Send a Letter Airmail
Published in the Spring 2007 issue of the ACEI Exchange, pp 162 K
This Idea-Sparker was submitted by Jason McKinney, a graduate student at Southern Mississippi University and a 1st-grade teacher at Pisgah Elementary in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

This activity is designed for K-2 students but can be easily adapted for higher grade levels. Students will rise above the rest when the concept of letter writing is mentioned after this lesson. Integrated subjects include language arts, math, social studies, science, and the arts.

Let's Get Started: Begin the lesson with a helium tank and several balloons. Ask students to discuss their prior knowledge of helium. Associate helium with the three states of matter. In front of your group, blow up one of the balloons using the helium tank. Let the balloon float to the ceiling and discuss why it acted as it did. Next, blow another balloon up and attach a string to it. Then discuss possibilities of where the balloon might go if it were released out on the playground. Incorporate social studies by showing your state on a map. A lively discussion may ensue about where the balloon would go. At this point, begin a discussion of letter writing and model correct procedures on the board. An example may be: "Dear friend, I am a 1st-grade student, Jason McKinney, at Pisgah Elementary. We are studying helium and letter writing. I think this letter will end up in Mississippi. If you get my letter, could you please write me back" (leave apppriate contact information). Write the small letters on index cards, and use a hole punch to allow a string to be attached. As the students complete their letters, blow up their chosen balloons and attach the letter. Test the strength of the balloon in class. Discuss different types of transportation available for mailing items, including the cost of stamps. After all the students have completed their short letters and attached them to their balloons, march to the playground (preferably away from trees). On someone's command, let the balloons go and lie down on your backs for about 15 minutes and watch in amazement. Your kids will beg to write letters using airmail for the rest of the school year.

Family Involvement: Have students write to family members across the United States and world, asking for postcards from specific locations. Set a goal (50 states/7 continents/etc.) and record and share information about each new postcard. Students will attend school each day in hopes of receiving a postcard.

Community of Learners: Locate the nearest hot air balloon company in your area. Invite employees from that compay to your school to demonstrate the hot air balloon rides with your students; you may be able to get free rides if you explain to the company that the activity will eventually lead to purchased rides through word-of-mouth advertising. If that doesn't work, explain that you need a unique approach in helping explain the theory of helium and the concept of hot air rising for a science lesson. This should spark their interest!