Hero of the Year Stamp
teacher notes


Introduction

While you were at the post office mailing a letter, you overheard the postmaster telling a customer about a stamp design contest.  The contest is called "Hero of the Year".  The postmaster explains that the post office wants to honor a special hero by putting their picture on a stamp.  The winner of the contest will have their design made into a real stamp.  You ran home to tell your friend.  You've decided to be partners and enter the contest.


Task:

Many people have written about their heroes. You and your partner's job is to read about the heroes and choose one that you both think should be put on a Hero of the Year Stamp.  You will design a stamp and submit it for the contest.  You must impress the Post Office with a presentation showing your choice of a hero and your stamp design.
 


Process:

Read through the steps below.  After you and your partner read through the steps decide how you will work on the project.  You might consider dividing up some of the steps or working together on each step.

Step 1:  Discuss with your partner what it takes to be a hero.  Make a list of requirements.  Take part in brainstorming these requirements with the rest of the class.

Step 2:  Look up the word commemorative, philatelist, and hero. Write the definitions down.  You will need to add these to a PowerPoint later.

Step 3:  Read about the heroes.  A list of sites are below.  Don't forget to use books from the library, encyclopedias and other resources.  Before you begin, print out the graphic organizerto take your notes.

Step 4:  Choose a Hero of the Year.    Gather all the information you and your partner may need for this hero.  Ask permission to print out information, bookmark the sites if it will help.  Be sure to save any images of your hero that you might want to use to create your stamp.

Step 5:  Make a timeline with important events from the heroes life.

Step 6:  Here's the fun part!!!  Design a stamp honoring him or her.  Check out the stamp links below before you create your stamp.  You can see some past stamp designs.

Step 7:  Write a paragraph which persuades the postal committee to make a stamp.  Start out by making a graphic organizer that includes your topic and points of your paragraph.  Use your graphic organizer to write your paragraph.

Step 8:  Create your Powerpoint!  Remember to check the scoring guide to see what you need in your Powerpoint.  You can even add sound or video clips of your hero.

Step 9:Extra Points!  You and your partner can earn 10 extra bonus points by creating a graph showing the cost of a postage stamp from the year you were born until this year.  Where can you look for this information?  Can you ask anyone?  Oooo! This is challenging!

Items to be turned in:
graphic organizer from choosing your hero
graphic organizer for the persuasive paragraph
time line
stamp design
 
 

Resources:


Encyclopedia
Kids Click
Yahooligans (Try the 2 links above before clicking here.)

Links to sites:
My Hero
Time Magazine's Heroes of the 20th Century
People of the Century
Heroes on Bonus click on the right side to see more, look for the stars icon
Heroes of the Past
U.S. History Biographies (scroll down and click on the biography section)
Biography.com

Don't forget biographies from the library and encyclopedias.
 

Links to stamps:
 
Postal Service
People on stamps
History through stamps
Stamp Images

b
Evaluation
A copy of the scoring guide for each task and the Powerpoint will be given to you by the teacher.
 
 

Conclusion

Whew!!!   Your hero has had an interesting life.  They would be honored that you and your partner selected them for
Hero of the Year.
In just a day or two we will know who the Post Office selected for the newest commemorative stamp.  Will it be your hero??  Good luck!

Adapted from Hero Webquest
smitht_2000@yahoo.com