Letters and Postcards

WALT (We Are Learning To)

Understand the purpose and process of writing and sending letters/postcards.
Develop basic literacy skills by creating simple messages.
Engage with the local community through a postcard swap.
Experience anticipation and communication through real-world interaction.

Learning Objectives (Aligned with Te Whāriki)

Communication / Mana Reo: Children express their thoughts and interests in simple ways, using verbal and non-verbal communication to connect with others.
Contribution / Mana Tangata: Children engage with their local community, learning the value of communication and relationship building.
Exploration / Mana Aotūroa: Children explore symbols and marks as they participate in letter and postcard creation.
Wellbeing / Mana Atua: Children develop confidence and self-esteem as they achieve small literacy goals and participate in social exchange.
Belonging / Mana Whenua: Children see themselves as active members of their community, connecting with others beyond their immediate environment.

Success Criteria

Children can identify letters/postcards and understand their use.
Children successfully create a simple postcard with a drawing and/or mark-making.
Children actively participate in posting letters and understand basic steps (adding address, stamp).
Children show excitement and curiosity about receiving a reply from the community swap.
Differentiated needs for writing and communication are supported inclusively.

Resources Needed

Sample letters and postcards for demonstration.
Paper, crayons, markers, and stickers for making postcards.
Envelopes and stamps.
Access to a mailbox or a designated posting box.
Photos or a visit from a local postie or library/community centre representative.
Storage box for incoming postcards.

Lesson Breakdown (16 Minutes)

1. Introduction & Story Time (4 minutes)

Activity: Read aloud a short and simple story about sending letters or postcards (focus on steps/elements of posting).
Inclusive Strategy: Use picture books with clear images and simple language. For non-verbal children, use gestures and picture cards.
Learning Link: Children understand the purpose of letters/postcards as communication tools.
WALT focus: Experience language and social connection through stories.

2. Demonstration & Discussion (4 minutes)

Show a sample postcard: point out address, stamp, message area.
Talk about community helpers (postie) and the local library/community centre involved in the postcard swap.
Discuss simple steps: drawing a picture, writing their name or words, putting a stamp, and posting it.
Differentiation: Provide writing stamps or name stickers for children who are still developing fine motor skills or early literacy.
WALT focus: Explore the process and symbols in letter writing.

3. Creative Postcard Making (6 minutes)

Children create their own postcards using paper and art supplies.
Encourage mark-making, stickers, or scribbles for early writers; older children may write names or short words with support.
Teacher and helpers provide scaffolding and encouragement.
Inclusive Strategy: Provide adapted tools (large crayons, stamps) and one-on-one support for children needing extra help.
WALT focus: Express ideas through drawing and early writing.

4. Posting the Postcards (2 minutes)

Guide children to place stamps and addresses on postcards.
Walk to nearby postbox or designated area for posting.
Invite discussion about the community and how letters travel.
WALT focus: Engage physically and socially in a community-based literacy activity.

5. Anticipation and Follow-Up Plan (Discussion throughout)

Explain that postcards will be sent to the local library/community centre.
Children will receive replies, creating excitement and anticipation.
Display a 'Postcards Received' box for incoming replies.
Plan group sharing moments when postcards arrive.
Emphasise communication as ongoing and reciprocal.

Differentiation to Meet Diverse Learners

Use picture cards and gestures for children with limited verbal abilities.
Provide pre-written postcard templates for emergent writers.
Allow sensory materials (foam stamps, textured paper) for tactile learners.
Encourage peer support partnerships for collaborative work.
Incorporate sign language or other communication methods as needed.

Alignment with Te Whāriki Principles

Te Whāriki Strand	Explanation
Mana Reo (Communication)	Children use language and symbols to connect and communicate
Mana Tangata (Contribution)	Engaging with community through interactions and exchanges
Mana Aotūroa (Exploration)	Exploring marks and symbols to represent ideas
Mana Atua (Wellbeing)	Building confidence through successful literacy-related tasks
Mana Whenua (Belonging)	Seeing themselves as connected to a wider community

Assessment Suggestions

Observe children’s engagement during postcard creation.
Note verbal and non-verbal communication about the activity.
Capture photos of children making and posting postcards.
Record emerging writing or mark-making attempts.
Reflect on children's anticipation and responses to arriving postcards to assess understanding of communication.

Additional Notes

Reinforce Te Reo Māori greetings or phrases on postcards to support bilingual language development.
Use this activity as a multistage project over weeks to deepen learning through ongoing postcard exchanges.
Invite community visitors (postie or librarian) to enhance authenticity and community connection.

This lesson plan is designed to provide young children with meaningful, hands-on early literacy experiences within their community context, aligned with the values and strands of Te Whāriki, fostering communication, exploration, contribution, and a sense of belonging through the joy and purpose of letter writing and receiving.