Drop Me a Line!

By Christine Adrian

Summer 2005

To download all four lessons in PDF format, click here.

Goal: Students will engage in a historical study of the history hidden in postcards and a critical study of changes in ongoing personal written communication.

Essential Questions:

1. How has communication changed from the "postcard era" and the "email era"?

2. Does the way a society communicates over distances affect the way the society communicates face to face, or is communication styles a reflection of the way a society communicates?

3. How does an individual's personal record of history reflect a larger history?

4. How does the "everyman's" writing style and content reveal information about a local culture?

5. How can we understand moments in history by “stepping into the shoes” of people from the past?

6. How do the images chosen to be sent in communications reflect personal interpretations about important information about the current events of the time?

7. Why do different forms of communication develop?

Lesson #1: The History of Postcards

Students will discuss their knowledge of the styles of communication of the past and present. Students will then study the history of postcards. Students will then use this knowledge as a foundation to study archived postcards.

Lesson #2: Evaluating Postcards as Primary Sources

Students will examine local primary sources (postcard samples) and national primary sources (postcard samples) to examine the history contained within the cards, and to spark discussion about the types of images that were used for postcards depending on the community context.

Lesson #3:  Comparing Quick Communication – Postcards vs. Email

Students will examine and compare the written content of archived postcards and current day email content to draw conclusions regarding how communication has changed over the last century. This comparison will be used contemplate how changing forms of communication effect every day life (or is a reflection of changing lifestyles).

Lesson #4: Culminating Activity: Capturing History Through Postcards

Students will use the information learned about the use and historical relevance of postcards over the course of the unit to create a postcard of their own that reflects their personal, local and larger historical context.