Swap-bot Time: December 8, 2024 7:14 pm
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PC - World Neighbors

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Swap Coordinator:jj9jj (contact)
Swap categories: Postcards 
Number of people in swap:177
Location:International
Type:Type 2: Flat mail
Last day to signup/drop:September 1, 2009
Date items must be sent by:September 5, 2009
Number of swap partners:1
Description:

The theme for the middle school I teach in is going to be 'Around the World' this year. We are planning all sorts of exciting projects for the kids that involve getting to know our neighbors near and far. For this swap you will need to send a postcard to your assigned Swap-bot partner, as well as sending one to the address listed below telling something interesting about where you live. Ideally the postcard would be representative of where you live, though if you are vacationing somewhere else interesting, that would be fine, too! It can be store bought or handmade. In return you will receive a postcard from your assigned Swap-bot partner, as well as a handwritten postcard from one of the students at our school. The students get back to school on September 8th. Be sure to include your mailing address on the postcard to the school. Their postcards will be sent out by September 15th. There are close to 400 students at our school. It would be great to have all of them sending our postcards to you! Get your friends and family involved!

Send 2 postcards - 1 to your Swap-bot partner and 1 to

Lakeside Middle School, 316 Lakeside Ave. Pompton Lakes NJ 07442

added Aug. 19 - The students will NOT be going on Swapbot to read about you. They will only know what you write about yourself (if anything) on the PC.

Discussion

StephanieFromTN 07/17/2009 #

Just wondering, how will the students get ahold of the PC's they will be sending back? Or will they be making them?

cookie 07/17/2009 #

I imagine the students are sending pc's from their area? Anyway, watching until closer to sign-up date. I'm in Alaska!

Jananini 07/17/2009 #

This is a great idea! wish I was still teaching - I would have some of my students do this project. I am signing up!

squintgrad 07/17/2009 #

I love this idea - a chance to help students learn more about the world. I'm in. Here's hoping you get a great response!

jj9jj 07/17/2009 #

For those of you who asked - I am leaning towards having my students take digital pics of the local area and having them create and print the postcards themselves. Also, I don't think there are any postcards of our town being sold anywhere. I work closely with the computer and art teachers, too, so I will probably get their input and help! Thanks for signing up and asking!

Barbara 07/17/2009 #

This is a wonderful idea. I will sign up near to the date!

Lori 07/18/2009 #

What a fantastic idea to help the kids learn about other places.

ducky84 07/23/2009 #

That's such a cool idea! I sign up and I'm from Switzerland!

BBQ 07/28/2009 #

I would be happy to send you some too. I live in Kansas City, Ks, grew up in Leavenworth (also near Fort Leavenworth too), right next to the Missouri river too.

Would some from this area be ok for you. Let me know.

jj9jj 07/28/2009 #

Anywhere and everywhere would be great!!

SwedishMum 08/ 3/2009 #

Sweden is in too..... Great idea !!!

solarts 08/10/2009 #

What a fun idea. I'm part of this fun swap called, Postcrossing. http://www.postcrossing.com/ So far I have over 100 postcards from all over the world. It's free to sign up, it's for all ages.
On the site I go by the profile name- solarts66. Cheers,

helent 08/11/2009 #

A lovely idea for your kids - let hope they get cards from all around the world (I'm in Australia).

I'll second solarts suggestion above of Postcrossing - the members there probably come from a bigger mix of countries than Swapbot.

jj9jj 08/11/2009 #

I have already checked it out and registered. Thanks for such a great resource! Swap-botters rock!

babyamy 08/11/2009 #

great idea! I'm from Germany

angelstar 08/11/2009 #

I am watching this swap. I just wanted to say that hand-made postcards tend to get ruined and sometimes lost in the mail more than regular store bought postcards.

A suggestion is that your students send their cards in an envelope to help protect them. In fact, for anyone who makes a hand made card this may be a good suggestion.

