PARSIPPANY — A third-grade teacher in Ontario, Canada started the Flat Stanley project in 1995. The idea was to make a paper cutout of the main character from the book “Flat Stanley,” by Jeff Brown, and mail that cutout around the world, keeping a journal of where Stanley had been.
The basic principle of The Flat Stanley Project is to connect your classroom with other classrooms participating in the Project by mailing “flat” visitors, created by the children. Kids then talk about, track, and write about their flat character’s journey and adventure similar to a pen-pal activity. In addition to letter-writing skills, keeping track of Flat Stanley supports lessons in geography.
A few weeks ago Ms. Cassetta, Mrs. Tangorra and Mrs. Hackett, first grade teachers at Northvail School, introduced the Flat Stanley Project idea to theirstudents, and they were very excited to participate. They sent letters to many places in the U.S. and countries around the world including India, Germany, Sri Lanka, and Dubai to name just a few.
Every day they are receiving responses. So far they have received correspondence from Florida, Arizona, Virginia, Puerto Rico, Oregon and Texas.
