During the 1998-99 school year, many teachers who are part of an online group called the "Musketeers" enjoyed sending a variety of travel buddies to each others schools. One of these exchanges happened between Alta Elementary in Reedley, CA and Hornbaek School in Hornbaek, Denmark. This idea developed from a card that was mailed with Rasmus Klump when he returned to Denmark. It is hoped that the idea will travel far further and generate many new international friendships and correspondence.Into Lone Nielson's package I added a special card I found in Ghiradelli Square in San Francisco. It was called a "Metamorphicard" which is a silly word, but I liked the concept--a card designed "For the creative...From the creative." They were advertised as cards too pretty to use or give away! On the back is an interesting thought :
Between illusion and reality the artist builds a Bridge of Creativity......once taken, an adventure begins. Have fun. Enjoy the ride.
I have added a start into the middle of the card and some information on the back. From here it is heading to Lone. From there, I haven't a clue, but I hope it keeps on traveling. The journey is meant to be kept light in travel so that it may venture in ways that our buddies never did, it carries no extra baggage, no photos, no journals, any updates should be kept online to keep the ability of mobility as easy as possible.
I thought it might be something simple to send around and fit into school's stretched budgets. How fun it'd be to go to Margaret's school and the school they have assisted then perhaps off to Judith and Japan, or down to Bolivia, Slovakia, etc. Besides it can travel a lot faster than a more complex box that needs additions and updates.
When Lone receives the card, I will put up the short message I began and whatever she chooses to add. The idea is a combination of Lone's progressive story and The North Star, plus the unique inspiration this group provides to all of us. It just seemed to fit. I liked the simplicity and the depth of it all tied together.
I'm afraid I wasn't able to laminate the card to make it tougher as school is out. It probably will need a second stronger envelope. It is something that can pass quickly and easily from Musketeer to Musketeer or other explorers. Hopefully it will eventually wind back around or perhaps it won't and just keep sending on the mysteries that unfold. Keep it simple and short, I put two sentences on it, the card could easily inspire some wonderful artwork and simple poetry or verse to add. The verse could be by the teacher or each student could easily write a verse and do artwork (it would depend on when the card arrives at your school and what is happening).
The site of the North Star is at http://www.fablevision.com.
It would be easy to have the cards multiply so that as it reaches a destination, yet another is sent off as well from that point. That could be intriguing and each school then might have a simple evolving story line that develops from each card that all interweave. In a way our projects are like that, they interweave and connect at various points and continue to do so. That is why I couldn't resist this card, and when you see it you will probably understand what I mean.
Note: This project came to an end when the card was misplaced at one point along the way. Still those who participated in the project had a great deal of fun. Click here to see the story that developed, what countries the card traveled to, and how the card grew. Perhaps you might be inspired to add on and continue the Mystery Card.
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Cheryl Vitali: Project Designer & CoordinatorCopyright © Alta Elementary School All Rights Reserved
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