Fourth Grade Class Stamp Hour

Very soon the class on stamps is going to be starting up so I'm turning to the forum for advice and help. The idea from my end is to establish a curriculum. They have an album and I've assembled stock cards with stamps to get them started. I've gotten some basic perforation gauges from Mystic. If this venture proves to be successful it could be incorporated into all of the schools in the district. The teacher is planning on using this as special time on Friday afternoon.
Tom

What grade or age group are the kids?

Dianne

Duh!!

Just read the title

I think I would probably start with a brief history of stamps and stamp collecting. If you have access to an LCD projector and laptop and the time of course you could introduce them to stamps with an interesting slide show. If would only have to last 10 to 15 minutes.

Dianne

Topical topical topical
Kids will love to be able to 'customize' and have some control over the lessons, a way to make it relevant to them. This make the stamps simply the vehicle for further education, a springboard for new interests, and great teaching opportunities.
don

That's a great idea Don

There are so many kool subjects to chose from.

Dianne

Speaking of stamps and school...

In the mid-1930's there was a stamp collecting course at the University of Minnesota. This was the first time someone could earn college credit in stamp collecting in the USA. Gerald Burgess (1891-1938) taught the course. He died rather young and that seemed to be the end of the class. However his "textbook" survived and was published as "The Minimum Essentials of Stamp Collecting." His widow was behind printing the book and added a touching forward: "So personally happy with his stamps. They were his recreations; a safety valve during the depression; so much his joy and delight they too often held him 'till the wee small hours." For three years Gerald also answered the Question Box in the Minneapolis Journal Stamp Column.

sdtom. Do not spend time re-inventing the wheel. Almost all philatelic societies have youth branches and many offer club instructions, program guidelines and even free stamps to help people along. Also, consider global philatelic bureaus(for stamp issuing agencies). The list is on line somewhere. Have your group write to them and ask for information -and even samples. If nothing else you will get some nice covers from around the world and some pretty brochures. Yes, you can write to tehm by email and request a postal reply.

I agree with CanadaStamp, much effort has already gone in to lesson plan development. Recommend you check out the APS Stamps Teach program at http://stamps.org/Get-Started

I hope it will work out okay. You've already given me some good ideas.
Tom

You also might want to checkout this link offered by the US Postal Service:

http://www.uspsconnection.com/cc_site/

Sounds like a lot of fun. Good luck!

And with no real majority of race in the classroom a student could pick out their own topical idea.
Tom

Hi Tom,

The Wisconsin Federation of Stamp Clubs has a page of youth materials and activities that are all free:

http://www.wfscstamps.org/Youth/

The American Topical Association also has a kids' page with more free activities:

http://americantopicalassn.org/youth.shtml

And now, the American First Day Cover Society has a youth page:

http://www.afdcs.org/youth_activity.html

These are three projects I have been actively involved in and would love to see them being used. If there is a particular topic you would be interested in presenting to the kids and you can't find it at one of the above places, please let me know. I might be able to use your idea for a future issue of Topical Times or First Day Fun.

Also, someone mentioned the APS's Stamps Teach. This is a free program for 3rd - 5th grade teachers to use in their classrooms. I have also been involved (in a small way) with this program and highly recommend it.

Kind regards,
Aimee

All great advice above! I especially agree with studebaker about the topical suggestion, I would also maybe show them an album so they can physically see the potential fruits of their labour so-to-speak. This is a wonderful thing your doing and I hope it sticks (pardon the pun) as too many kids, in my opinion, are spending too much time on the plethora of gadgets. Of course my opinion and a dollar might get you candy bar! lol

I promise to keep you all informed as to what is happening. I've gotten in contact with APS and I'll investigate the Wisconsin link you provided.
Tom