Wonder Weavings: Stamps, Letters, & American Tales
Welcome to A Mother’s Thinking Love: Living Ideas, Lovingly Shared! As a homeschool mom, I’ve spent years trying to balance curriculum and encouraging a sense of wonder in our home. Over those years, I have developed, what I call, “Wonder Weavings”. In today’s post, I will share my first of, hopefully many, Wonder Weavings guides. Join me for “Wonder Weavings: Stamps, Letters, & American Tales”, a study of the history of the United States Postal Service!
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Why Study the United States Postal Service?
In our home, the decision to study the United States Postal Service, or USPS, was an easy one. We are finishing up a study of The American Revolution, and it’s the year of the 250th Anniversary of the USPS! We didn’t originally coordinate this match, but it worked out wonderfully. While this topic weaves into our current studies seamlessly, it would make a brilliant study during any year. Young children run to the window to see the mail truck go by each day. As they grow older, the begin to eagerly wait for mail or packages of their own. I think the nearly daily encounters with the mail truck spark a sense of wonder quite early for most children.
Answers to Common Questions
- Ages/Grade Levels- As designed, this guide is most appropriate for upper elementary or middle school students. I have included book options for younger students who wish to follow along.
- Length of Study- This guide could be used in as few as four weeks and as many as twelve weeks. I recommend six to eight weeks as the sweet spot.
- Cost- The Wonder Weavings guide is free to use. You can print it or use it from your phone, tablet, or computer. There are required books, however. These books can be purchased or checked out from your local library.
- Planning- You don’t have to do any planning, but I do recommend, as I share in the guide, mapping out a basic reading schedule. I also share a “Day in the Life” in the guide to show just one way you might implement these resources in a day.
The 250th Anniversary of the United States Postal Service
I did not include any information about the 250th Anniversary of the USPS in order to keep the guide evergreen. But, I will share some relevant anniversary information here. According the the USPS, “On July 26, 1775, the Second Continental Congress established “a line of posts” from Maine to Georgia to create a network of communications that kept Colonists’ messages from falling into the British Crown’s hands. This postal system later became the Post Office Department and then the U.S. Postal Service.”
- U.S. Postal Service Celebrates 250 Years
- USPS Recognizes 250 Years of Army, Navy, Marine Corps With New Stamps
- USPS has another busy year ahead. Here’s why
- Battefields of the American Revolution Stamps
Books
Here are links to the books from the guide:
- Who’s Got Mail?: The History of Mail in America by Linda Barrett Osborne
- Riders of the Pony Express by Ralph Moody
- Pilot Jack Knight by AM Anderson
- Draw the USA by Kristin J. Draeger
Finally, I hope you have enjoyed “Wonder Weavings: Stamps, Letters, & American Tales”. We are looking forward to using this guide in our home as a summer study. Have you studied the USPS? If so, share your experience in the comments below!
