Our Space Camp trip was fun. We saw many cool things. At Kennedy Space
Center we saw many neat things. Everything we saw was cool. Especially
the shuttle launch.
Tyler Jerrell

Dear Francisco,
You probably want to know about Space Camp.Well everyone does
We slept in toilet paper-shaped dorms and climbed the walls, literally.We
also had huge pillow fights and played kick-ball.The simulaters were
cool.(If you don't know what a smilator is, see Tony Viola's E-Mail.)I did
the Zero Gravity Wall,The Moon Jump,and The Multi-Axis.The Muti-Axis is a
chair that spins,jerks,and anything else that you can think of.The Dicovery
7 launched while I was down there, it was cool.Well my hands are aching so
see ya!Oh yea, write back this time.
Your Keypal,Robert Johnson

Hello Pedro Canto,
Did you watch the launch Discovery 7 on Oct.29 1998?Well I did,& it
was cool.I watched it at Space Camp in Titusville,Florida.We stayed in
round dorms that looked like metal pipes.It was fun climbing up the side of
the walls.I went on 3 simulators.{If you dont know what a simulator is
read Tony Violas letter.}There names were the Moon Walk,M.A.S.T.I.F.,and
the S.S.M.T. It was fun.
Your friend, Scott Caton

Dear Joao Luis,
As you may know I went to Space Camp on Oct.27, and came back on Oct.30.
During that time, I made a model rocket, went on three
simulators, watched the launch, and more. Our dorms looked like
big pipes. The simulators I went on were the M.A.S.T.I.F., the
"0,G" wall, and the MMU trainer. I had a lot of fun.
Your Friend, Ryan Cisneros
P.S. please write back.

Dear Ricardo,
I'm Morgan Raymond of Navarre, Florida.
I'm 10 years old.
Favorite subject: Math and Science
Favorite Food: ice cream,pizza, and spaghetti
Favorite T.V. show: I don't watch T.V. and movies that much
Favorite movie: " "
I'm in Boy Scouts. I like their campouts too. Infact, I'm leaving for the

Fall Camperee once I get out of school. I also enjoy doing sports.
Last week my gifted class and I went to space camp in Titusville,FL.We
experienced alot of things like weightlessness and eating freeze-dried
foods. We went on alot of simulaters lie the MASTIVE and the 0.6 GRAVITY
CHAIR.Also we went on the 5 DEGREES OF FREEDOM CHAIR.These were some of the
fun ones.There areother ones but we didn't go on them.They had good
sleeping quarters and good food. The best part of space camp was the
LAUNCH!!!!
By: Morgan Raymond

Dear Vera,
My name is Shayla Edmonson.Did you watch the Space Shuttle
launch?If so,did you enjoy it?Well,I did,I watched it from Space Camp.It
was really cool,our dorms looked like really huge pipes.There were 12 bunk
beds in the dorms.All of the female chaperones slept in our dorm,our dorm
was on the 4th floor in alpha. On the 1st day we made model rockets and
ate corn dogs for dinner. On the 2nd day we went on a bus tour around the
Kennedy Space Center, we went to the gift shop, and saw live animals while
we were on the road in the bus. After that we went back to space camp and
went to the Astronaut Hall of Fame. On the 3rd day we did simulators and
watched the shuttle launch.
Your pal, Shayla

Dear Ana,
Did you watch the shuttle launch? If so, did you enjoy it? Well, I did
and I have to admit, it ruled. With a bowl of Space Dots (ice cream) in
my hand, and a thousand thoughts running through my head, I saw John Glenn
go up in space. We stayed in dorms with 12 bunk beds. I luckily got the
top bunk. We ate quality food. Right after the launch we went home. It
was a great experience. Well, that's my story. Write back soon.
Your keypal, Ashley Cowan

Dear Tiago,
I am a girl and my name is Heather. If you can find a picture I would like
to have one of you. Space Camp was really fun. There were lots of rides.
I thought Space Camp was awesome! On the bus tour I sat by a British man.
I barely could understand him. Everytime he spoke I had to say "what?" or
"hmm". The Zero-G wall was really neat. Although I was attached to bungi
cords it felt like I was really floating. I went on another ride where I
rocked, went from sise to side and got flipped upside down. As far as the
launch goes, as astronaut Robert Crippen said, "man that was one fantastic
ride".
Your key pal, Heather

16.Nov: Christmas decorations in Portugal

Hi Heather! I’m Tiago.
I live in an apartment so I put few decorations. We put a big Xmas
tree in the living room, and a little one in my bedroom .
Your key pal Tiago.

Dear Ashley:
I usually do the decorations of Christmas in the first weekend of
December. I comemorate the Christmas on the 25th of December and
my family and me open the presents on midnigth.
I decorate my Christmas tree with candles, balls, stars, ligts, bells,
holly, ribbons...
Now talking about me:
I watch shuttle launch on the television, of course.
And I enjoy it. You are lucky because you watch Jonh Glenn, and you
watch the space shuttle launch live.
P.s. what’s your address ? Like that, after the project you and me can
comutication of letters. Can you send a photo of you?
Write soon! Ana!

Dear Shayla:
In my house, we start decorating the house on the first wekkend of
December. We decorate the house with a crown on the door, Christmas
candles on the table and one Christmas tree.
In my place, some people put a very big Christmas tree and lamp
posts with decorations. I open my presents at midnight.
P.S. Yes , I saw the space shuttle launch. It was really cool.
What is your adress? Have you email? Can send your photo?
Write soon,Vera.

