In this project, students will learn and apply word processing
skills, desktop publishing skills, as well as Internet and e-mail
use.
First, students students write an introductory letter about
themselves, their school, community, and their state which is
sent by e-mail to other participants around the country.
Next, students use the digital camera to take pictures around
the school, community, and other points of interest around the
area. These pictures as well as other pictures and images such
as state shape, map, flower, bird, etc. are downloaded from the
Internet and used to create picture postcards. Students will
use desktop publishing skills to create the postcards including
the back side of the card with a descriptive message. Mailing
labels are created and attached to the postcards for snail-mailing
to other participating schools. As postcards are received from
other schools, a wall map of the U.S. is marked to denote the
placement and participation of different schools all over the
country.
After sending and receiving postcards, students will create
quilt squares depicting the state with fabric paint and thread.
Students must write and type a letter about themselves with an
explanation of why the graphic is representative of the state.
Another set of mailing labels printed and the quilt squares with
letters are sent to participants around the country. One square
is kept to use later. As the squares arrive from around the country,
the wall map is again marked to denote its arrival, and the accompanying
letters and materials are filed for later reference.
The next activity deals with recipes. Students research recipes
specific to the area. The class decides on what recipe(s) are
to be sent by e-mail to other classes. The recipe(s) are typed
and e-mailed. As recipes are received from all over the country,
the wall map is again marked. The recipes are filed for use when
all have arrived.
Students next write an essay concerning a tradition or custom
specific to the area. The decides on which essay is used to e-mail
to all of the other classes. As traditions are received from
other participants, they are filed for use as the cookbook is
being created.
After receiving all of the recipes, the students determine
the organization and layout of a cookbook. Recipes are typed,
and graphics and other notes are added to each page. The cover,
table of contents, appendix, and an autograph page is also created.
The students use office equipment to reproduce copies of the
cookbook to distribute.
The cookbook is then shared with the Culinary Arts program.
The culinary students prepare the dishes, and cards are created
to identify each dish. A festival or fair is held as the culminating
event. Results of the project are shared, including the quilt
which has been pieced together by students, volunteers, parents,
and/or teachers.
