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!
5 comments:
I am so excited about doing this again this year!
I figure since I emailed you, I am signed up again.
Last year we made a big map of us and colored the states in as we received post cards- we stapled the postcards around as a boarder.
This year I bought one of those maps that people put on RVs. This one has reusable stickers :) After we fill in the map and read the post card I will laminate each post card and then put them on rings to make a class book.
Merri
I very interested in getting my students involved in a diverse activity. I would love for my students to connect with the rest of the country.
susana
Merri, you are definitely signed up again. I loved the idea you had last year of having a photo contest in your class. I loved getting all of the winning designs too (I love being the coordinator!).
Folks, I edited the main post - check out the postcard information section.
~Rebecca
hi, In Puerto RICO class started in Aug. 8 2007. I already notify my students parents about the Postcard Exchange and they said that they are going to support and help their children. I'm just waiting for thelabels to start working. Thanks again.
Mrs. Bula gotita_rocio1@yahoo.com
Our 5th grade students have received 3 postcards this week and they are eagerly awaiting our Postman to deliver more mail.
The students in our class are integrating their knowledge of NY geography into their postcard messages based on a unit we just finished. They are also designing their own postcards, since we purchased blank Avery templates.
We are hoping that our work will be completed tomorrow! Then our postcards will be in the mail!
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