Hello All,
In one week, mailing will begin!
Registration is closed but please wait to download your mailing lists. There are always last minute adjustments and the lists will not be in their final state until late in the week. After you download the lists, please remember to check the blog for changes in e-mail and snail mail addresses throughout the duration of the project. They are inevitable.
At this time you should have your students organized and ready to create/address their cards. Hopefully, you have all determined how you will participate (snail mail or electronic cards, or a combination of both) and have either a production process in place or your ready made cards on hand. Please remember to keep the information on the cards succinct and useful. Let others know about the physical and cultural geography of your area through the words and images you used.
Have you created a place to display the cards you will recieve? Are you using a wall map, a scrapbook, or some other clever solution?
We'll talk again soon...
Best,
Leni
Monday, September 17, 2007
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Sharing ideas for funding
Hello All,
Today, I was asked: "Do you have to send a postcard to everyone in the particular category? It seems to be something I would really like to do with my fourth grade students but seems to cost a lot. I am looking for any suggestions about the project and how to approach it."
The project's success depends on the follow through of all participants. You really must send cards to each participant on your list if we don't want to disappoint a lot of teachers and student.
In the past, participants have shared some inventive funding ideas for the expenses of this project. Some teachers have each student bring in a few stamps, while others have looked to PTA/PTO for support, to small grants, and to sponsorship by local philanthropic organizations (Rotary, etc.).
Please share your funding ideas, folks!
Best,
Leni
Today, I was asked: "Do you have to send a postcard to everyone in the particular category? It seems to be something I would really like to do with my fourth grade students but seems to cost a lot. I am looking for any suggestions about the project and how to approach it."
The project's success depends on the follow through of all participants. You really must send cards to each participant on your list if we don't want to disappoint a lot of teachers and student.
In the past, participants have shared some inventive funding ideas for the expenses of this project. Some teachers have each student bring in a few stamps, while others have looked to PTA/PTO for support, to small grants, and to sponsorship by local philanthropic organizations (Rotary, etc.).
Please share your funding ideas, folks!
Best,
Leni
Monday, September 03, 2007
Request for suggestions for implementation
Hello All,
As our start date (Sept. 24) draws closer, I have received a number of questions about how to best implement the project. While I answer each and every question, I am no longer in the classroom. Those of you in the classroom, especially returning participants, can provide excellent examples of your successful implementation strategies. Won't you please leave your comments to help new participants?
Here are some recent questions:
I was wondering if you could tell me which style of "postcard" most
participants found the most enjoyable to receive: hard copy or email.
What sorts of information did participants include that made it worthwhile
to kids? There seems to be a lot of participants and I'd like to do the
regular mail, but that might be too costly. And email seems so boring... I
was wondering if you could suggest anything to make my first time a
success.
Thanks for adding your helpful comments.
Best,
Leni
As our start date (Sept. 24) draws closer, I have received a number of questions about how to best implement the project. While I answer each and every question, I am no longer in the classroom. Those of you in the classroom, especially returning participants, can provide excellent examples of your successful implementation strategies. Won't you please leave your comments to help new participants?
Here are some recent questions:
I was wondering if you could tell me which style of "postcard" most
participants found the most enjoyable to receive: hard copy or email.
What sorts of information did participants include that made it worthwhile
to kids? There seems to be a lot of participants and I'd like to do the
regular mail, but that might be too costly. And email seems so boring... I
was wondering if you could suggest anything to make my first time a
success.
Thanks for adding your helpful comments.
Best,
Leni
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Welcome to Postcard Geography, 2007-2008!
Dear Participants,
Thank you for joining in the fun and learning of this year's project. With your unflagging enthusiasm and dedication, you can ensure the project's success.
Please remember that postcards are not sent until September 24, 2007. It is not required that you send on that date, but please do not send before then. It would be wise to wait to download your participant lists until that date, too. The project will close to new registrants a few days before the "mail" date. By waiting to download participant lists, you will ensure that you have a current list that will not require a great deal of updating.
