Ideas to Inspire

When I was younger, we would get pen pals through school and I’d love to write on Hawaii postcards. I had a pen pal in Israel and Kansas that I wrote to for several years. Even these silly, non-curricular pieces of writing were important to me because through the simple act of writing, I got to meet people, learn about their culture and learn about them. Even after my pen pal days, I’d write notes to my friends just because it was for a real audience. I don’t have any of my old essays, but I have my notes from others.

Students in this internet age text message each other and email, or call, but like postcards, e-cards are a more personal way to write, and even though it’s still on line, as writers we craft our messages on an e-card more than we would on an email or text message.

At the Martha Stewart site, students can pick their own pumpkins, and follow the arrows to add color, stem, eyes, nose and mouth. Then they can write their own message and send it to their friends or classmates. The fact that it’s real writing will encourage them to actually reread and edit their text.

The Field Museum lets students send e-cards with pictures of Aztec sculptures. The recipient not only gets the card, but also gets background information on the sculpture that was chosen for the e-card. This is a special exhibit, so the Aztec e-cards will probably end in April when the exhibit is over.