Postcards

Drawing, writing, and mailing postcards offers children learning a second language an opportunity to integrate writing and pictures in service of communication. Postcards include a picture of an event or experience, a caption that describes the scene, and a personal response. Anselm has drawn a picture of New York City. On the back (which is not visible), he has a caption that describes the scene and reports on his trip over the Fourth of July holiday.

As is true of other forms of writing, the process begins with planning (or rehearsing) the draft. Sketching helps plan the picture; a rough draft of the message lets students decide what they want to say. Teachers can talk with students as they draw and write to help them to refine their message. Finished postcards (the final pictures and writing) can be displayed...or better, mailed.

Children in the host schools would enjoy exchanging postcards with Swiss students. Let me know if you need help making the arrangements.

The original plan for these postcards was for them to be whale postcards. But the weather was bad (fog and rough water) for the day we scheduled, so we postponed.