INFORMATION

• To get students meaningfully communicating with each other through writing.
• To develop trust between class members so they can more easily share some of their other creative work.
• If done from scratch, to provide a creative activity that is linked to the writing they will do with it. Using creativity outside of the content of their writing helps get them "in the mood".

MATERIALS NEEDED

• A simply made, portable mailbox (a covered cardboard box will do). The instructor can either bring it ready-made, or can bring materials for students to make a class mailbox together (maybe a small group who finishes some other activity first).
• Lots of ready-made envelopes in varying sizes/colors, if possible. Or, large pieces of paper, wrapping paper, magazine pictures, etc. that can be made into envelopes with tape and glue.
• Pens, markers, stickers, scissors, etc. for writing / addressing.

INSTRUCTIONS -- HARD COPY

1. Provide a short activity or choice of activities that students can do / write and then mail to a classmate on the very first day. This works well at the end of a partnered activity. Students should also be invited/requested to write to the instructor. The written communication need not be long or involved. Every one then starts off right away both sending and, at the next class meeting, receiving at least one piece of mail.
2. Allow students to generate the "rules" of the mailbox / delivery system. They can be posted on the mailbox itself or in class, etc. (For example, how is it to be collected / delivered, privacy / sharing issues, whether anonymous letters can be sent, if articles other than sealed "mail" can be routed through the box, etc.).
3. Place the mailbox in a convenient place outside of class hours or set up a method that allows students to contribute items outside of class time.
4. Respond promptly and in "good form" to correspondence that is directed to you, the instructor.

INSTRUCTIONS -- ONLINE

• Email (private/individual and group messages possible).
• Class bulletin board through a service such as Nicenet.
• Shared email lists through services such as Student Lists (participants around the world can read them).