DebP 08/11/2009 #

or you can laminate the cards after they are made and written on. :)

This is a really great idea. It is on my watch list for now as I am at my swap-bot limit. :(

Kalimorgana 08/12/2009 #

Great idea, I'm in :).

jj9jj 08/12/2009 #

Thanks for all your suggestions and participation!

Artistic 08/12/2009 #

What a fabulous idea!

solarts 08/12/2009 #

A suggestion on hand-made postcards is to use real photos. I have found some at some thrift stores, book shops and antique stores. Or maybe they can create their own photos. Then glue the photos onto card board and make sure that the size of the card board is the average size of postcards. I think it's about 4X5.5 in. Watch out for those oversized postcards. The post office will ask for more stamps on the postcard if it's over the average size. I have made that mistake before many times. Unless the school doesn't mind paying extra for oversized postcards. Good luck and it sounds like a fun big project.

winniethepooh 08/15/2009 #

I'll put it on my watch, England.

zanylady 08/15/2009 #

OH what a super idea! I'd love to participate but will be out of the country and in the jungles of Indonesia so won't have access to a computer. Maybe you'll want to do this again later????

I would encourage sending the handmade cards through the mail as "naked" Just be sure that the photo is glued on well and that the card is stiff enough to go through the machines. I've sent dozens through, although I pay extra for my fabric ones with embellishment for hand canceling.

Have fun!

jj9jj 08/16/2009 #

Thanks for your interest & comments on this PC-World Neighbors swap. I am so excited to have 50 swap-bot buddies so far!! Everyone who signs up for this swap will get a return PC in September - but we would be glad to get more anytime during the year - and will send a return PC for each one we get. So keep us in mind if you have a trip planned! We would love to have postcards from all over - even if you have to mail it when you get home from a trip.

TexyDeb 08/17/2009 #

Anything to help children learn. Hearts to you jj9jj for making learning interesting and fun. ((hugs))

TexyDeb 08/17/2009 #

I am on the Greek island of Santorini (Thira).

poliveira1978 08/17/2009 #

I'll send my postcard from Portugal.

GREAT IDEIA!!!

missnomer 08/17/2009 #

im signing up! philippines here!!!!

i'd love to get a postcard anytime!!!!

funkhoup 08/18/2009 #

Can I send the school postcard now???? Count VA, USA in!!!! I'm sending an extra from my favorite vacation spot. Neat fun idea--anything to get students learning.

jj9jj 08/18/2009 #

Good thinking! You can send your postcard to the kids anytime, though they won't be back in school until earlt Sept. to respond. Your swapbot partner won't be assigned until Sept. 1, so be sure to save one for that, too!

helent 08/19/2009 #

Hi jj9jj - are you happy for people to send more than one to the school? I'm quite excited about the idea of getting cards from the students...

jj9jj 08/19/2009 #

More than one to the kids at school would be fine. I will be sure to have different kids write back! Thanks for asking!

chocolatnoisette 08/19/2009 #

Great, I love this idea ! I sign up ! (from France)

Jananini 08/19/2009 #

I am going to send two postcards since i just moved from one place (Chicago) and live in another (Las Vegas)..I think I will put them in an envie so they only send me back one. What do you think?

Jananini 08/19/2009 #

or am I ruining the effect of the postcard being stamped?...I can go either way...in fact, I don't mind sending more than two since I travel a lot and have a lot of extra postcards.

jj9jj 08/19/2009 #

I don't think the kids are going to care if the PC is stamped or sent in an envelope. I am hoping the 'where' they came from and "what' they find out from 'who' sent the postcard will be their interest! You certainly can end them together in an envelope - but I see no problem having more than 1 student write back to you, either, if you want to send 2 without envelopes. I am hoping the kids are as excited about this as I am!

pahasiga 08/20/2009 #

If I remember it, I will send a postcard from Latvia.

