First grade students at Perry Lower Elementary took on a unique writing and geography project, after a simple idea turned into a nationwide - and even worldwide - project!
It began when one first grade teacher, Sarah Hartman, discovered an activity she thought would be a perfect fit for her students. She shared with the first grade team, and they all jumped on board, and titled the project “Hearts Across the World”.
The goal was to receive letters and postcards from across the United States. First grade students played an active role by reaching out beyond their classroom walls. With help from their families, students and parents shared the project information with friends and relatives across the country and around the world. As cards arrived at the school, students eagerly placed them on a large map, tracking where each one came from.
The hands-on activity has become an engaging way for students to explore geography. By marking each location, they’ve strengthened their understanding of the 50 states while also gaining a broader sense of the world. Teachers also used this project to help their students apply life skills, such as writing and mailing letters.
So far, the first grade class has received approximately 250 cards. They’ve heard from every state except North Dakota, bringing them just one state shy of a complete national collection. In addition, the classroom has received cards from 11 different countries, expanding the project far beyond its original scope.
What started as a simple classroom idea has grown into an exciting global connection — and an unforgettable learning experience for Perry first graders!