Books that can be read during a post office theme include "A Visit To The Post Office" by Sandra Ziegler, "Here Comes Mr. Eventoff With The Mail" by Alice K. Flanagan, "Mr. Griggs' Work" by Cynthia Rylant, "Tortoise Brings The Mail" by Dee Lillegard, "Where Does The Mail Go" by Tim and Julie Nyberg, "The Jolly Postman" by Janet and Allen Ahlberg, "Dear Mr. Blueberry" by Simon James and "To the Post Office with Mama" by Sue Farrell. Each of these books uses child-friendly text and colorful illustrations to give students a glimpse into how the entire mail system works. Songs will bring the post office theme alive, as well. Songs that can be used during a post office theme include "Mail Myself to You," "The Mailbox Poem," "I’m a Letter Carrier" and "The Mail Carrier’s Song."
Games that can be played during a post office theme include Mailman, in which children have their own mailboxes and create and send mail to one another. Mailbox Match, is similar to a classic memory game, but uses post office theme pictures such as a stamped letter, a mailbox and a mail carrier. Stock your dramatic play area with mail-related props to encourage children to play open-ended games. Props might include envelopes, postcards, stamps, boxes, duffel bag, junk mail, a mailbox, pens, pencils, paper and postal work dress-up clothes.
Art projects that can be done during a post office theme include creating a mail carrier pouch using paper, yarn and a stapler, creating a mailbox using a shoebox and other art supplies, and creating a post office from a cardboard box. Students might also enjoy writing letters to loved ones, decorating them with stickers and then learning how to address the envelopes and mail their fancy letters off. Designing postage stamps is another entertaining art project.
Students will make real-world connections to what they've learned in the classroom, if you take a field trip to a local post office. Students can see how the mail is sorted and loaded onto trucks. If it is not possible to take an out-of-school field trip, you may ask if a postal carrier can visit your school with a mail-delivery vehicle.