In my house I have three bags and stockings to my sister, my
brother and me. I have candles and Santa Claus. And next to my
Christmas Tree have holly. I send cards to my family. My Christmas tree
have to decorate balls, ribons whith music, stars and bells.
Bye bye, friends!!!! Carlos

Hi! It's Fernando. My family and me decorate the Christmas tree with ligths,
Santa Claus and stars. We sometimes hang holly on the doors and in the windows.

Dear Ben Rich:
In my Xmas, I do my tree with balls, ribbons bright lights, bells, and
Father Xmas, but specialy with presents and my letter. In the door, I put a decoration

with the Father Xmas. My street is decorated with lights, very lights.

I eat turky with potatoes, soup and sweets with my family. Tell me about your Xmas, all right?

Oh! I like your letter! It is very nice! I like you!
Bye! Daniel Picolo (your keypal)

I decorate the door with a big star. The color is golden.
My Xmas tree has ribbons, balls, stars and lights. Nídia (girl)

Dear Teresa Ann Poast:
Hello! Thanks for your message! I want speak for my Xmas decorations.
Here we decorate the streets with little lights and we put in the fireplace
the nativily. In the Xmas I paint the Santa Claus in the windows. I put in
the Xmas tree a little chocolate.
Write soon. Rita Bernardo ( girl)

Hello, Phillip:
I'm Filipa. I decorate my Xmas tree two weeks before December, with balls,
ribbons and lights with music.
Good bye, Filipa.

Dear Nick:
Thank you for your message.
In my Xmas I have a tree. I'm put in my tree lights. I'm very happy! I not
believe in Santa Claus.
I love Xmas songs! In Portugal, Xmas food is good! Tell me about your Xmas.
Send me a photo. António

Hello Jeannie McManis!
This is Carla. I decorate the christmas tree with ribbons, lights
and balls. On the door I put stars .
Carla

Hello ! This is Ricardo Guerrinha .
We decorate our gardden with ribbons and my
Christmas tree with music lights.
Good bye. Merry Chritmas. Ricardo

Hello Nina Dawson !!!
I'm Margarida Lisboa. I decorate my house with ribbons. My Christmas
tree is near window. I put my boots in the fireplace . I decorate my door.
How do you decorate your house ?

Hello Daila Calhoun.
I start decorating of Christmas on 1st December. I decorate my
house in inside and in outside. I do one Christmas tree with balls, lights,

and ribbons and too I do one crown on door.
The streets of Lisbon start to be decorations and stores too .
Now talking about me : Daila Calloun, you are a very lucky. You
sow one roquet . Do you like?
I like Christmas card .
P.S. I'm my house the Christmas its very fun. Send me your photo.
Write soon, Joana .

For Tony .
I decorate my home with a Christmas tree and a nativity. And you?
We don't decorate our garden. And you ?
Good bye. You friend, Ruben.

Dear Jessica:
At time the Christmas my home is very pretty.
On the 8th December I decorate my Chirstmas tree with colored balls and
lights with music of Christmas.
On the outside of the front door I hang one Chirstmas crown. I do nativity
and decorate the home all with decorations of Christmas: colored balls,
ribbons and candles. Bye bye, Rita Felix

Hi, Nichole. Do you belive in Santa Claus? I don't belive.
My house is decorate with candles, stocking , Chirstmas cards, Chirstmas tree, holly,etc.
I like to, open the presents. Do you like to open the presents? My navity is very pretty.
I going shopping, buy presents.
Bye-bye, Nichole. Mery Christmas.
P.S. Write, o.k.? Joana Faria.

Hello! Ryan. How do you decorat your Chirstmas tree? Do you like write
Chirtmas card? Do you Belive in Santa Claus?
I decorat my home with balloons, balls, stars, lights, stockings and
candles. And you, Ryan? Do you sing some carols?
Ryan, do you like do your Chirstmas tree?
Bye bye. Your friend, João Luis
P.S. Write more, o.k.?

Hi Tyler. It's my again, João Pedro.
My house is decoration with candles, balloons and stars.
Do you like write the Xmas card? I like.
Do you believe in Santa Claus? My cousin hide under bed.
Your house are decoration with what?
My house is decoration with Xmas tree, balloons, lights and presents.
Well, bye, bye!
PS: I see in television the launch. Write more, O.K.?

Dear Robert !
I like your leter of the Space -Camp and the simulaters .
I decorate my home with Santa Clauses and bells.
And my Christmas tree it's decorate with bells, red and yellow
balls, stars and a big one on the top. My nativity it's very big
and the fireplace have a stocking with presents.
Your friend Francisco

Hello! I'm Rui Pedro.
I decorate my home with one Christmas tree and some candles.

Hello! Scott Caton!
We start the decorations of Xmas on 8th December.
We decorate my Christmas tree with ribbons, very Christmas balls
and other things and the star on the top of the Christmas tree.
We do the nativity. I put one crown of holly on door and Christmas
cards on table. Usualy they decorate my street with lights of
Christmas.
Your friend Pedro Canto

Dera Morgan Raymond,
It's me, Ricardo.
We start decorations three days before Xmas day. I decorate my house
indoors. We don't decorate outdoors. I decorate the door of my house

and my tree. My tree is decorate wit balls of Xmas and ribbons, of course.

I have a got a star in top of my tree. I have got lights in my tree too.

Dear Kristen,
I decorate all the house with Santa Clauses and Christmas tree and Christmas
lights, and a nativity. The door has holly, lights and stars. And my garden
has a tree with lights, Santa Clauses and ribbons. In the windows too,
Christmas lights. In the outside stars shine. Your friend, Inês
P.S. I love Christmas.

