It's a Small World After All - Portville Central School

The school year is off to a great start at Portville Central School. Within this contemporary learning system, is the 2013-14 fifth-grade class and their social studies teacher, Mrs. Kloc; together, they are experiencing first hand that they are part of a larger community: a global community.

They call their work “The Fifty Nifty United States Postcard Drive.” In the hallway by their classroom is a map of the United States, and it is surrounded by postcards from all around the Nation. The students have written to family and to friends and the postcard collection continues to grow. The communication and connections have reached beyond the United States; the students have started a “Postcards from Around the World” display.

In a World of High-Tech Communication, A Postcard Drive Helps Portville Central School Students Become Globally Aware

When the mail comes to room 104, there is a great deal of excitement. In addition to postcards, students have received artifacts like coins and brochures. The students take turns pointing to a map of the United States and a map of the World so that they can put into perspective where they are  at PCS in relation to the another state, country, or city. National and global awareness involves recognition and appreciation of the Earth as a single entity; it enables us to perceive the vastness of the world, its dynamic complexity, and the diversity of its people and cultures. The PCS “Postcard Drive” helps students see how they are part of a school system within a community that is part of a county, which is part of a state, a nation, and the world.

I had the privilege of interviewing each of Mrs. Kloc’s classes. I asked the students about their work and what they had been learning; there was so much enthusiasm in their responses, and there were common threads in each class. The most significant response was pride; many students stated, “Our collection continues to grow every week; we are learning so much; and our learning is connected to what we’re studying.”

The top three interests in the project are works of art and historical events; connections to family, friends, and new acquaintances, and advertising and marketing. Students discussed how many times the cards highlight famous works of art and significant historical events that have occurred in certain places. They also talked about friends knowledge, to build schema & empathy, and build community without leaving Portville Central School.

If you have a connection that you could share with Mrs. Kloc’s students, please have postcards sent to Portville Central School; PO BOX 790; Portville, NY 14770. The students hope to encourage other districts to create a postcard drive as well. Perhaps by the end of the school year, with the help of our essential partner CA BOCES’ Learning Resources the students can use contemporary technology to connect with some of the amazing students and/or people they’ve met along the way. Please e-mail me if you have any questions: anne_mitchell@caboces.org 

By: Anne Mitchell, Portville Central School and CA BOCES