Postcards from Buster

Postcards from Buster is a great site for kids. It has games, songs, recipes, video clips, and more. Click on "My Blog" then use the pull-down menu to visit any number of cities and states in the U.S.

A Great Find!

Hi to all,

I am making a webpage about the project and came upon a GREAT FIND that I wanted to share! You can VERY easily create a map of where you've sent postcards, received postcards, etc. These can be used on webpages, OR, if you do not have a webpage, simply printed out. Check it out! http://www.epgsoft.com/VisitedStatesMap/

The page I'm creating is here:

http://geocities.com/ljacoby_2000/postex.html

Lanise

How are you using the project in your classroom?

The project is underway - despite the hurdles this year! My students are super psyched about the project. We'll be doing our postcards this week - I'm psyched because I found a postcard that showed a special gem found only in our county - which happens to be the state Gem! Because my students have fine motor difficulties our postcards will be purchased and the material that we write as a class will be printed on labels that the students will affix to the postcard.

Here is an idea sent to me from a Kindergarten Teacher in SC:

I'm not sure what exactly you want in terms of writing ideas, but I'll share what I did to get the cards started. We discussed the state bird, flower and flag. Then I gave them a 4X6 index card and they were to choose one of those symbols to draw on the blank side of the card.
We will take a few shared writing opportunities to make a list of SC information that we would like to share. I'll then print them up on labels to affix to the postcard. (My young kindy students would have great difficult printing that small! :))
Judy (SC)

And another from a teacher in NY who needed more postcards so that each of her students could do their own:

Hi, from Long Island, NY.I had the same problem. I hope my suggestion is OK.My students are going to send 2 postcards to each class. One on state symbols and one about our local environment which is so different than what others think of when they hear New York. First lesson is thismorning.Art teacher gave me supplies to do a water color wash. I expect to mailthem on Monday. Bridget (NY)

Do you have ideas to add? If you asked to be a part of the blog, you should have your invitation and you can post pictures and ideas. If blogs are a new thing and you prefer not to attempt, send me the information by email and I'll post it for you.

~Rebecca (NC)

Postcard Exchange 2007-2008!

What a fun way to learn about the United States incorporating math, geography, map skills, language arts and history!

Project Coordinator: Mrs. Rebecca Little, Exceptional Children's Teacher, East Alexander Middle School, 1285 White Plains Road Hiddenite, NC 28636 rebecca_little@alexander.k12.nc.us or verystillwater@hotmail.com

Goal: The main goal of this project is that participants receive a postcard from a classroom in as many of the 50 states as possible. As each postcard arrives, the class can discuss each state's major industry, fascinating historical events, and unique facts.

Participants: This project is open to only one Elementary, Middle or High School classroom per state *per group*. I turned away many people last year because our two groups already had a state represented. I'll do as many as 5 groups this year. Hopefully we'll get as many states as possible. Check the side bar often and encourage people you know in other states to participate. Mention the project on any email groups or message boards you belong to. :)

Committment:

1. Each teacher should plan to purchase or create up to 50 postcards that represent your state and 50 postcard stamps. My principal was kind enough to provide postage for our cards. You never know until you ask.

2. Postcards should be mailed during the month of October, shortly after you've received your labels.

My committments to you:

1. I will send out a mailing label page to each of the participating schools at the end of September. You can use the Microsoft Word document to divide among your class so that they can copy the addresses themselves; or you can print the information on Avery Laser Labels (5160).

2. I will provide this blog for us to share with each other how you are using this project in your class.

Postcard Information: *edited* Share major facts about your state. Some things you can include:

*your state symbols (flower, bird, insect, tree, etc.) (**see note below)

*your state's nickname (ex. Florida is known as the Sunshine State)

*important people who have lived in your state (Presidents, inventors, authors)

*a historical event that happened in your state

*your state's major industry or resource

(**note) I am preparing some graphing worksheets for state insect, bird and flower so that we can compare and contrast them. I'll post them on the website. The worksheets will be at the K-2 level, if any upper grade teachers would like to contribute some more challenging questions I would be happy to include them.

Plan for classroom time to decide what you will put on your postcards, and time for students to print the information on the cards. This could take as much as 2 class periods.

Registration: Please send the following information to

rebecca_little@alexander.k12.nc.us or verystillwater@hotmail.com (I will check both addresses often)

Teacher's Name
Grade Level
School Name
School Mailing Address

Registration open from June 18, 2007 until September 18, 2007. We look forward to having you in our project!