Carrollwood Day School Mrs. MacMartin s 6th Grade Language & Literature Classes. Responses to Reflection Questions

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1 Carrollwood Day School Mrs. MacMartin s 6th Grade Language & Literature Classes Responses to Reflection Questions 1. Reflect upon writing and receiving letters to/from your pen pal. What did you like about the pen pal program? Reece T. My favorite part about this program was getting the letter back from my pen pal because they put so much work into writing to us, also it was kind of heartwarming when someone wrote such a caring letter to you without even meeting you. Ethan E. Writing and receiving the letters were just great experiences that I had a lot of fun doing. Reading about what my partner does was fascinating - he plays sports like I do, and he even plays video games. I really wish that we could do this every year. Cayden M. Through out this Cameroon pen pal process, I have learned so much about how other people's lifestyles are. My pen pal has given me so much information about his culture such as, their language, the food they eat, and what their school is like. The thing that I liked about this experience is being able to think that I am talking to someone from the other side of the world. Will E. What I liked most about this program is that they [Books As Bridges] help out schools in need around the world and send them books so that they get good education. They also are a nonprofit organization which proves that they are only in this to help out. Maheer P. I loved the pen pal program. Although I have done it when I was in 4th grade this was even better. This is because I got to learn about people outside of our country and even continent. In 4th grade we pen palled with a school in America but this school is in Africa. That's insane! Jordan C. I loved how I was able to communicate with someone from the other side of the world! It was very fun and I was able to bond with someone I didn't know before.

2 2. Reflect upon the presentation about Cameroon you heard today. What did you learn about the culture in Cameroon? Maddie B. I learned that they have a lot of things in common with us than I had thought. Along with that, I learned school was very different. Most schools made you pay money and they were very hard to find but the school we are doing is one of the rare public schools. Finally, I also learned about the traditional toghu patterns they wear. Zachary G. In the presentation today I learned that people are very committed to this program, I can say this because our presenters flew all the way down here from Kentucky to Florida to educate us about this program. One thing that I learned about the culture in Cameroon is it is very passionate in its unity with its people, some people may not agree with others but they all stay unified and that's how they survive. Maddie M. I learned that the culture of Cameroon is very different in different regions. Some parts are traditional but others are very open to trying new foods and practicing different religions. There are two main languages in Cameroon French and English. This is because when Cameroon was controlled by other countries it was divided by the French and the British. The traditional wear is a toghu and light cloth for working in the fields of hot Cameroon. Grace T. The presentation today about Cameroon was very good. I learnt that Cameroon was a bit more advanced than the other African countries. They were able to play video games, eat fast food and go to school. Cayden M. The presentation that was presented to us today was very informative; I learned where Cameroon is located and what they eat. They eat something called a puff puff, which to me tasted like French toast. The culture in Cameroon isn t that different from ours. They have newer technology and they wear uniforms just like we do. Emily L. I learned about their food. Throughout their country they have international cuisines. Not just African Cuisines. They are known for their cocoa, coffee beans, and bananas.

3 3. What are some realizations about life and people that you did not consider before? How did this experience affect you? Sophia R. I learned you don't have to have an iphone or ipad to be happy. Because these kids are happy with just simply getting books. And that I should appreciate more of what I have. This experience made me appreciate things more. Will E. I have learned in my letter that they like similar things. I had always thought that they did completely different things than I do but I found out that my pen pal likes Drake, football, and other foods that we both like. This affected me because now that I know that if I ever meet them in person, we could be friends because we have a lot in common. TC L. We figured out that the kids at the school did not have access to clean water, and we raised funds by selling water bottles and selling snacks at study hall. This effect me by making me think more about others and how some people aren't as fortunate as me. Kate D. Yes, this experience did affect me. I knew that some kids were not as privileged as me, but I did not realized that some kids do not have access to clean water in their schools. This makes me feel so happy that our school was able to raise one thousand three hundred dollars to give them water. Going forward I think that I will be more interested in donating charities. Emily F. When I learned about the students and the school in Cameroon, I realized that there are people out there don't have the luxury of going to a nice school with technology like ipads and laptops and posters on the walls, and there are a few who can't go to school altogether. This realization made me feel kind of bad for my pen pal and his/her classmates, and I also learned that I shouldn't take school for granted. Cooper C. A new understanding that I have is that in America we are very lucky, and privileged to have everything that we have. From this point forth I will be more grateful with what I have or get to do. George K. People don't have stuff like we have. This helped me realize that everyone is not fortunate like us. Hailee S. I realized that many countries in Africa have just attained their freedom and have not been free countries for a long time. I also realized that many kids in Africa don't receive an education. This experience affected me because how can we fix all of the environmental problems of the world if the whole world isn't educated?

4 4. What effects do you think this experience will have on the children in Cameroon? Kate D. I think that this will make life easier for kids in Cameroon, now that they have access to clean water. I hope that they would make them happier that they know they have kids in America who care about them. Hailey A.-K. I think that because the International Book Project sponsors the Bitame Lucia School in Cameroon, that school could get more access to more books and they could have a better education, giving all of these students more opportunities and hopefully boosting their chance of having a better future. I really hope that the Bitame Lucia School continues to develop into a really great school providing such an amazing education for the students there. Kyra O. Maybe they'll remember us. I think I will definitely remember them. George Henry C.-G. They will have clean water from our fundraiser and they will have some friends to write to (us). All and all I think we have changed their lives. George K. They will appreciate that someone cared for them. Austin S. I think it makes them proud to be communicating to others, makes them happy that someone knows they exist, and curious about our lives.

5 5. Are there other things you would like to share? Maddie B. I really think this project was an amazing idea that will change our pen pals school life. It also impacts us a lot because it makes you think about when you throw away half full water bottles as our pen pals would cherish this water bottle. I can't wait to see their progress in a year or two. Manav D. One more thing that I had to add was if we continue to take our things for granted, we won't have them anymore. People don't notice something, until it's gone. Issa J. The experience would affect the children in Cameroon because they probably learned new things about us as well as we did. Also they were probably very excited to write to someone in the United States of America so far away. I loved this project and I hope they did too; this was a great experience. Joanie H. I think something important to share is the idea that, we are here for everyone. We as the human race will always be here to help one another. In times of trials and tribulations, or in simple struggles. We all will be there, and there is not much holding us apart except a body of water or some land. We are all the same in one way or other. We are there to give support, share resources, share ideas and to share stories. This experience with Books and Bridges and the kids in Cameroon is just that idea in action, and it is helping so many of people while doing so. Colin T. I think that what we did helped out their school a lot and I am happy. Ryan M. Yes, I would like to share that this was one of the highlights of my year and really enjoyed this project.