Postcards Across America - Coloring and Writing
The Digital Postcard Creator is an interactive web tool that lets students color digital images of American landmarks, national parks, and city skylines while writing their own postcard messages beside them. It encourages creativity, research, and writing skills by combining art, geography, and technology into one engaging activity.
 
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Postcards from America — Exploring Landmarks, National Parks, and City Skylines

Grades 5–7 • 1–2 class periods

Learning Objectives

  • Identify and describe major U.S. landmarks, national parks, and city skylines.
  • Compose a creative or informational postcard message from a traveler, ranger, local resident, or historical figure perspective.
  • Use digital tools (coloring, typography, export/print) to produce a multimedia product.
  • Demonstrate proper grammar, spelling, and sentence structure.
  • Appreciate the cultural and natural diversity of the U.S. through visual and written expression.

Standards Alignment

Social Studies

  • Identify significant U.S. landmarks and their geographic locations.
  • Explain how natural and human-made landmarks reflect regional culture and history.

English Language Arts

  • Write narratives/informational texts describing real or imagined experiences (CCSS W.5–7.3, W.5–7.2).
  • Use technology to produce and publish writing (CCSS W.5–7.6).

Art & Technology

  • Use digital media to express ideas visually and textually.
  • Explore color and composition in digital artwork.

Materials

  • Devices with access to the Digital Postcard Creator
  • Headphones for read-aloud (optional)
  • Teacher-curated image set: American landmarks, national parks, city skylines
  • U.S. map (print or digital)
  • Printer (optional) or shared class drive for saving

Suggested images: Statue of Liberty, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Golden Gate Bridge, Gateway Arch, Independence Hall, Chicago skyline, Seattle skyline, Washington D.C. monuments, Niagara Falls.

Lesson Sequence

1) Introduction (10–15 minutes)

  • Hook: Display several images and ask: “What do these places represent?” “Have you visited one?” “How do these places tell America’s story?”
  • Explain that postcards share experiences and stories from different places. Goal: Create a digital postcard celebrating a U.S. place.

2) Demonstration (10 minutes)

  • Choose an image from the dropdown; note sizes (e.g., 700×467 or 512×512).
  • Use Brush/Fill to color; adjust brush size/color.
  • Write a postcard message; change font and color; use spellcheck/grammar.
  • Use Read Aloud to proofread; save or print the final postcard.

3) Guided Practice (15–20 minutes)

Prompts:

  • A traveler visiting for the first time
  • A park ranger or local resident
  • A historical figure writing from the past

4) Independent Creation (20–30 minutes)

5) Sharing & Reflection (10–15 minutes)

  • Print or save postcards; post to a gallery or slideshow.
  • “Postcards from America” walk: read, notice, and celebrate peers’ work.

Reflection Questions: What did you learn about your place? How do images + writing strengthen a message? Which place would you visit and why?

Extensions

  • Geography Challenge: Plot postcards on a U.S. map; label regions.
  • History Connection: When was the landmark built or the park designated?
  • STEM Tie-in: How does the app combine art, design, and code?
  • Persuasive Writing: Convince readers to visit your location.
  • Art Extension: Create a hand-drawn version to complement the digital postcard.

Assessment Rubric

Category 4 — Exceeds 3 — Meets 2 — Developing 1 — Beginning
Content Knowledge Accurately identifies place and explains significance with depth. Includes relevant facts and clear description. Some details; significance partially clear. Minimal or inaccurate details.
Writing Quality Vivid, organized, grammatically strong; varied sentences. Clear and organized; minor errors only. Some errors affecting clarity. Frequent errors; lacks coherence.
Creativity & Design Highly creative color/font choices that enhance message. Appropriate and appealing visual choices. Limited creative effort or mismatched choices. Minimal visual engagement.
Technology Use Skillfully uses brush/fill, font, read-aloud, and export/print. Uses most features successfully. Needed assistance to complete. Struggled to use tools.

Optional Cross-Curricular Connections

  • Science: Ecosystems and wildlife of selected national parks.
  • Math: Measure map distances; compare city populations or elevations.
  • Art: Warm vs. cool palettes to create mood.
  • History: Immigration, industrial growth, and urban skylines.

Student Reflection (Printable)

  1. My postcard place is: _______________________________
  2. One new fact I learned: _______________________________
  3. How images + writing strengthened my message: _______________________________
  4. If I could visit, I would… because… _______________________________