Is the address as you wrote - just "school"? I wonder where will those postcards go - to school secretary?

clebeans 08/20/2009 #

I'm in. This sounds cool. Its a good way for children to learn about other countries and places

jj9jj 08/20/2009 #

It is a relatively small school and the office is aware that we will be receiving postcards from all over and will put them in my mailbox. If you want to address them to me, Janine Maletsky, that is fine - but don't worry - they will make it to me even if you don't!

I am soooo excited to have over 70 participants! The kids will be excited, too!!

jcblink 08/21/2009 #

Wow, this is a great idea for the kids! I'm in! You can add Japan to this growing list of countries!

I'll be sending the one to the kids before the "send by" date from Tokyo but to my partner, I'll have to send it to you when I'm in the US since I'll be vacationing there at the time partners are assigned.

FROGGY42 08/21/2009 #

Wonderful idea and you are certainly getting a huge response! Hope the kids have a real good time with it and learn a lot! Thanks for the swap. ~Gail from Maine, USA

mamalieveheersbeestje 08/22/2009 #

I would love to join in too! I live in the north of the Netherlands and can sent cards of my surroundings. I love this idea! Do you know about postcrossing.com ? This is a postcard swap project too, and I do this too. There are schools involved also, maybe an idea for your school too. But this time I join in on swapbot! mama lieveheersbeestje from the Netherlands.

chuysgirl 08/23/2009 #

Wow -- what an original, outside the box idea. Count me in.

atinagrace 08/23/2009 #

OK, the wonderful state of Missouri is in too!!!

atinagrace 08/23/2009 #

OK, the wonderful state of Missouri is in too!!!

KitschyKewpie 08/24/2009 #

This sounds like a great swap. I can't wait!

PDXyogini 08/24/2009 #

Looks like fun and I'm willing to send two post cards to the school. I live in Portland, Oregon, however, on Wednesday I'm traveling to Hawaii and can send one from there too!

What a fun idea for your class!

FarStarr 08/24/2009 #

I'm in from Massachusetts!

I have found that handmade cards travel in the mail just as well as store-bought cards as long as they are made well. Cereal box cardboard is one of my favorite substrates. Papers added on top need to be securely glued down.

I have also used my own photos and backed them with cardstock using double-sided tape. It ends up to be just the right thickness and as long as you use the doublesided tape all along the edges and a few prices in the middle. They always travel well.

jj9jj 08/24/2009 #

Wheeeeee! We're almost at 100 participants! Wow, am I excited!! THANK YOU ALL!!!!

scrappermama 08/25/2009 #

Postcard from Houston,TX in the mail! What a GREAT idea!

solarts 08/25/2009 #

It's now 110! people who signed up. Hopefully swap members who have sent their past swaps. I have my postcards ready to be sent out by Sept.

jj9jj 08/25/2009 #

I know this is early - but please let me know if you do not receive your PC from either your swapbot partner or your 'student'. I would be glad to 'angel' either.

jj9jj 08/25/2009 #

Great idea from one of the participants - she sent the postcard with her child's name so he/she would get the return card!

adlitam 08/26/2009 #

Sweden's in! :-) Buying postcards today...

MrsAnnaSue 08/26/2009 #

Would you like more than one postcard sent, if possible? Would you like a postcard from a country that may not be represented by those that have signed up?

evieroz 08/26/2009 #

Another St. Louisan is in also. Sending two postcards in envelope today. Great swap for the kids.

jj9jj 08/26/2009 #

Thanks for all the good questions! I plan on this being more of a 'find this place on the map' and 'read what the person sending it has to say about that place' than a stamp/postmark collecting experience. So - if you have postcards from places you have been - feel free to send them. Please just include something about the place on the postcard - what you saw, what you know about the area or place, etc.

jj9jj 08/26/2009 #

A couple of reminders: Be sure to include your snail mail address on the PCs to the school. The kids will NOT be looking at the swapbot site - but I will be able to contact you through swapbot if you forget. You can always PM me with your address if you forgot.

