Traveling by postage stamps
Special to the Outlook
Second grade students are having big adventures in the libraries at Northern and Southern elementary schools, thanks to a very flat friend.
As part of library special area class, students are participating in the Flat Stanley Project, which combines reading, writing and real-world connections, according to Tina Record, library media specialist.
Flat Stanley is a character from the book “Flat Stanley” by Jeff Brown. After becoming flat, Stanley can travel anywhere in the world by slipping into an envelope.
Inspired by this story, second-graders created their own Flat Stanley characters and sent them off on adventures near and far.
During library class, students learned about the story, talked about how mail works and discussed how writing helps us share experiences with others, Record said.
Then came the fun part — sending Flat Stanley out into the world!
Some Stanleys traveled to family members’ homes, while others visited new cities, states and even other countries, including Germany, Switzerland and Ireland.
As Flat Stanley travels, students are waiting excitedly for his/her return. When they arrive back at school, packages include pictures, letters, postcards or souvenirs showing where they have been and what they have seen.
Students proudly share their Flat Stanley stories with classmates, Record said.
The Flat Stanley Project, she said, has helped second-graders build literacy skills, learn about geography and connect with people beyond their classroom.
Most of all, it has shown students that learning can be an adventure — even if you’re only a few inches tall.
Photos courtesy of Tina Record