12.Nov: More students' opinions of the project

I love our classe.
I don't like very write .
I'm Margarida. I like this day.

I love too this day.
It was a afternoon very cute.
Bye, bye teacher
Ines patricia.

I like this afternoon and work
in my school.
bye,bye.
Carlos

16.Nov: Christmas in the USA

Hello!Carla,
It's Jeannie,nice talking to you again.We decorate our Christmas
tree with ornaments,lights,and garlin.We also put lights around the
front door.I eat ham,green salad,deviled eggs,and biscuts too!What do you
eat for Christmas dinner? Jeannie

Dear Joana,
Sorry, but I'm writing this letter from school, so I don't have a
photo of me to send to you. But I will send a photo of me next time I
write. Will you send a photo of you?

The rocket was really neat! There were alot of buttons and and switches you had to push.
How many pets do you have? I have a dog named Bongo and a cat named
Sunkist. What is the town you live in like? My town has lots of people and
animals. We have beautiful white beaches and tuquise oceans with dolphins
swimming by.Your Key Pal, Daila C.

Dear Ines,
What's your favorite sport? Mines swimming.Do you have any pets?
I have a dog.He's a dalmation.His name is Champ. Can I have your home
address so I can write you at home.
Kristen Coletta

Dear Rita,
Hello! How have you been? For Christmas, I decorate my home with all
kinds of things, like stuffed animals. My mom has a stuffed frog that
sings "Jingle Bells" when you squeeze his hand. We decorate our tree with
lights and ornaments. I have a small model of the Nativity. For Christmas
dinner, I have roast beef.
Your key-pal, Teresa Anne Poast

Dear Margarida,
Hi! How are you? At my house we decorate around the outside of my house
with colorful lights. I put a wreath on the front door,too. Inside we have
a Christmas tree. We also always listen to Christmas songs, sometimes we
listen to me on the piano and sometimes we listen to them on tapes.

What do you eat on Christmas Day? Can you give me your address? Nina

Dear Rita,
Hi! At Christmas my house is pretty, too. We decorate all over the house.
We put Christmas lights outside and we decorate the tree with lights and
of course ornaments. We set up our nativity scene, too. We start
decorating afther Thanksgiving.
Your Key Pal, Jessica
P.S. Please give me your home address.
Write me at my house and give me yours!

Dear Carlos,
Hi, this is Patrick again with more information about Christmas and
Thanksgiving. I usually start decorating our house around the 15 of
December. I decorate my house with Christmas lights on the roof, a wreath
on the front door, some holly on the mantle above the fireplace, and a tree
to the right of the fireplace. We also put many different sized ornaments
on the tree and Christmas light too. On Christmas morning I'm always the
first one up but still have to wait for everyone before I open my presents.
Oh, if you're wondering where my facts about Thanksgiving are they are
coming up in the sentance after the next. Why the sentance after the next,
because I want to know if you celebrate Thanksgiving? Well my first fact
is we celebrate Thanksgiving because in the year 1620 people called
pilgrims came to this new land and settled here so they could find gold or
because they wanted to believe in their own religion. You see, in England
they couldn't believe in what they wanted to. We celebrate Thanksgiving
because Indians came and helped us. We give thanks for this. And that is
why we celebrate Thanksgiving.
See-ya later, Patrick
P.S.- Here's a mindtwister for you
"Rats" Joseph shouted as his blades shot
out into the air with out hitting anyone.
Despite the danger someone helped him up. Why?
P.S.S.- If you know the answer then please write it to me. Even if you
don't know, tell me and I will tell you the answer.

19.Nov: Time for a pause on the messages. . .

Dear Glenn:

There are no messages this week, because I decided to make a pause and talk
to the kids (today) about the project as well as translate your kids'
messages about Space Camp, which mine hadn't understood completely. They
loved it. And we also planned the 4 weeks ahead. Next week they will be
talking about Xmas celebrations and shopping.
They were all excited about Monday's messages and the addresses.

and for some information on the work of both teachers!

My group has asked me several times what subject(s) you teach. I don't
really know. Will you tell us a little bit about your work? At the moment,
I'm teaching two 5th and two 6th grade English classes. I also have two
hours a week of training in the Computer and Internet Club, where I have
groups of ten kids -- two per computer. I teach them the basics first, then
Word, Internet navigation and email. To wrap up my weekly activities, I
teach three hours of English at a Higher Education School of Tourism to a
group who will be future tour operators. I'm enjoying it a lot. It's my
first venture in higher education and I love it, especially because it
allows me to speak English at the level I like. And the group is very nice.
Say hello to your kids from all of us. Have a nice weekend. Take care,Teresa

19.Nov.

Hi Teresa,
To answer your question about "what do I teach", well I teach Gifted students
(students with a very high IQ- very smart). I teach grades 3,4, and 5. I have
a pull out program, which means that I pull my students out of their regular
classroom one day a week to come to my class and do the work that I give them.
In my classroom we do many different things. I don't teach any particular
subject, we mainly focus on topics that the students are interested in and
then we research those topics and make up presentations that the students
present to the entire class. They have one major project every 6 weeks.
In addition to that we work everyday with the local newspaper discussing
current events, science, math, and social studies. My students do a lot of
writing. It is a nongraded program but an evaluated one. I evaluate all of
their projects-they just don't get a grade on anything. Which gives them the
freedom and security to try new things and not be afraid to make a mistake
because it won't affect their grades. It is a wonderful set up, I love it and
they love it.
I have some very creative students and then I have some who are very smart but
very lazy and don't try very hard. I have a total of 22 4th graders and 23
5th graders and 11 3rd graders. I meet with 1/2 of the 5th graders on Monday
and then the other 1/2 on Friday. On Tuesday I have 1/2 of the 4th graders
and then on Wednesday I have the other 1/2 of the 4th graders. Then on
Thursday I have all of the 3rd graders together. I have wonderful support
from the parents. I keep the same students until they either move up to middle
school(grade 6) or move away from our school district. So I have some
students that I have had for 5 years. It is truly a wonderful way to teach a
group of students. We get to know each other so well, and I don't have to
guess about the level that they are on the next year, I already know where we
left off the year before and I can just pick up there. I would be very hard
for me to go back into the regular classroom - this job has spoiled me so.
We will try to send you pictures over the net of us......it will take us a while. It
is hard to get the camera at our school that is necessary to do that. I will
try though. Have a good weekend...Glenn

