Illinois has so many wonderful places to visit, and postcards are a fun way to let others know about where you’ve been! Using the 2 cell poster template provided, students will create a postcard from Illinois. The written part must include at least one fact about the landmark, and the picture must accurately depict the location.
Some popular tourist attractions in Illinois include Lincoln’s New Salem, Shawnee National Forest, The Loop in Chicago, Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Zoo, Anderson Japanese Gardens, and the Willis Tower.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a postcard from a landmark in Illinois.
Student Instructions
Invite your students to exchange postcards with another class in a different Illinois city or even out of state. This activity helps students share their research and learn about new landmarks directly from peers.
Reach out to colleagues, use educator forums, or connect with local schools to find a classroom interested in a postcard exchange. Building these connections can broaden your students' perspectives and foster collaboration.
Discuss with students what to include: a landmark image, a fact, a creative address, and a friendly note. Clear guidelines make the exchange meaningful and ensure every postcard is informative.
Send the postcards and encourage students to track where their cards go using a classroom map. This builds excitement and reinforces geography skills.
After receiving postcards, have students present interesting facts or differences about other landmarks. Sharing insights helps reinforce learning and celebrates the diversity of Illinois.
To create a postcard lesson about Illinois landmarks, use a 2-cell poster template: one cell for a creative image of a landmark and the other for a short note with at least one fact about the site. This hands-on activity helps students learn about Illinois while practicing writing and art skills.
Popular Illinois landmarks great for student postcards include Lincoln’s New Salem, Shawnee National Forest, The Loop in Chicago, Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Zoo, Anderson Japanese Gardens, and Willis Tower. Each offers unique history or scenery to inspire student creativity.
Students should include at least one interesting fact about their chosen Illinois landmark, such as its history, location, or unique features. This helps recipients learn something new and makes the postcard more informative.
Encourage students to research their landmark for accuracy, use vibrant images or drawings, and write a clear, friendly note. Remind them to include the state name, a fun stamp, and a creative address to personalize their postcard.
Creating postcards about Illinois landmarks helps students develop research, writing, and artistic skills while fostering pride in their state. It’s a fun, engaging way to learn about geography and history in an interactive format.