This blog will serve two basic purposes. It provides a place for you to talk with one another - to ask questions, share project expertise and ideas, etc. It also provides a place for you to make others aware of changes (or problems) with participant information. If you post a message with a question or sharing of information, please label it "share." Changes to contact information should be labeled as "change."
That's it for now... be sure you have read the "how to participate" page on our web site, and are formulating implementation plans that will fit your classroom, your students.
Best,
Leni
Thank you for joining in the fun and learning of this year's project. With your unflagging enthusiasm and dedication, you can ensure the project's success.
Please remember that postcards are not sent until September 24, 2007. It is not required that you send on that date, but please do not send before then. It would be wise to wait to download your participant lists until that date, too. The project will close to new registrants a few days before the "mail" date. By waiting to download participant lists, you will ensure that you have a current list that will not require a great deal of updating.
This blog will serve two basic purposes. It provides a place for you to talk with one another - to ask questions, share project expertise and ideas, etc. It also provides a place for you to make others aware of changes (or problems) with participant information. If you post a message with a question or sharing of information, please label it "share." Changes to contact information should be labeled as "change."
That's it for now... be sure you have read the "how to participate" page on our web site, and are formulating implementation plans that will fit your classroom, your students.
Best,
Leni
Sunday, January 07, 2007
It's not the technology... moderator's musings
Sandi's post reminds us of the "side effects" of the project. I'm glad it has become a springboard to such learning and problem solving for Sandi's students and colleagues. I suspect this is the case in the classrooms and schools of many participants.
When I was doing the project with students, myself, my learning goals for my students included real-world activities: problem solving and organization and writing for a real audience. The major goal, of course, was to make my students aware of far away places in a very personal way. Just as primary sources can put a face on "history," so personal postcards can put a face on "geography."
I get many notes about the success of the project from participants, but, frankly get more notes of disappointment and frustration from teachers who feel that the return on their effort has been inadequate. At this point in the project (near the end) I always begin to question whether the efforts we all extend are worth the outcomes.
I have conducted this project for more than 15 years.I have seen many changes in participants and participation over these years. I know that the "community of learners" feeling seems to be gone. It may not matter to anyone but me :-)
It is obvious that the realities of classrooms and their use of technology has changed tremendously over these 15+ years. Those of us out there "early" were totally enamored with the newness and new possibilities that technology presented. That "aha" is gone, of course! And today's classroom environments allow fewer curricular degrees of freedom and less choice. It is harder to engage in projects like this, let alone reach beyond the immediate requirements of the project.
You may find it useful to reflect with your class about the outcome of participation in the project. What worked, what didn't? You may want to add your/your students comments to this post. It might provide some "communal closure" to this year's project :-)
The "official" end date for Postcard Geography is Feb. 2. Try to get your cards sent by then. If you don't make the deadline, please send your cards when possible. Most participants would prefer to get cards "late" rather than not at all.
Thank you for your participation. I hope it has been a good experience for you and for your students!
Leni
When I was doing the project with students, myself, my learning goals for my students included real-world activities: problem solving and organization and writing for a real audience. The major goal, of course, was to make my students aware of far away places in a very personal way. Just as primary sources can put a face on "history," so personal postcards can put a face on "geography."
I get many notes about the success of the project from participants, but, frankly get more notes of disappointment and frustration from teachers who feel that the return on their effort has been inadequate. At this point in the project (near the end) I always begin to question whether the efforts we all extend are worth the outcomes.
I have conducted this project for more than 15 years.I have seen many changes in participants and participation over these years. I know that the "community of learners" feeling seems to be gone. It may not matter to anyone but me :-)
It is obvious that the realities of classrooms and their use of technology has changed tremendously over these 15+ years. Those of us out there "early" were totally enamored with the newness and new possibilities that technology presented. That "aha" is gone, of course! And today's classroom environments allow fewer curricular degrees of freedom and less choice. It is harder to engage in projects like this, let alone reach beyond the immediate requirements of the project.