23.Nov: More on Christmas in the USA

Hello Rui Pedro,
I decorate my house with Christmas ornaments and a Christmas
tree. Christmas is neat in Florida because it almost never snows. Does it
snow were you live? Also we decorate the porch Christmas wreath. I don't
decorate with candles but occasionaly we have a fire in the fire place.
Please write back.
Your Key Pal, Stephen

Dear Joana Faria
No, like you I do not belive in Santa Claus.I have a navity on my fire
place. Yes, I like to open presents,too.I DECORATE My house with a
Christmas tree and bright lights.On Christmas we eat pie,egg salad and
christmas lemonade,it's lemonade with cinnamon and pepperment.
Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bye! Nichole Clark

Dear Antonio,
Christmas at my house is very fun. We put up a tree and decorate it with
lights,ornamates,and garland. We also decorate the house. Right when we get
up Christmas morning we open our presents. We usually eat steak or pork
chops and beans or peas for dinner on Christmas day.
Nick

Dear Ricardo,
My family and I like to get a nice big Christmas tree and decorate it a
few weeks before Christmas. We also like to decorate our house with lots of
lights and bells. On Christmas Eve we each open one present. On Christmas
morning we all have a huge Christmas breakfast. I get up early on Christmas
morning to play with the toys Santa brought me. We open presents from each
other when everybody is awake. On Christmas night we have a big ham dinner
with lots of different side dishes that change every year. Some examples
of side dishes are corn, green beans, mashed potatoes, and peas. Well,thats
all for now.
Curtis

29.Nov: Christmas celebrations and shopping in Portugal

Hi Glenn and students!
This week we are only sending the group 5 messages, because the other groups
went on to the recipes -- a very difficult part of the project, considering
the vocabulary is new to them in English -- so they didn't have time to
finish. But they'll be sending them on Thursday, OK?
Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Thank you for all your hard work. My students have enjoyed every minute and
some have already sent you *snail mail*. Have any of you already received
letters? In my opinion, this is a great effect of the project. I sure hope
you can all be good friends and, who knows, come to visit us, or vice-versa.
Take care, Teresa

Hello, Robert !
I and my family do the Xmas shopping at November.
We buy things about Xmas: Santa Clauses, Xmas trees and Xmas bells.
At midnight we listen Xmas musics and we sing, too. We open the
presents and eat a cake .
At the next day we are sory the Xmas it's pass.
Merry Smas!!!
Your pal Xico.

Hello Stephen!
Xmas eve I go shopping buy presents.
Your key pal Rui.

Hello Scott Caton!
I celebrate Xmas with my parents, with my brother and with my grandparents.
On Xmas eve, after dinner, we exchange the presents. On Xmas day we go to
the mass. We have Xmas dinner at my grandparents house.
I buy the presents for my parents and for my brother and I put them under
the Xmas tree.
Write soon! Your friend, Pedro Canto

Hello, Kristen!
I celebrate the Xmas with my family. On Xmas eve, I and my sisters expect
midnight - we open the presents. I like open the presents. On the
twenty-fifth, luncheon with the family, after a walk.
Write soon! Your friend Inês

27.Nov: Other students' opinions of the project

De: Escola do 2º e 3º Ciclos do Ensino Básico de Stº António
Assunto: talking about project

Hello, Teacher !
We like the project especially because you are there.
We are sorry because we are very noisy.
What we love was writing:the library is closed.
One anecdote for you laugh:
One boy write on the board:
-The teacher is dumb.
When the teacher is in the class ask:
-Who was the writer of this sentence?
It was the silence in the class.
A student sad:
-It was me.
The teacher say:
_Thank you for telling the truth.
Good bye teacher:
Joana D., Vera D., João L., Nídia and Margarida

3.Dez: Traditional Portuguese Christmas recipes

Dear Shayla, Ashley, Heather, Patrick and Michael.
We are going to write you a recipe:
*Christmas codfish* (6 persons )
6 cod steaks
1 kg potatoes
1 kg portuguese cabbage
3 boiled eggs
1 litre milk
5 big onions
6 round slices of sausage
3 garlic cloves
2,5 dl olive oil
salt and pepper
parsley
80 g olives
hard homemade-type bread

Soak the cod fish 48 h with the skin up and change the water several times.
Peel the potatoes and boil with the cabbage and the eggs in salted water.
Poach the cod fish in milk for 2 minutes. Drain. Cut the onions and the
garlic in thin slices and boil them in salt and pepper. In the bottom of a
tray put a little part of the onion and garlic mix and cover with the
cabbage cut in parts and the sliced potatoes. Over this spread more onion
mix and then put the cod steaks. Cover with the rest of the onion mix and
sprinkle with the eggs, parsley and olives, everything chopped. Season with
pepper and add the olive oil left over from the onion mix and 2 dl of the
milk of the poached cod. Sprinkle with crumbs of hard bread and knobs of
margarine. Put in the oven to cook and brown.

