Open states are listed in green.  Closed States are listed in Red.

Each participant will mail out 100 postcards (99 to the states and one to Washington, D.C.).  Postcards can be handmade or store bought.  Topics that can be included on the postcard are:

• School Name, City and State
• Grade Level
• Class Size
• State Trivia
• Anything else you may want to include

Don't forget - all postcards should be mailed no later than October 30, 2009.

Here are some tips that I found a long time ago on the internet.  Unfortunately, I don't remember where I came across these tips.  If these are yours, please let me know so I can give you credit.  Thank you! 

Are there any other tips?

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How do I get the writing started?
a. As a class create a chart of popular sites, symbols and history of your state. Together write a paragraph that includes this information. You can go through the entire writing process by doing this. Then you can buy large labels to print your class paragraph. This will help fit more information. (suggested size 2.75 x 2.75 diskette labels are good to use)
b. Have your students choose states that they are interested in and write a paragraph about their state to each of them.

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What should I include in the writing?
a. grade level
b. class and school size
c. number of boys and girls
d. school logo or mascot
e. fun facts about your state (things we cannot find in the encyclopedia or resource books)
f. state websites or school websites

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What are some map and bulletin board ideas?
a. Use an overhead projector to create a large map that
includes Alaska and Hawaii. (don’t forget our other counties and US Virgin Islands) Laminate the map so you can use it year after year. Place stars on the states as you receive their postcard.
b. Use a 3-D plastic map in the hallway to display them.
c. Use string to connect the postcard hanging on the wall to the appropriate state.
d. Allow students who wrote to that state be the one to read the information to the class. (Or if you wrote a class paragraph, just assign states for them to look for and then they can read them)
e. Place the cards in sticky back plastic and hang them so they can read both sides.
f. Title: “Postcard Project” above a US map. Even when you receive more than one a day, choose only one to share each day. This helps to lengthen the project as well as not confuse the students with a lot of new information.
g. A good title: Postcard Pals

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What are some ongoing and cross the curriculum ideas?

a. As each one comes in compare that state to your state in size, location, climate, time zone, etc.. You can also compare the school information and size that was given.
b. After enough for a class set has come in allow students to choose one that intrigues them and complete a state report.
c. Have each child choose a state (or more if needed) to become their state(s). When the postcard comes in they read it to the class. Anytime the state is mention during the year allow that student to read the information or show to everyone where it is on the map. Also give them an extra 100 in any subject when their postcard comes in.
d. Make a list of all postcard exchange representatives by giving each a number. Hang the numbers on the wall or chart with post its or other sticky stuff. Have each student pick their favorite numbers ahead of time and when they come in tick them off. The first student to get all of their postcards in gets a prize.
e. As each postcard comes in locate the state website and allow students to read more about that state.

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What do I do with all these postcards?
a. Give them out to the students at the end of the school year.
b. Keep them for future classes to see and read.
c. For those of you who have several years worth, allow the students to go through them and graph the results.
d. Purchase a photograph book that allows you to see through the plastic on both sides. (the ones with rings work best) Put the postcards in so that future classes can read both sides. Label the year and date that the card was received. For larger cards use a sheet protector and cut it down to size.

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Are there any other tips?
a. A great website to visit Kim's Korner 4 Teacher Talk for even more tips!
b. Send out all postcards at one time so you don’t forget.
c. Scenic pictures work best for students to visualize each state.
d. Don’t be late sending out your cards, kids really get disappointed when their states don’t come in as quickly as others.
e. Be a 100% partner in the exchange! We are all depending on you to follow through! Don’t forget you are representing your state.
f. Email each member as you receive their card and tell them you got it.
g. Email the group after you have sent out all of your cards. This will help us keep an eye out for them.

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