I will be keeping a detailed log of what postcards come in, who they are from, who is writing back and when the replies are sent. There are so many great swapbotters participating that I have included the 6th grade teachers in helping with the project. This way we can split the PC's amongst the entire 6th grade and there will be more of us coordinating the kids! They are super excited about this, too!!!

And as always - THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for participating!

jj9jj 08/26/2009 #

One more thing - don't be disappointed about signing up if you think someone else from your area has signed up - I plan on have a different kid write every PC from school. I am sure no two of you will write the same thing, anyway! When all the 6th graders have gotten a chance I will let the 7th graders each write one, etc.

Ystarr 08/26/2009 #

This is a great idea, jj9jj, and I hope it's a successful one for your students. While nearby your school, you'll be getting one from NYC!

jj9jj 08/26/2009 #

You'd be surprised, Ystarr, how many of the students have never been to NYC, even though it is less than 30 minutes away!!

auburnite 08/26/2009 #

Wonderful ideas like this 'almost' make me wish I were back in a middle school classroom!! Great idea jj9jj!! Bet the kids luv ya'!!

solarts 08/26/2009 #

F.Y.I. I'm hosting a new swap called, "Anything Cheerful!' Swap. http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/44061 Please check it out and tell all your friends.

orit 08/28/2009 #

Wonderful idea and so educational. I wish my school had done such a thing when I was growing up.
Expect a couple of postcards from sunny Israel.

snowbaragi 08/28/2009 #

Im Korean Its very interesting and educatianal.

I hope doing like this in my country.

jj9jj 08/28/2009 #

Feel free to share the idea with your schools (kids' schools) and be sure to let me know if you host one similar - so I can sign up!

saskwoman 08/28/2009 #

i am sending a postcard of a map from saskatchewan ,canada

GTstamper 08/28/2009 #

What a great swap and what a great teaching idea! I am probably going to send a few extras to the school. GT

jj9jj 08/28/2009 #

Thanks, GT, and all the others that are sending extras to the kids!!

barbiedarbie 08/29/2009 #

I have a Special Ed class and I share all of my swap-bot and postcrossing cards with them. Last year we did Flat Stanley and this year my theme is "Exploring the World." I love your idea, I wish my kids could get cards too. :)

PDXyogini 08/29/2009 #

So much fun! Picked up a postcard in PDX before leaving for Hawaii and picked out another postcard at the City of Refuge to send. Again, what a lovely idea for your class!

natalich 08/29/2009 #

love the idea.I'll send one from croatia :D

beadladystamps 08/29/2009 #

I have found a image of our house and the surrounding land on google maps. I plan to use that image on my postcard.

jj9jj 08/29/2009 #

beadladystamps - What a great idea!

jmjelde 08/30/2009 #

I did something like this when I was in the Peace Corps in uganda. It was unbelievably fun getting letters from all the kids. Count on some cards from out here in da middo o da ocean.

EmTabby 08/30/2009 #

Im in!! sending from England too

tokyoloveletters 08/30/2009 #

I can't wait for this swap! :D

mermaidery 08/30/2009 #

What a great idea.. I live in New Jersey as well, but it'll be a chance to send your kids another part of New Jersey, since you're about an hour and a half north!

rhynah 08/31/2009 #

Great idea! I'll send a card from Finland.

suepier 08/31/2009 #

I am not in the swap but I will send a card to the school.

mellyrose89 08/31/2009 #

I'm in!! You'll be receiving two cards from Australia =D And maybe more, once I work out the best way to make them myself =D When I become a teacher I will definitely do something like this. And I also recommend PostCrossing to everyone here.

jinnah 09/ 1/2009 #

Ooh, I wish my teacher had done this when I was in school! I can send more than one from Seattle if you'd like, I sort of hoard postcards, haha.

kazaguruma 09/ 1/2009 #

Thats a great idea! Im sooooooo in!

