Who should sign up? Any classroom in the USA that would like to communicate with other schools and learn more about our country in the process. This is open to any K-6 classroom in the United States, but only one class per state!
However, this is a COMMITMENT. If you don't think you'll be able to fulfill your end of the agreement, please do not commit to this project. It leaves some pretty bummed out students. :(
How do you join? Visit the Postcard Exchange form here, if your state is open please add your information!
What do you have to do? Create or buy 50 postcards that represent your state. On each postcard, include these 10 facts. You can always include other information too if you'd like!
Is there a deadline? Do not start sending postcards until afterOctober 1st to ensure all states are filled! Postcards should be in the mail by no later than February 28th so that all postcards will be received well before the end of the school year.
What can we do before we send the postcards?
Have students draw the images that you use on the postcards. They could do this by hand or on the computer.
Have students brainstorm information to include on the postcard. They may need to do some research to find information.
Practice writing friendly letters, and write a friendly letter on the back of the postcard using the information you brainstormed.
Practice writing addresses, and write the addresses of the schools on the back of the postcards.
What can we do with the postcards we receive?
You could create a Google map, give students a world map of their own, or use a bulletin board to pin the locations of the postcards you receive.
You could take a virtual field trip to the school/class websites.
You could visit the school/class/student blogs, read their posts, and leave them some comments.
You could compare information on the postcards in a Venn diagram.
You could create a graph with information from the postcards.
These are just a few ideas. If you have a great idea, please share it with us on the "Share Your Ideas" page!