The Flat Stanley Project in Grade 2

 is off to a great start!

This week Grade 2 have taken the next step on their journeys in our Flat Stanley topic. They have made their own Flat Stanleys or Flat Stellas. They learnt about the text features specific to writing letters and envelopes and then applied this in their own writing; writing, editing and then typing up their letters. Very carefully, they also addressed their envelopes. We have also done a great deal of map work; locating first the TCI and then the destination of our envelopes on world maps. We found the location of all of Grade 2's 'Flats' and compared distances and talked about travel options. What a fun couple of weeks! We'll have to get them all posted off next week and then the eager anticipation of the responses will begin!  

Overview

The basic principle of The Flat Stanley Project is to connect your child, student or classroom with others around the world by sending out "flat" visitors, created by the children, through the mail. Kids then talk about, track, and write about their flat character's journey and adventures. Although similar to a pen-pal activity, Flat Stanley is actually much more enriching-students don't have to wonder where to begin or what to write about. The sender and the recipient already have a mutual friend, Flat Stanley. Writing and learning becomes easier, flows naturally, and tends to be more creative. This is what teachers call an "authentic" literacy project, in that kids are inspired to write of their own passion and excitement about the project, and given the freedom to write about many things through the rubric of the Flat Stanley character. Happy traveling!   Did you know that even Mr. Obama likes The Flat Stanley Project!