Good appetite! And Merry Xmas!!
Ana Cristina, Vera, Tiago, Carlos and Fernando.

Hi! It's group 2!
Dear Ben Rich, Nick, Teresa and Phillip.
Today we talk you about a recipe:
*Rabanadas* ('Gusts of wind' or Portuguese-style French toast)
ten slices of bread
1 liter milk
5 eggs
cinammon with sugar
vegetable oil
Confection:
Heat the milk and put in a bowl. Moisten the bread very well in the milk and
dip it in beaten egg and fry in hot vegetable oil. When they are golden,
drain very well in kitchen paper and, finally, sprinkle with a mixture of
cinammon and sugar.
Good bye!
Rita B., Daniel, António, Filipa and Nídia

Dear keypals Daila Calhoun, Jeannie Mc Manis, Nina Dawson and Tony
*Christmas cake*
preparation time -2 h
cooking time -45m
Ingredients
500 g sugar
400 g butter or margarine
500 g flour
250 g almonds
10 eggs
2 teaspoon cinammon
1 grated lemon peel

Decoration
250 g royal icing
250 g white marzipan
coloring substances, green, red, yellow, brown
sugar
1 red ribbon

Preparation
Mix the butter with sugar till obtain a white cream. Add the eggs one at a
time. Beat between each addition. Add the flour mixed with the grated lemon
and the cinammon. Then add the almonds peeled and grated. Put the dough in a
big mold greased with margarine and sprinkled with flour. Put in the oven
(325 F) for 1 hour 15 mins. When finished, take out of the mold and let it
cool on a net. Cover it with royal icing. Put sugar on top. Separate the
marzipan into chunks and add the coloring substances. Then spread the
marzipan and cut it with cardboard molds. Put the ornaments of marzipan over
the cake. Put the cake on a plate. Put a red ribbon around the cake and
holly leafs and berries made of the green and red marzipan. Deeeelicious!!!
Joana Duarte, Ruben Andrade, Ricardo Guerrinha, Carla Lopes and Margarida Lisboa.

Dears Jessica, Nichole, Ryan and Tyler:
*Sonhos* ('Christmas Dreams')
Mix:
4 dl water
50 g margarine
30g sugar
1 grated lemon peel
a bit of salt
When it's boiling, take the pan from the fire and add:
200g flour
50 g corn flour
Beat quickly until you get a light dough and put again in the fire to dry
it. Put the dough in a bowl and beat it until cool.
Add:
5 eggs
one at a time, mixing the dough very good between each additon to absorb
completely the eggs.
Fry the dreams in warm oil (300º F = 150º C) and pierce them with a fork
while they brown. Drain in kitchen paper and serve the dreams sprinkled with
sugar and cinammon.
Sweeeeeet dreams!!
Your friends Rita Félix, João Luis, João Pedro and Joana Faria.

Dear Morgan Raymond, Scott Caton, Kristen, Robert and Steven.
We exchange this wonderful recipe:
*Filhós*
Mix 1kg of flour with yeast and a little water, salt, 4 eggs and juice of
three oranges. Then let it rest half an hour. Fry in little portions. Cook a
syrup made of water, sugar, powdered cinammon and lemon peel. After frying,
dip in the syrup. It´s deliciooooooous!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are you going to try this recipe?
Write soon!
Your Friends Pedro, Inês, Ricardo, Chico and Rui.
Merry Chrissssstmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3.Dec: A student's opinion

I'm going to do this recipes to eaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaating!!!!!!!
Teacher give us a test very easy pleasssse!!!!
I like very much this project (EMAIL).
Carla sed nothing but I write everything O.K Teacher????????? João Luis

4.Dec: Comments on the Portuguese recipes. American recipes

Hi Teresa,
My students enjoyed the recipes. I am afraid that they do not have
any to send back today, we will try to do that next week.
We hope that your holiday times are going good....we will be out of school
from Dec. 18 until the 4ht of January
More later---Glenn


Dear Joao,
Your recipe sounds delicious. I can't wait to try it.
I'm sorry I can't send you a recipe, but it's because I don't know any at
the time. Christmas is coming soon. I can't wait for that day to come.
Are you excited?
Do you celebrate Thanksgiving? I do. But I got a fever and I was sick. Too
bad,huh?
By the way, how old are you? I am ten. When is your birthday? Mine is
July,16 1988. I'm looking forward to reading more of your letters. Write
soon!!! Sincerely, Tyler Jerrell

Dear Filipa,
I like your recipe I think I will try it. I hope you have a merry
Christmas. I'm staying home for Christmas. Are you going anywhere? Who
brings you presents does Santa? Santa delivers our presents. He comes down
the chiminy and puts our presents under the tree.
I went to my grandparent's house for Thanksgiving. We rode a 4-wheeler.
I went to my aunt's to ride horses. We had a blast!
Sincerely, Phillip Munday

Dear Joao Luis,
Thank you for the recipe. I will try to get my mom to make them for me.
On December 21 my mom will have a baby. I can't wait!
After my mom has the baby I will stay at my grandmother's house until it
is time to go home. My pet dog will have to adjust to the baby.

