Postage Stamp Scavenger Hunt 

 

SOARING 
at 
LSU

SOAR
Summer
Workshop
2000 
Grade Level: 4 - 12
Author’s Name: Barbara S. Hoffman
Title of Activity: Language Arts and Social Studies 
LA State Standards: ELA-5-M1; ELA-5-H1; ELA-5-E3; ELA-5-M3; ELA-5-H3; E-1A-M7; E-1B-M2; E-1A-M6 
Summary of Exercise: Teacher will prepare by reviewing Procedure below and then will assist students as they use SOAR Set-Up 1: Touch & View (30X), to search for hidden messages (microprinting) in postage stamps. Students will use the Internet to research information on microprinting in stamps and for general information on the United States Postal Service (USPS), compiling statistical and other data.
Materials: collection of postage stamps, SOAR, Scavenger Hunt Record Sheet
Procedure:

Teacher Preparation
1. Familiarize self with stamps which have microprinting

2. Familiarize self with other web sites, to explore research possibilities for the students.

www.stamps.org : The American Philatelic Society, includes a section Just for Kids.
http://shop.usps.com: US Postal Service; See the collector's corner for stamp release dates, collecting, free publications and other information.
www.ei-ie.org/phila.htm: Select Links for lists of classroom activities with stamps.
http://collectstamps.about.com/hobbies/collect stamps/msub37print.htm: includes discussion of stamp printing processes
www.bep.treas.gov: The US Bureau of Engraving and Printing; includes discussions of printing processes for stamps and currency
www.mysticstamp.com: The Mystic Stamp Company offers inexpensive packets of canceled recent US stamps ($2.00). However there is no guarantee that microprinted stamps will be found in the packet.

3. Collect a set of stamps which have microprinted messages: your local stamp club is a probable resource.

4. Prepare a Stamp Scavenger Hunt record sheet for students to use when searching for the microprinting. Click here to view sample.

5. Prepare sample research questions for students who have difficulty developing their own.

Student Activities

1. Demonstrate for the students how SOAR Set-Up 1: Touch & View (30X), can be used to find hidden messages in the stamps.

2. Let students work individually or in teams to locate the microprinting and to complete the Stamp Scavenger Hunt record sheet. 

3. Discuss theories as to why the stamps have the microprinting feature.

4. Have students read one or more of the articles on microprinting in stamps at www.linns.com .

5. Assign independent research topics to students, or let them develop their own.

To include math and art components in the lesson, students could research questions relating to statistics about stamps such as quantities printed, values, numbers of microprint stamps by year, etc., and develop appropriate graphs. They could research art topics such as printing processes and stamp artists.
References:
Photos and Drawings: Photos show stamps with microprinting, using 1X 30X magnification. A pointer is used to show the location of the microprinting in each stamp.

 
33cent Victorian Love - (1X) 33cent Victorian Love - (30X), microprinted "love" to the right of rosebud near the top of stamp
55cent Victorian Love - (1X) 55cent Victorian Love - (30X) (split screen) 
lower left of stamp - micro-printing 
right: standard printing
32cent Klondike Gold Rush - (1X) 32cent Klondike Gold Rush - (30X) (split screen) 
left: standard printing
right: microprinted "stampeders" under legs of prospector on the left of stamp
32cent Flowering Trees Series - (1X) 32cent Flowering Trees (Pacific Dogwood) - (30X), microprinted "USPS" seen under the bluish leaf, near gray area 
32cent American Holly - (1X) 32cent American Holly - (30X), microprinted "1997" seen below leaf on left side of stamp