Im from Brazil!!

jj9jj 09/ 1/2009 #

The more postcards - the merrier! Thanks!

washingtonmaverick 09/ 1/2009 #

I forgot till I wrote the postcard that Lewis & Clark died where I am living! WOW! I even included that on the post card!!! Sent 9/2!

kazaguruma 09/ 2/2009 #

now im waiting my partner adress so i can send my PC x3

roosje 09/ 2/2009 #

Ehh,when will the partners be assigned?I am newbie,can you tell?

jj9jj 09/ 2/2009 #

OK - I have assigned your Swapbot partners! Again - THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU ALL for signing up for this project!!

jj9jj 09/ 2/2009 #

Wow - I went to school today and had over 20 PCs already! The whole 6th grade team is a-buzz about how they are going to use the PCs, how they are going to display them, etc.

ejorpin 09/ 3/2009 #

just sent of my cards and read all the comments - such a cool idea! am so glad the school kids are so excited :)

jj9jj 09/ 3/2009 #

Many of you have offered to send and even already sent more than 1 PC to the kids at school. Any number of PC would be welcomed and answered. Again - I thank all of you for your generosity!

mellyrose89 09/ 3/2009 #

I sent the postcards to the school a couple of days ago, you should hopefully receive them on Friday or Monday =D

orit 09/ 4/2009 #

I sent my PCs today, be aware that mail from Israel takes time to arrive

shellycarebear 09/ 4/2009 #

mine have gone out in the mail today! i just love this idea :)

solarts 09/ 4/2009 #

Hi, I sent an extra postcard from Az. to your school. I hope the web site Postcrossing has been helpful for your school project. Please let me know if the site has been helpful. I think it's a great idea what your doing for your school. Please let me know if you need more postcards sent out for your students. I have many more from my state. Best wishes, Solarts (Stephanie)

kazaguruma 09/ 4/2009 #

Heeeey

I sent my PCs today But maybe will take a long (about 2 weeks) cause i live in Brazil!!

Im afraid cause tomorow and monday will be national holliday ;-; hope the PC wont delay!!

KitschyKewpie 09/ 5/2009 #

I'm also sending three postcards to the school. :-)

jj9jj 09/ 5/2009 #

The kid will be looking forward to answering the postcards whenever they come! We will try and get our responses out quickly - but those that take a while getting to us will probably take the same amount of time to get back to you.

FarStarr 09/ 6/2009 #

I forgot to mark it as sent yesterday, but they did go out! I even had the postal clerk hand cancel them with the Duxbury cancellation.

Artistic 09/ 6/2009 #

Postcards are in the box, but forgot about the Labor Day holiday, so they won't get moving in the postal system until Tuesday.

missnomer 09/ 7/2009 #

whew!

just got my postcards sent out today, and planning to send more during the year! is it ok?

jj9jj 09/ 8/2009 #

My mailbox was STUFFED today!! You are all so generous! We will be starting to write back real soon! Thanks again!

jj9jj 09/16/2009 #

Once again - let me thank everyone who sent us postcards. The 6th grade teachers and their kids are all really excited about reading them and writing back! They just got started yesterday. They are working on them along with their other schoolwork. We want to make sure they write enough - and that you can read it - so we are having them write rough drafts first. That being said - they will be finished and in the mail by next week at the latest. We appreciate your patience in waiting for your postcards from us.

For those of you who sent more than one postcard - we are going to have the kids write one to each of the participants first and then will try to get additional ones out to those of you that sent more.

Again - thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Janine (for Lakeside School!)

jj9jj 10/15/2009 #

Just emailed everyone. Thanks for your patience. The postcards have been making their rounds through the school. The 6th grade teachers finally got the kids postcards to me and they are going to the post office tomorrow. I was amazed to realize that so many of them had never written a postcard. It was a great learning experience all the way around for them. And for me! Next time, I will oversee the writing myself so it doesn't take so long! Again - Thank you for writing and enjoy your postcards.

straycat911 10/27/2009 #

I got my postcard today from a little girl called Stephanie and it made my day!

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