That is all I have to tell you, thanks again for the recipe.
Your Keypal, Ryan Cisneros

Dear Ana,
Is a portuguese cabbage the same as a american
cabbage? I think your recipe sounds good. My parents
say they want to put up a Christmas tree this weekend.
Have you gotten your tree up? Have you ever tried a
punch bowl cake? If not, I'll send you the recipe.
I'm sorry I haven't been writing you. I've been sick.
I'm hoping we can meet each other someday. Well, I've
got to go. Please write me soon!
Your keypal, Ashley

Dear Pedro,
I'm going to try your recipe this Christmas.My recipe is called cinnamon
french toast. Here it is.
Ingredients:3 eggs,bread{how ever many pieces you want}cinnamon,powder
sugar,a stove,a pan,and 4th of a liter of milk.
Procedure:break the eggs and put them in a bowl.Pore the milk into the
bowl.Dip the toast into the milk and eggs and cook them.Then after cooked
shake cinnamon and sugar on the bread and it's done!!!!

Write back soon.Merry CHRIIISSSTTTTTMMMMAAAASSS!!!!
Your Friend, Scott Caton

Dear Ricardo,
Thank You for the recipe. I'll probaly mak it on christmas eve. It
sounds good to my ears.
How do you celebrate christmas [With presents, caroling, dinner,ext.]?
I celebrate it by going to a church play and going to church. Then we come
home and open our presents. This year we might do it different. We might do
a treasure hunt to find our presents.
Sorry I don't have a resipe for you. Write back soon. Morgan Raymond

Dear Xico,
How do you pronounce your name,(Zeco)?When is your bed time, anyway?
Here's a recipe for you.
*French Toast*
Ingrediants:Cinnamon,Syrup,5 pieces of bread,butter,and a toaster.
1.Take 5 pieces of bread and toast them.
2.When bread is toasted, butter it.Pour the syrup on it,then sprinkle
cinnomon on it.
3.Eat it, it is delicous!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Write back soon, please.
Your keypal,
Robert _______
( <> <> )
\ .. /
\___/----Bye!

Hey Daniel,

How is the weather where you are? It's 77 degress fahrenheit here. Which is
unseasonably warm for this time of year. Oh, I liked your recipe.[In fact I
asked another classmate to write it down for me.] We are going to use it in
our classroom recipe book.

Countdown to Christmas at 19 days and counting. I'll give you a copy of
the recipe book when we finish it. Merry christmas!
Signed, Ben

Dear Tiago,
How have you been?I have been doing good.Anyway, about the
Christmas codfish,I've never heard of that before.What is Portgise
cabbage?Have you ever tried christmas codfish?If so, how does it taste?How
do you celebrate Thanksgiving?So, do the girls still call you nobel prize
of the stupid,or whatever?If they do tell them I said it's not nice.Well,
what is school like over there?Do you have sports?Do you have any brothers
or sisters or brothers?If you do , how old are they and what are their
names?I have 2 sisters their names are Savannah,2 weeks old and Jordan,7
years old.Talk to you soon!Merry Christmas!
Your keypal, Heather West

Dear Vera,
Your recipe sounds interesting, is it good? Is a Portuguese cabbage the
same as an American cabbage? Do you put trees up for Christmas? If so, do
you have it up yet? So, let's get off the subject of Christmas.
What is school like there? Do you have principals in your school? In our
school we have principals, vice principals, counselors, teachers, and
volunteers. We also have sports at our school. We have football,
basketball, gymnastics, dancing, and cheerleading. I cheer for the Navarre
Raiders Football Team. Do you celebrate Thanksgiving? If so, what do you
do for Thanksgiving? What we do, is our whole family gets together and has
a big feast adn we play games. Well that's about it, write me soon.
Your Keypal, Shayla

14.Dec.

Hi Teresa,
I am so sorry that these letters are so late in getting to you. We have
just been so busy with school and the holidays, that it just hasn't gotten
done. We are sending some answers to your last letters. i hope that your holidays
are wonderful.... Glenn :)

Dear Antonio,
Thanks for the recipe, I will probably try it. What do you want
for Christmas? I want a remote control car. Do you get out of school for
Christmas? I do, the 18th of December. Hope you have a great Christmas!
Nick

Dear Ines,
I recieved your letter the recipe sounds delicious! My
family has this really neat recipe called,
Linguini salad:
1 lb. linguini
1,8oz. bottle of italian dressing
1-2 tomatoes
1 sm. onion
1 cucumber
It's delicious, try it! From, Kristen

Dear everyone,
I read your recipe for sweet dreams,it sounds very good.
Here is my recipe to you.
what you need:
1 18 oz pitcher
cinnamon
peppermint stick
lemon

cut lemon in to slices and put them into pitcher full of water . Add
peppermint and cinnamon (and sugar if you like)
let sit for 1 hour then remove peppermint and lemon and you have christmas
lemonade. Have a lovely and Merrrry christmas!!!!!!!!!! nichole clark

Dear Fernodo,
For Christmas I have turkey, ham, and cookies. We bake Fruit cakes
and Ginger Bread Houses. My Grand Mother always sends presents and cakes.
Your keypal, Michael

Dear Carla,
I enjoyed the recipe!It looks delishes.Maybe I'll try it sometime.My
family has already put up the Christmas Tree and decorated the
house.Christmas is a great time and I can't wait until it gets here!
MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY NEW YEAR! Jeannie McManis

Dear Rita,
How are you? I am doing great. Merry Cristmas! I read the letter you sent
me but I could not make out your address. Could you send me another letter
with the address in print? Oh, I have a small dog named Peanut, she is the
only pet I have so she is spoiled rotten (just kidding). Write me back soon
(at home)!
Your friend, Jessica
P.S. Happy New Year, too!

17.Dec: Holiday greetings from Portugal!!!

