Teacher Idea Factory

Teacher Idea Factory

IT’S TIME FOR THE ANNUAL POSTCARD EXCHANGE – SIGN UP NOW

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I am teaming up with the eva fabulous Cheryl over at Primary Graffiti to help her get her annual Postcard Exchange up and running.  For the past 6 years Cheryl has hosted this wonderful event . . . I found out about it last year and I am in L-O-V-E!  I could not miss out on the opportunity to offer a helping hand to my bloggy buddy and get in on the action in the process 🙂 #itsawinwin 

Here’s how this exchange rolls . . . please read the notes carefully to ensure that you wish to participate (it does require some ciz-ash on your part for postcards and postage).  If you have ANY reservations about this, please pass on signing up until your questions are answered.  We are looking for a solid commitment when you type that name into our short Google Doc.  Sorry to be a bit poopy here, but the kids are served SO much better when they receive a postcard from each state.  

On that note, we are accepting TWO THREE (I upped it due to the overwhelming response) entries from each state and they are both open to ALL grade levels.  To make things easy on you, we have a sign up form in Google Docs.  This puppy is launchin’ on a first come, first serve basis, so type F-A-S-T to ensure that you snag your state.  The forms are time stamped so we will know who signed up first when we compile our list.  ALSO . . . please make sure that ALL of your information is correct as you type and that you have filled out the email and shipping addy completely!  We will delete incorrect/incomplete entries.  

Alright, we’re moving on to the supplies needed . . . 49 postcards, 49 stamps, and 49 labels.  I know.  I know.  It seems like a lot, but it’s well worth it . . . believe me!  You will receive 49 postcards in exchange!!  My kids flipped out every time I told them that we had “mail.”

You may choose to purchase or create your postcards once we have confirmed that you are in the exchange.   I sent a design off to Vista Print to save myself the headache of searching for state postcards.  However, it’s your call. Remember . . . this exchange DOES cost money.  Expect to spend about $30 for postcards, postage, and labels by the time you finish.  Again . . . I promise that it is worth the time and money!

We will prepare the labels with each participants’ name and addy.  You can print them out and stick ’em to the cards . . . this way we will save you at least a little leg work 🙂

We suggest allowing students to have ownership of the exchange by creating a message with your class.  This way it will be more meaningful when your students receive their cards.  We usually put facts about our school and class as well as info about our state in our messages.  Both Cheryl and I prepared the messages on larger sticky labels and had the kids stick them to the cards. However, if you have older kiddos, you may choose to have them copy the message that y’all came up with.  

All cards must be mailed by October 31st.  We all start at different times, so hopefully this gives you a little cushion to fulfill your commitment to the exchange.  

Instead of reading all the cards at once, I spaced them out over the span of a few months.  I read 3-4 each week and this lasted quite some time.  I posted a US map and we had the best time hunting down our new friends in relation to us.  Cheryl also suggests blowing your babes’ minds by using Google Earth to show the address on the card.  When the playground pops up with kids on it, they freak!  They really think that they are seeing the friends that sent the card (and . . . in a way . . . they are).  HA!  

Finally today . . . once all of the slots are filled, we will send out an email confirmation (please do not order postcards or start the process until you have been confirmed).  We are hoping to have this process completed by the Labor Day, but we will see how things go.  You will need to reply to our confirmation within 48 hours (we will be sure to post it on our blogs too).  If a response is not received we will have to offer up your slot to the next person who signed up for your state.  

THIS SECTION WILL BE UPDATED DAILY 
(LAST UPDATE = SAT @ 8:10 PDT)
HOWEVER, AN OPEN STATE DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOU A SLOT.
SORRY MY FRIENDS . . . IT DEPENDS ON YOUR TIME STAMP.

Alright . . . now that you are interested, we have some bad news.  Most states are now FULL.  We have some fast friends out there 🙁  Again . . . I have opened up a bonus group (3 total).  However, the above info reflects ALL of the exchanges. Here are a list of the states that are still OPEN…


Alaska – 3 slots
Arkansas – 2 slots
Delaware – 3 slots
Hawaii – 1 slot
Minnesota – 1 slot
Mississippi – 1 slot
Montana – 3 slots
New Mexico – 1 slot
North Dakota – 1 slot
Oregon – 1 slot
Rhode Island – 2 slots
South Dakota – 3 slots
Tennessee – 1 slot
West Virginia – 1 slot
Wyoming – 2 slots 

Cheryl has a wonderful State Notebook freebie if you are interested.  It’s for little learners and it’s supa-cool!  Check it out HERE.

After all that, are you still interested in trying to get in on this deal??
CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT OUR FORM – WE’D LOVE TO HAVE YA.
QUESTIONS?  Email me . . . kelleydolling@gmail.com
**NOTE . . . we had a few requests to include Canada in this fun program.  Unfortunately, this is a US exchange only this year.  However, Primary Teaching Resources is hosing a Canada Exchange.  Click here to learn more. 

OH MY . . . look at the time!!??!!  GULP!!  I best get to lesson planning.  I planted my flower beds today and left my plan book with a few too many holes.  I’d better start plugging away STAT!  Have a wonderful week my friends – it’s just like riding a bike, right??!!  Hehehehehe . . . HUGS!!!

Comments

    • teacherideafactory says

      How about if you sign up and I put you in as an OPTIONAL send??!! Since it wasn't on the ticket to begin with, I can't enforce it. However, I am willing to shove a Canadian class in each exchange for people to have the opportunity to write to. Are you down . . . it will cost you quite a bit I think???

    • teacherideafactory says

      OH POO!!! I am one of the CA people . . . sorry friend. I am sneaky as all get out !!!! Next year we can hopefully host additional exchanges. We just got an uber late start this year. I miss you my dear!!!!

  7. Traveling Thru Sixth says

    Bonjour from Belgium!

    I saw this great post and wanted to say hello directly while waiting for the postcard exchange to kick off. We are from South Carolina but are teachers in Belgium at the NATO headquarters. My 6th grade English Language Arts students are dependents of US military personnel and also dependents of the 22 Partner nations in NATO. I have students from Poland, Russia, Spain, ItLy, Slovakia, Montenegro, etc. They all speak and write English and would love to be a part of the post card exchange. To top it off, I have about 50 students that would be interested so I am thinking to pair up with two different schools in different areas.

    Our class is anxious to get going. Let me know if your class might enjoy being matched with our class for postcard exchanges. I do not think our class will be in this round as we are officially outside the USA. Dang!

    Thanks!
    Joanne

  9. Camille says

    Kelley,
    This post just popped up in my Blog Lovin' so I am (FOOLISHLY) hoping that this means you are taking more participants. Being from California does not offer me any hope, but it was worth a try! This is one of the very, very, very few times I regret being a California girl.
    Love to you,
    Camille

  10. Bonnie McClelland says

    Hi!
    What a wonderful activity! I know it's not a state, but how about representing LONG ISLAND?! New York is so huge. We on Long Island, have such great things that are only unique to our part of the state. In fact, when I take my kids on vacation, I teach them to tell people that we are from Long Island, to give a better understand of where our home is. Just a thought. I would love to hop on board with my kindergarteners this year if possible, but if not, I will certainly get on the early bus for next year!

    Thanks and good luck,
    Bonnie

  15. Katie Martel says

    Hi,
    I never received a confirmation email and don't know where to find the addresses but I have been receiving postcards! Please send me an email with the info so I can make sure I get mine out to the other schools!
    Thanks!
    Katie Martel
    kmartel@fnwsu.org

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