LABELS!!!

Labels have been sent!

Here is the link.  I will be editing the link out of this post by Wednesday.

Please make sure your address is correct.  I've already had a couple frantic emails stating their address was incorrect.  I copy/pasted 98% of the label addresses directly from registration emails, so hopefully all is well.

If you downloaded your labels earlier today, could you take a second or two to double check if all is the same.  Changes I have made are in bold.

Hopefully you all have already created your postcards and are simply waiting to put the address labels on and will get them in the mail this week.  It'd be great if we all were able to receive the cards before Thanksgiving break (or sooner!)

I'm grateful for some of the sweet notes of encouragement.  This first quarter has, indeed, been a Murphy's Law quarter for me!  

Let me know if you have any questions.

~Rebecca 

Truth Can Be Stranger Than Fiction

Truth can be strange than fiction.  Here's proof:

I swear I'm not making this stuff up.  The Internet at school was down for several days and finally fixed Tuesday - the. day. I came down with the FLU! 

Between my iPhone and the google docs app i just downloaded on my iPad I *HOPE* to be able to finish the last 10 labels and get the google links to you today ....in between naps and trips to the (ahem).

Registration Emails Sent!

Did you get your registration email?  Labels should be ready in the next few days.  Have you made your postcards yet?

I will be sending you the addresses for the classrooms in all three groups in case you want to send out more postcards than is in your group.  (Sending more could mean receiving more!)

Please note that you don't have to send extra postcards to the other groups unless you really want to!

Thank you all for understanding about the registration deadline - or at least for not sending me nasty emails!  :-)

I hope your students are as excited as mine are!

~Rebecca, who is finally getting settled in the new classroom

edit:  OOPS!  I almost forgot to tell you!  I'm using Avery Labels that utilize template number 5160.

Registration extended!

To help students who don't do well with change we have a Surprise!/Change section on the white board to help keep them in the know.  Someone forgot to make one for me!  I am moving my classroom to another school in our district and I start - Monday! 

I need a few days to get settled and learn my new students and routines.  I am going to try to get to my emails (your registration requests) this weekend and then have label sheets ready by the 15.

Which means I'll keep registration open until the 15th.

Good things come from collaboration!

If you are in Group 1 or Group 2 and you don't see your state represented in any of the other groups (check the side bar on the right hand side of the screen), please feel free to share our project with other teachers in your building, or at other schools in your state.

Do you want to send and receive more than 50 postcards?  I can put your information in all three groups.  This is a big commitment, so think carefully before sending the email.

~Rebecca, who is extra excited about the 1st day of school tomorrow!

2013-2014 School Year Project Registration OPEN!

Let's get started with a postcard exchange for the coming school year!   Anyone is allowed - from Elementary, to Homeschool, to High School!  I'll organize up to three separate groups of  classrooms.  Please look to the sidebar to see if your state is already represented before you register.  I may only have time to send registration confirmation letters.

Each teacher should be prepared to purchase or create up to 50 postcards and postage.  You should also set aside time for creating and addressing your postcards.

Below are the particulars.  Check out the new optional activity we are adding to this year's project!

Registration:
Please send the following information to littlere@hickoryschools.net

Teacher's Name

Grade Level

School Name

School Mailing Address

Project Coordinator:

Mrs. Rebecca Little, NBCT
Exceptional Children's Teacher
Southwest Elementary School
1580 32nd Street, SW
Hickory, NC 28601

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 states 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*.  Hopefully we'll get as many states as possible.  As classrooms sign up, once there are at least 3 states represented in each of the major US regions, duplicate states will be placed in another group. 

This is a "first come gets put in the largest group" sign up, so don't delay!

Check the side bar and website often and encourage teachers you know in other states to participate. Please feel free to mention the project on facebook, or twitter!  The more, the merrier!   

Committment:
1. Each teacher should plan to purchase or create up to 50 postcards that represent your state and the postage it costs to mail them. If you are able to do a hallway display that will benefit more than just your own classroom, you may be able to ask your PTA or administration for funding for the cards and/or postage. You never know until you ask!

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

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

4. (optional - extension activity) post occasionally to the blog sharing what your students are working on, or about events in your part of the world

Postcard Information:
Share major facts about your state such as -
* your state symbols (flower, bird, insect, tree, etc.)
* your state's nickname (ex. Florida is known as the Sunshine State)
* important people who have lived in your state (Presidents, inventors, authors, etc.)
* a major historical event that happened in your state
* your state's major industry or resource
* natural resources and famous landmarks

My committments to you:
1. I will electronically send out a mailing label page to each of the participating schools by October 1st. You can use the Microsoft Word document to divide among your class so that students can copy the addresses themselves; or you can print the information on Avery Labels. I will let you know the template number (as soon as I purchase my labels!) :)

2. I will provide and manage this blog so that we can share ideas as to how you are using this project in your classroom and keep in touch. Let me know in your email if you would like access to the blog so I can send you an invitation.  Users are encouraged to post to the blog

Registration is open until September 30th. But don't wait to register! Groups will be formed "1st come, largest group"!