Beginning Stamp Class - Techniques & Materials

I'll be teaching a beginning class in stamps to students in the 10 year old range. I've come up with a basic US stamp book from Harris but I would like to get them started with stamps for their album.

Since there seems to be lots of material from the 40's to the 50's I thought this would be a good place to start.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Tom

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KS-Edit: This thread started in the Giveaway Forum, but evolved into a discussion of techniques for teaching a beginner's class, so I have edited and moved it here.

Hi Sdtom,

I do have a suggestion. If you get some of the older water activated stamps on paper, a section on soaking stamps to remove them from the paper then drying and pressing them might be fun for them.

This material is going to help me greatly and I appreciate all of you chipping in and helping. This is a fine fine site.
Tom

Any stamps you have left over or don't need, please considering donating to the APS Stamps Teach program: http://stamps.org/stamps-teach

I am hoping that the class will go over well enough that it will carry into the spring and summer and be a permanent course they can take. I'm also in contact with a second school who is also interested. Who knows I may be teaching this every day.

Hi Tom,

It's really admirable that you are one of the collectors who is literally taking stamping to the next generation. This Community is all about supporting the type of enthusiasm for stamps collecting that your selfless teaching efforts exemplifies. I am sure I speak for the vast majority of Forum members who are more than happy to share some of their dupes so that your class is a fun experience. Keep up your great work!

Cheers,

I'm starting to get in a nice selection of material from all of you. Thank you so much for your generosity.

The community school district now wants from me an outline of the content of the classes. Sometimes I think anything to make it more difficult. There will be (8) 45 minute classes. I have a list of some of the topics that I think I would like to cover. That would be an introduction, mounting of stamps, soaking of stamps, first day covers, what to collect on a budget, possible items to purchase in the future, topical collecting, handling and storing of stamps, how to make your own stamp album. Are there other things you can think of?
Tom

Watermarks
Forgeries and fakes
Cinderellas
Printing techniques and processes
Postal history, including special delivery, Pony Express, Free Rural Route delivery, APO addresses and mail for servicemen and women, &c.
Discerning among types
A view toward WW collecting
Topical collecting
Back of Book

(Hahaha, is this all too complicated for your age group?)

You can make postal history more applicable if you tie it to the internet for the kids. The internet is, after all, the 'next generation' of communication between people.
Don

All great ideas from everyone. I think your very first class (Introduction) could set the tone for what follows. If the kids understand what these paper things are and what they were meant to do, then the other classes naturally follow. I like the postal history idea, pony express, catapult mail, air mail, rocket mail, etc. Eventually you'll have to get into stamp handling, preparation and presentation, but don't take too long getting to these concepts as the attention span could be limited. You want to quickly get to the tactile facet of your classes, and having lots of stamps (and stamp tongs) laying around will help you there.

I wouldn't dwell too much on the economics, other than to remind kids that these stamps were printed in the Billions, and the chance of something common appreciating in value is very, very low. They should know that there are some valuable ones out there, but that the vast majority of 10 cent stamps are worth 10 cents now. (Lesson: Don't collect if your plan is to become rich!)

Note: From a PC point-of-view, be sure to check all of your stamp examples carefully to make sure no objectionable material is displayed. Just my thoughts.

Having the students design their own postage stamp might be fun.

Can you believe I'm a little bit scared?
Tom

Kids that age think adults are dumb and clueless. I find that confirming their impression is helpful; they'll be easier on you. I'm always certain to tell corny jokes.

Then again, I always tell corny jokes.

Tom,

It's natural to be nervous. You're not used to teaching, right?
Just go have fun! I LOVE the idea KGB suggested...maybe hook up with an art teacher to have the kids design their own stamp. Some may go for sports, or Sponge Bob Square Pants cartoon, or who knows?

Looking back I'm sorry I didn't get a pile of the sponge bob cards. It would be a good thing to have the students do. At least in Minneapolis what a dud of a program that turned out to be.
Tom