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Goal

Having a schoolwide mail system can be an incredible real-world experience for many kids. Schoolwide writing is effective when the work is authentic and engaging and in this instant message, e-mail age, many children haven't experienced the excitement of getting a hand-written letter. This #Inked Project will allow students to write letters and work in an in-school post office and mail delivery system. While teachers work on student writing all year, our #Inked mail program will focus specifically on letter-writing, which has become less popular in the e-mail age and practically a dying art, while this project will give them an engaging reason to write and to read! 

What will be done with my students

#Inked will initially be implemented as an incentive writing program designed to give kids in my reading resource groups from grades 3-5 authentic ways to experience the culture of writing. All 37 students are currently one to three grades below level in reading and writing and need new avenues to find success and fun through reading and writing. #Inked will provide a fun yet unique opportunity for students to mail a letter initially to me as they learn friendly letter formatting, penmanship, addressing envelopes with a return address as well as the history of the stamp and the jobs in the mail delivery program, including sorting, delivering, stamping, and checking for errors. The program will grow incrementally to add additional grade levels and finally to a full campus-wide project so students can write letters to other students, teachers, and staff members. Students will also be provided opportunities to interview and apply for jobs that will be needed to run an efficient post office. Pop-up post offices and collection mailboxes will be placed in the school’s lobby and once a week, hired #Inked students will empty the collection boxes and deliver letters during lunchtime as to not take away from their classroom instructional time with their homeroom teachers. Students will receive letters, respond to the letter, and mail a response back. The schoolwide mail system would continue throughout the year with countless letters being stamped and delivered campus-wide. 

Benefits to my students

#Inked will teach much more than writing and organizing. Students will fill out applications and take a test to check their skills just like a real job. I will look for teacher recommendations, attendance records, evidence of good citizenship, and an ability to think on their feet. Students will also gain skills while learning about the culture of writing by using the schoolwide post office system to include but not limited to:

-Proper letter organization and formatting.

-The importance of legible handwriting. Students do not always see the necessity of using legible handwriting. When they mail a letter to a peer, they understand how important it is that their friend can read what they wrote.

- How to correctly address an envelope. This is a skill many students do not practice due to easy access to technology. Students learn the proper format to address an envelope, including writing an address and return address.

-The value of accurate spelling. Spelling ties directly into handwriting. If the friend receiving the letter is unable to read what they write, students may not hear back from their friend! The letter may not even get delivered. Students see the purpose behind spelling words correctly for others to read and enjoy.

- Connection to technology use. Students will learn word processing with writing letters. Students will learn to type using a proper letter format. The technology teacher taught students to use a template and type their responses.

- Artistic design. There will be a stamp contest every month for all students to enter.

-Alphabet practice by using a schoolwide directory that is formatted in alphabetic order.

- Opportunity to make new friends. Many students in the school will have an opportunity to become pen pals with other students, allowing them to make a new friend with somebody just down the hall who they might never have met before.
 

Budget Narrative

Amazon: mail sorting box and stamp storage $154.00
Stamp pad and stamps, , $45.00
Pop up Post Office building, $39.99
Magnetic Letters for signage, $96.00
School Outlet, 2 mail bags and mailboxes, $ 325.00
Office Depot, assorted writing paper and envelopes, $175.00
Office Depot, adhesive printer paper for stamps, $95.00
Office Depot, assorted colored pens, pencils $95.00
Office Depot, HP deskjet cartridge, $126.99
Office Depot, Luxor Double-Sided Magnetic Mobile Dry-Erase Whiteboard, 24" x 36", Aluminum Fra...$140.00 

Items