I have several teachers’ message
board, groups, etc that I participate in to share ideas and to keep up to date
on current educational findings. I found and joined a group working on a 25
class post card exchange, so asked the kids I they would want to make friends
with others around the world, and of course they screamed with excitement. This
was also luckily at the same time as their obsession with books about maps, so
worked perfectly.
After arranging the details online
we got everything ready. I asked the class how we should start and prepare. We
decided we would need postcards. I asked where we could get some, and said why
don’t we go for a walk and find out (on the pre scheduled route past the souvenir
shop down the street).
Before going I told them we would
need 24 postcards since that's how many classes were in our group. We decided
how we would sort out how to get to this number and making sure we go the right
amount. One student said mentioned that we should count how many students we
have. We counted and also remember that we have 20 students. After realizing we
would need more they decided that my assistant and I would each get to pick out
one, and that the two students who are walking the nicest would get to pick out
the next two.
We were off to the store. They each
got to pick their favorite scenes of Tokyo to send to the other classes. We
came back and decided what we would write on their postcards. We came up with
the first few sentences that explained where we live and what our school is
like. We then decided the second half would be something specific for each
student.
My assistant and I would have mini
meetings during their My Own Time (free inquiry/centers) where we would write
their ideas on the post card, and have them be able to sign our school name on
the bottom. It was so interesting to see the ideas they wanted to share with
others.
The next step would be to send
them. Throughout the week I had picked out a few books related to mail from the
library, which were instant hits and even did a few read alouds. So when it was
time to send them they mentioned that we would first need stamps, and to put
them in the mailbox.
And so we
were off for another adventure, a trip to the post office! We arranged the trip
with the post office and were well greeted upon our arrival with some stickers
and a little speech about the mail system, while getting to see some of the
tools mailmen use both in the office and out for delivery.
The kids
then got to put their stamps on their postcards and were off to the mailbox
down the street from school, with a quick send off they were on their way!
The most
exciting part was over the next few weeks we would receive a 1-3 postcards a
week, which was always the highlight of our morning. We would read it aloud and
share what we learned and would find their school/city on Google Earth.
The
students loved this inquiry and were so happy to share their learning with others.
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