In the Fall Semester of 2002, members of the Future Teachers Association participated in an online poetry project with students from Gompers Jr. High in Joliet, IL. Students at Gompers e-mailed original poems to our members who in turn provided feedback via e-mail. Members also shared their favorite poems with the students. It was a remarkable success. The following is an excerpt from Linda Christensen, Technology Resource Specialist at Gompers.

We wish to thank you for your participation in our Online Poetry Project. The students have been energized with your email. Their enthusiasm for poetry has increased and their understanding of imagery has deepened. They have enjoyed and benefited from using email, expressing themselves and communicating ideas with a real live person. The personal responses from you have made all the difference in the world.

Certainly, this project has enlightened us on the benefits and power of using technology to enhance instruction. We would not have been able to do it without you. We express our greatest appreciation.

Below are two pictures Linda sent of the students participating in the project.

Gompers students will soon be working on a creative writing project which they will also share with their FTA partners.