Hi, all!
We would like to wish you a very happy holiday season and lots of presents
under the Xmas tree. Have you got any special resolutions for the new year?
We interrupt tomorrow and come back on January 4th, same as you. We will be
sending our last message after the holidays. We'll sum up our collaborative
work and send our opinions. Hope you do the same.
It's been great fun taking part in this project. Just hope you've enjoyed it
as much as we have.
Holiday greetings to each and everyone from all your portuguese friends!

Group 5
Hello Stephen:
Happy Xmas and happy New Year. Bye. Your friend, Rui

Hello, Scott Caton!
You remember the launch of Discovery? No, I didn't see it, but it was very
cool, wasn't it?
Have you got a pet? I have got a cat. His name is Simba.
Goodbye. Merry Chriiiissstmas!!! And a Happy new yearrr!!!
Your friend, Pedro Canto

Hello Robert!
Finally my Xmas holidays are coming. This is gon a be a very happy Xmas.
What do you want for Christmas? Well, I asked for a video game - Tomb Raider III.
Goodbye and a happy Christmas!
Your friend, Xico

Hello Kristen!
Christmas is arriving. It's gon a be a happy time. With the holidays, too. I
wait this moment to receive presents.
P.S. - I sent you a Christmas card.
Bye-bye. Your friend, Inês

Group 1
Dear Ashley:
Merry Christmas 98 and a happy new year 99. My Christmas holidays starts on
18th December and finish on January 4th.
My birthday is on 19th February.
Can you send a letter, please? Because this project finish very soon.
Your friend, Ana
P.S. - Please write me a letter!

Dear Shayla:
Hello again! I like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Fabulous New Year.
My birthday is on 29th March.
The most stupid guy in this group is Tiago - I hate him.
Here is very cold.
Please write me again. Vera

Dear Heather:
I wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.
In five days I'll be 11 years old. I'm the younger student in my class. And
second tall boy in class. Amazing!!! Your keypal, Tiago

Group 2
Dear Teresa Ann Poast:
Hi! Is everything OK?
My holidays start on 18th December and finish on January 3rd. In my holidays
I don't go away. I spend my time playing computer games and playing with my
new toys. Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.Bye-bye, Rita Bernardo

Dear Glenn:
Hi! It's Nidia. I'm a studant. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Bye-bye.

Dear Phillip:
I am so sorry I can't write.
This holidays I go for a walk in Santiago do Cacém (a city in Portugal).
Merry Christmas!! Bye-bye, Filipa

Dear Ben Rich:
Hi! It's Daniel again.Do you want to know what I want for Xmas? I want
Nintendo 64 with the game "001 Goldeny".
My Xmas holidays start on 18th December and finish on January 3rd.
Oh! Now I've got a rabbit. His name is "Bugs Bunny".
If you want to come to my home, I send my address:
Ben! Oh! I wish you a merry Xmas and a happy new year.
Write me! Goodbye. Your pen friend, Daniel (call me Dany)

Group 3
Hello! We also have Christmas holidays on 18th December and we come back to
school on January 4th.

Dear keypal Daila Calhoun:
It's me again. In my Christmas holidays I spend my free time in preparation
of the presents of Christmas. And you?
I spend my Christmas in Elvas, Alentejo, with my family.
Send me your photo. Merry Xmas. Your keypal, Joana Duarte

Hello Nina Dawson!
It's Margarida. I like to see the Xmas lights in Lisbon. I hope the boots
are full of presents.
Merry Christmas!!! Happy New Year!!!

Hi Tony:
It's me again. This time is to say goodbye.
Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year!!! Ruben

Hi Glenn:
It's Ricardo Guerrinha. Merry Christmas, Glenn, and a Happy New Year.
I'd like a pen friend in your class. Ricardo

Group 4
Hello, Glenn. How are you? I'm fine.
Well, goodbye (teacher) Glenn.
P.S. - Merry Christmas!!! Happy New Year!!! And happy holidays!!!
Joana Faria

Dear Jessica:
Hello!!! I'm fine, thanks. I start my holidays tomorrow.
P.S. - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Rita

Dear Tyler:
My school finishes on 18th December, tomorrow. I only want to say Merry
Christmas and Happy New Year!
Your pal, João Pedro

António, Fernando and João Luis did not write messages because they were
taking part in a regional sports competition among several schools. Ricardo
Reis and Carlos are sick. Poor things!

23.Dec: A teacher's suggestion!

Dear Glenn:
I have a suggestion to make and I'd like to hear your opinion. Considering some

of our students have made a close contact throughout these weeks (and that's

very positive!), do you mind if they keep on contacting yours informally and on a

personal basis after the end of our project?
Have a very merry Christmas and a wonderful 1999! Teresa

2.Jan.

Hi Teresa,
I think it would be great to continue to have our students to communicate informally.
Just have your students address their mail to the student that they want to e-mail

with and I will see to it that my students write back. My students will
really enjoy it. Some of them have gotten snail mail from your students and
they love it. They bring it in for me to see and read. It's great!
Happy New Year to you and your family. More later. Glenn

7.Jan: Conclusions. Portuguese friends say good-bye!

Dear Glenn:
This will be the last message of our joint project. It has been lots of fun
and very interesting for all of us. Our students have *shared* experiences
and traditions, have exchanged ideas and knowledge, and have certainly
learned quite a bit. They have also made friendships which will carry on.
That, in my opinion, is one of the best effects we could hope for.
It is always sad to say goodbye. But it's always great to remember the good
and fun moments we had along the way.
Before moving on to my students' conclusions (I gave them a helping hand,
because they certainly deserved it!), let me congratulate my group for their
enthusiasm and great work, for their readiness and availability to work in
off-school hours, which meant extra effort and extra work. Their email
messages after those sessions (during which they wrote their texts in the
computer) were the best proof that these projects, with all the extra work
they imply for students and teachers, are 100% worthwhile. In addition to
all this, they bring a *real context* to the learning process. Learning is
linked to real life and real experiences. What better way to learn could we ask for?

