March 13, 2022
The design a stamp project is something I do at the beginning of each school year. Once we've done the project, students have the background knowledge and experience they need to design stamps throughout the year as a project option.
Project Outline
Step 1: Watch the videos below and have students take notes on each. These can be Sketchnotes, Cornell Notes, Mind Map Notes, etc.
Step 2: Have students answer the questions below. This can be done whole class, in small groups, independently, etc.
What 5 things determine the value of a stamp?
Five things that determine the value of a stamp are age, place where it was issues, condition of the gum, perforation, and availability. Stamps that are still in good condition are more valuable than those with wear and tear. Stamps that are discontinued or are a part of a limited release are typically more valuable because they are more challenging to find.
What requirements does every stamp design need to meet in the United States?
Every stamp needs to say USA, Forever, and the year when it was released. These are the only requirements for stamp design in the Untied States.
How does USPS ensure their stamps can't be forged?
The USPS ensures their stamps can't be forged by including a micro text image in the design. The image is so small, it's nearly impossible for forgers to copy.
Why do stamp makers only need 4 colors when printing stamps?
Stamp makers only need 4 colors when printing stamps because they layer black, yellow, blue and red to create any color they could possibly need for their stamp.
Step 3: Have students design a stamp meeting all of the stamp design requirements set by the United States Postal Service. Give students a topic such as a person, place, event, or subject the stamp needs to represent.
Examples: Civil War, Summer Olympics, Nelson Mandela, Fractions, onomatopoeia
Modifications & Challenges:
Instead of designing a single stamp, have students design a set of 4 stamps to summarize a topic.
Challenge students to only use the same 4 colors as the United States Postal Service when coloring their stamps. If they use crayons or colored pencils, they should be able to blend the colors pretty well.
Step 4: Have students write a paragraph explaining their stamp design.
Math Extensions:
Have students use the Stamps, Letters, and Packages Chart linked below to answer math questions.
Math Question Examples:
How much money will it cost you to send three 2 oz letters, one 3.5 oz letters, and one 5 oz package?
How much more money would it cost to send two 2 oz packages than two 2 oz letters?
Is it less expensive to send three 1 oz letters or one 3 oz letters?