Can you give me more information about this Writing Pals™ Program?
How do I register for your Writing Pals Program?
If I am teaching more than one class, can I sign up twice?
When will I be matched with my Writing Pal?
How are classes matched up for their Writing Pals?
Can I choose the type of Writing Pal that I want for my classroom?
Can I choose to have an international Writing Pal?
Why have I not received my Writing Pal yet?
How is my information used once I sign up for this program?


  Can you give me more information about this Writing Pals™ Program?
The Weekly Reader Writing Pals™ Online Program is a way for you to connect with other classrooms from other parts of the world. It is similar to a traditional pen pal program. The difference is that you, as a teacher, are offered the opportunity to connect your classroom to another classroom via our safe and easy online program. You may choose to have each of your students write individual letters to other classmates from across the country or you may choose to share assignments and give your students the opportunity to learn more about other people in different areas of the world. It is a fun and educational tool that teachers can use in their classrooms on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. WE DO THE MATCHING AND YOU DO THE REST! If you still request more information about our Writing Pals™ Program, please email us with your inquiry.

  How do I register for your Writing Pals Program?
You may register by visiting us online at www.weeklyreader.com/teachers/writingpals/ and filling out the online registration form. Once you have filled out the form, you will receive an email confirmation with your accepted registration. If you are having problems registering with us, please email us with details of the technical problem that you are encountering.

  If I am teaching more than one class, can I sign up twice?
Yes, but you must assign a different password or class size when you register another class. This helps us to ensure that there are no duplicates in the database which can cause problems when we assign Writing Pal matches. If you use the same email address for each class that you register, it will ensure that you will not be matched with yourself in error.

  When will I be matched with my Writing Pal?
The first of the school year is always made during the first week of November. After that, all new class entries will be matched the first week of each month throughout the school year.

  How are classes matched up for their Writing Pals?
We try very hard to match you up with another class of the same grade and class size. If there are no classes that have the exact number of students in the same grade level, we match your class with the closest available match in our system. We cannot guarantee that you will be matched with a class of the same size and/or grade level. Since we have a variety of different classes sign up for Writing Pals, there is no way to guarantee an exact match. If an exact match is not found, you may receive a class that has five more or less students than your class. You may also receive a class that is either one or two grades higher or lower than your own.

  Can I choose the type of Writing Pal that I want for my classroom?
From time to time, we get requests for specific grade levels, classes located in specific areas of the world and so forth. We try our hardest to accommodate these requests. However, since we can only choose from the pool of classes who sign up for the program, we cannot guarantee that a perfect match can be found to accommodate all requests.

  Can I choose to have an international Writing Pal?
At this time, we do not receive a tremendous amount of requests from classrooms wishing to participate in our Writing Pals program outside the United States. However, from time to time, we do have some international classes sign up for this program. If we have a class that meets your criteria and they are similar in class size and grade level, we will accommodate your request.

  Why have I not received my Writing Pal yet?
Weekly Reader generally begins the Writing Pals™ Program during the first week of November. We start the program this late in the school year because we have received significant feedback from teachers indicating that their schedules do not allow for the program until later in the school year. In addition, a significant amount of teachers do not sign up for the program until late October or early November. In order to make the program successful, we need to wait for the most amount of teachers to sign up in order to maximize the available matches for all teachers who have signed up for the program. If you sign up after the November start date or anytime during the school year, you will be matched during the first week of the following month. For example, if you sign up on December 5, you may not be matched until January 5 since we run matches once at the beginning of every month.

  How is my information used once I sign up for this program?
You may read our Privacy Policy for more information on how Weekly Reader uses and protects your personal information. Once we collect your information in our system, we only use this information to match you with a classroom of similar grade level and size. Once the match is made, you remain in our database; however, we only disclose your name, email address, city, state, zip code, school, number of students in your class and country to your Writing Pal™. It is up to you to give out as much or little information as you would like to your new online Writing Pal. Weekly Reader will not divulge any personal information to your Writing Pal. After you have an initial conversation with your Writing Pal, you can then choose to exchange mailing addresses at your own discretion. Once personal information is exchanged, Weekly Reader will still protect any personal information you have given via our online forms, however, we are not responsible for the information that you freely give directly to your Writing Pal. Weekly Reader takes no responsibility once you have chosen to divulge information directly to your Writing Pal outside or within our Web site (www.WeeklyReader.com).