Kids, Portuguese and American!
My last message to you is: Always keep up the good work and always try to do
your best. And please don't lose touch with each other. *It's great to have
friends*! Did you know that my best friend in the US is a former Math
teacher I had when I was in the 8th grade? We've always kept in touch.
Marcia and Buddy visited me and my family for a few hours in Lisbon in 1992
and I stayed with them in LA in 1996. We presently contact through email,
because Marcia is now a *radical teacher*!!
Thank you all! Wish you a great 1999! And good school work! Byyyeee!
Love, Teresa


Dear keypals:
We like working with you. It is very cool! Do you like? Do you start 1999
well? Oh, we start very well.

These are our conclusions:
Differences
Portuguese students
- 24 students
- objectives: learn English and meet other students
- saw the space shuttle launch (with John Glenn on board) on TV
- do not celebrate Thanksgiving
- open the presents on Xmas eve
- decorate the home but not the garden
- eat cod on Xmas eve and turkey on Xmas day

American students
- 22 students
- objectives: meet other students
- field trip to Kennedy Space Center - saw the space shuttle launch *live*!
- celebrate Thanksgiving
- open the presents on Xmas day
- eat ham and beef for Xmas
- decorate the home and the outside, the garden

Similarities
- we all like pets, sports, fast food, hobbies and "Titanic"!
- we all love Christmas!
- Christmas is a special *family* season in both countries
- same dates for Xmas vacation

Bye-bye. It was great fun! Please write.
Your 24 Portuguese keypals from 6 E, Escola de Sto. António - Parede

8.Jan: Our American friends say good-bye!

Dear Teresa,
Thank you so much for being so patient with me and my students during this
project. We sometimes take on more things than we can do.....but you have
been patient with us and understood our problems. My students too have
really enjoyed communicationg with your students. I think that we have all
learned a great deal about each other. It has been a real pleasure for all
of us here to recieve your letters and to read about your customs and
country. Thank you again for including us in your project. Please stay in
touch with us and we will stay in touch with you. Many of my students are
hoping that their new key-pals will continue to write to them, and I hope
that will happen also.
Thanks again Teresa, you are truly a wonderful teacher and your students
are very fortunate to have you as their teacher.
More later....Glenn


Dear Pedro Canto,
I tried your recipe.It was delicious.
I did like my Christmas presents.I received a Nintendo 64 with 3
games.I liked it very much.
Your Friend,Scott Caton
P.S.Write or Call Soon!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Ruben,
I do not know what you mean when you say "To say goodbye,"
But anyway, here's what I got for Christmas, a metal detector, a telescope,
two model rockets, hunting equipment, and legos. These things help me to
have alot of fun. I'll talk to you later.
sincerly, Tony Viola

Dear Vera,
Principals are people who run the school.I am an only child, but I have 3
step brothers and 3 step sisters. Their names are Brian, Phillip, William,
April, Angela, and Christy. I do not know how old they are. How was
christmas? I had a wonderful time, I went to Texas for Christmas. Do you
have a Santa Claus? Do you hang stockings up? We do. Your Keypal, Shayla

Dear Tiago,
That was a very nice letter , thank you. Happy Birthday too!I'll turn
11 August 25th.Did you have a Happy New Year?I did.It really is amasing you
are the tallest boy in your class.Do you think you could send me a picture
of you?HOw do you celebrate Christmas and THanksgiving?What time does your
school start and end?Does your name mean anything?Mine means flower. Heather

Dear Joao Pedro,
I had an awesome Christmas. I got lots of presents. Did you? I
got two microscopes, and many other things. What did you get?
By the way, you never told me how old you are. if you don't fell like
telling me, that's O.K.with me.
Well that's all for now. I've been having a realy good time being pen
pals with you. Sincerlly, Tyler Jerrell

Dear Filipa,
Thank you for the nice letter.I had a Merry Christmas.I hope you did,
too.What did you get for Christmas.Are you glad it is a New Year.Have you
been to America?I have never been to Portugal.Have a great day. Sincerely, Phillip

Dear Margarida,
This is Mrs. Glenn Rutland. I am writing for Nina. Nina is going to be
out of school for awhile because she is going to have to have some major
surgery. Her doctor discovered a tumor on her lung that they are going to
remove.
I am sure that she would enjoy hearing from you. Thank you for writing to
us during this project. My students and I really did enjoy hearing from you.
Sincerely, Mrs. Rutland

Dear Joana,
Thank you for sending me an e-mail message. I enjoyed reading it. This
project has been a lot of fun for us. I hope that you have enjoyed it too.
I have 2 cats and 2 dogs. Do you have any pets? I hope to hear from you
again soon. Study hard in school.
Sincerely, Mrs. Glenn Rutland

Dear Ricardo,
I was so glad to get your e-mail message. Thank you for writing to me.
What is your favorite subject in school? I was a Science teacher at one
time and all of my students really enjoyed Science. I enjoyed teaching
Science too. I have 2 cats and 2 dogs. Do you have any pets? What are
your hobbies? I enjoy water sports and reading. I hope to hear from you
again soon. Study hard.
Sincerely, Mrs. Glenn Rutland

Teresa Almeida d'Eça