You may find it useful to reflect with your class about the outcome of participation in the project. What worked, what didn't? You may want to add your/your students comments to this post. It might provide some "communal closure" to this year's project :-)
The "official" end date for Postcard Geography is Feb. 2. Try to get your cards sent by then. If you don't make the deadline, please send your cards when possible. Most participants would prefer to get cards "late" rather than not at all.
Thank you for your participation. I hope it has been a good experience for you and for your students!
Leni
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
I'm worried - are you?
jetech's post has reinforced my concerns. I started this project about 15 years ago. I believed then, and I believe now, that project like this create a larger stage for our students learning. I think it is important to involve our kids in projects bigger than our classroom. It helps us all develop a larger, world view.
In the first several years of the project, I conducted an active teacher listserv. We talked to one another and shared ideas, successes, and concerns about the project. Over the last 3 or 4 years, I began to get more and more complaints about the listserv (too much mail, it exposed participants to spam, etc.). So, I thought I'd try a safe, moderated blog, rather than a listserv, for our discussion this year. That would eliminate spam and excessive e-mail, I thought.
However, this blog feels pretty sterile to me. And the Postcard Geography project seems to have no life. I don't know whether a project like this can survive in today's spam-riddled internet environment, but I do know that if we don't talk to one another we are engaged in "parallel play" - not collaborative work.
So... are other classrooms experiencing a disappointing response from the project? Does anyone else feel the loss of community that I am feeling?
Speak up, please. Your feedback and suggestions are truly being sought. Let's see if we can breathe some life back into what could be a thriving project.
Wishing you all the happiest of holiday seasons...
Leni
P.S. I have received MANY beautiful cards, however, and thank each and every one of you who have sent one my way (snail mail and e-mail).
In the first several years of the project, I conducted an active teacher listserv. We talked to one another and shared ideas, successes, and concerns about the project. Over the last 3 or 4 years, I began to get more and more complaints about the listserv (too much mail, it exposed participants to spam, etc.). So, I thought I'd try a safe, moderated blog, rather than a listserv, for our discussion this year. That would eliminate spam and excessive e-mail, I thought.
However, this blog feels pretty sterile to me. And the Postcard Geography project seems to have no life. I don't know whether a project like this can survive in today's spam-riddled internet environment, but I do know that if we don't talk to one another we are engaged in "parallel play" - not collaborative work.
So... are other classrooms experiencing a disappointing response from the project? Does anyone else feel the loss of community that I am feeling?
Speak up, please. Your feedback and suggestions are truly being sought. Let's see if we can breathe some life back into what could be a thriving project.
Wishing you all the happiest of holiday seasons...
Leni
P.S. I have received MANY beautiful cards, however, and thank each and every one of you who have sent one my way (snail mail and e-mail).
Saturday, November 18, 2006
CHANGE: K-2, 3-5, ALL
Dear Postcard Geography Participants,
Two participants have had to regretfully leave the project. Please remove the following participants from your mailing lists:
# 49 on the K-2 list
("I am very sorry to say that I have bit off more than I can chew with this project. Due to the make up of my class, demands from the district and other issues, my class will be unable to participate. Again, I am very sorry.")
# 262 on the 3-5 list
("Please remove my name from this project. while I think it is amazing, due to unforeseen circumstances, I cannot continue. I apologize for any inconveniences.")
Thank you,
Leni
Two participants have had to regretfully leave the project. Please remove the following participants from your mailing lists:
# 49 on the K-2 list
("I am very sorry to say that I have bit off more than I can chew with this project. Due to the make up of my class, demands from the district and other issues, my class will be unable to participate. Again, I am very sorry.")
# 262 on the 3-5 list
("Please remove my name from this project. while I think it is amazing, due to unforeseen circumstances, I cannot continue. I apologize for any inconveniences.")
Thank you,
Leni
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