Postcard Art!

Lesson Objectives • Students will incorporate measurement, literacy and Artistic ability to make a post card. • Students will methodically plan out a design or multiple. • Students will learn the proper layout for a postcard (size, sturdiness). • Students will engage with the US postal system in order to understand a different form of communication and engagement with friends family and those they care about. Teaching Strategies • Introduce students to the ruler as a tool of measurement. • Seek out a sturdy paper that can be transformed into a postcard. • Instruct students to maintain and show care when producing art on one side vs. the side that will need to be clean of marks and legible for mailing. (Have students practice their written message before their final draft on the postcard itself). • Explain the importance of the Postal System and how this form of communication is still valued. Discuss the various ways in which individuals have communicated over time. • Allow students to place the stamp themselves and place their postcard in the mailbox – with the Flag up or take a field trip to the post office and show students how mail is sent and received.

As we close out the last week of school I would like to challenge you to make a piece of art that is a specific size, that can be mailed!

Materials • Cardstock paper (a stronger much more durable paper) 5 inches wide by 7 inches long. • Colored Pencils • Oil Pastel • Marker • Crayon • Watercolors • Optional - Collage materials – Glue Stick – Old Magazines or paper or scissors. • A Postage stamp- . 35 cents or .55 cents (safe bet) • Use whatever materials you have available. Even if it’s a drawing in pencil with lots of detail.

Steps 1. Using a ruler, measure out a rectangle 5 inches by 7 inches. This is a standard postcard size – Cut cleanly the shape that you have measured out.

2. Flip over your postcard and draw a line down the middle. You will now create a spot for an address and a spot for writing your message. Please see the standard format below

Message Place stamp in upper right corner.

Write the address of the person whom you wish to send the post card to.

3. Flip your postcard over again. Think about the message you want to send. How can you get it across through drawing, painting, collage etc? Begin your art on the side opposite of the address and message.

4. After you finish, write a message to a friend, or send a message to a loved one! Be sure to write clearly and small enough for a simple message. Make as many postcards as you wish!

• Remember to follow the size requirements. (5x7) Your original art will be beautiful and will bring happiness to those you send a postcard to.

If you would like to send a postcard to school to put up in the art room please send to : BFE Art Class 1390 W Bosque Loop Bosque Farms, NM 87068 Postcard stamps are available at the local post-office for 35 cents. To be safe I used a “forever stamp” which costs 55 cents. Check out my post card: I used watercolor and cut out an image from a magazine and glued it on to the paper… Didn’t take much time. I think I’ll make more!

Don’t forget to drop your postcard in the mail! Summer is right around the corner!! ~ Mr. Otero