Barton Students Use Snail Mail Program for Project Based Learning

From Barton Elementary School: Beverly Washington’s class at Barton Elementary implemented a school-wide postal system as part of a project-based learning program. It’s referred to as “Snail Mail” internally.

Each classroom teacher, custodians, support staff, secretaries, cafeteria staff, and the building principal installed a mailbox outside their door. Some are baskets or large fancy envelopes and some look like official USPS boxes with working red flags; all with a unique address.

"One of the keys to the success of this project, is that the activities required are performed daily with consistency and student self-reflections,” said Mrs. Washington. “Delivery of Snail Mail and maintenance of this system has become part of students’ daily routine. Due to the implementation of the school-wide mail system, the students have gained empowerment and have taken initiative and ownership of the tasks and skills they have gained through project based learning."

Each hallway has a street sign named for one of the seven continents, except Jumping Jack Lane for the gymnasium and Central America Street. They incorporated social studies, math, reading writing, and communication skills.

They looked at world maps and used the compass rose in deciding street names. For example, to reach Mrs. Danielson, the letter would be addressed “119 Europe Way, Medford, N.Y., 11763.” For all of the rooms upstairs, they were assigned Patchogue and downstairs was assigned Medford.

Mrs. Washington’s class put together an informational packet that went school-wide, explaining Snail Mail. In each of the 68 informational packets they included a Snail Mail number, an icon representing the block, addresses of everybody in the building, description of Snail Mail and a personal letter to all 68 people in an addressed envelope that included a stamp.

Each adult was informed that all mail must have a stamp,

and were encouraged to be creative in choosing the stamp. Students from Mrs. Washington’s class pick up mail weekly from all of the mailboxes and each child is assigned a particular route. If anything was missing it is stamped “Return to Sender” with a note explaining why it was being returned.

All the mail collected is post-marked with the date, sorted by block name and added to a weekly data chart, before being delivered.

Students develop a number of skills related to the tasks associated with this project. From asking and answering questions to participating in group activities to counting in various degrees and budgeting and counting money, there are so many every-day activities that add up to real-world and practical experiences.

Mrs. Washington’s students also use oral language skills to communicate problems with their fellow letter carriers such as, “I’m delivering mail to Antarctica and I found a post card addressed to Mrs. Draghi on Asia Boulevard ...”

As a result of this project, student leadership and mentoring skills have begun to emerge as they help each other. Students from Mrs. Washington’s class trained students from Mrs. Meyer’s class to assume the duties and responsibilities of the Snail Mail service as well.

Mrs. Washington incorporates not only students’ academic and individualized education program goals but also physical therapy, occupational therapy, ENL and speech language goals.

“Snail Mail has been a hit in our school,” said Washington. “Our school population is sending thank you cards to secretaries for that morning smile when they missed the bus, as well as students arranging play dates with friends on different floors in different grades.”

Mrs. Washington has weekly Snail Mail Team meetings to reflect on pros and cons with the service.

Naturally, teachers have reported how much their students look forward to letter writing and receiving letters from teachers, the principal, and their friends.

They started collecting on Nov. 2, 2017 and as of March more than 1,500 pieces of Snail Mail have circulated throughout Barton.

Photos courtesy of Barton Elementary School