My 2nd graders love it!!

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My 2nd graders love it!!
By cmorgan

I read the book to them first. It takes a few days. Right after we start the book, I send a note and envelope home asking parents to write an address of a friend or relative who lives outside our area and would be willing
to participate in our project. I tell them the farther the better. I also explain the project in the letter.

Then, we discuss the project as a class and make our Flat Stanleys. I usually call them "Flat Carrie" or whatever their name is. They trace a body onto oak tag and then decorate it with crayons, markers, yarn, scrap paper, etc. to look like themselves.

We then

write a letter as a class as to what we want to say to our friends and relatives. They then will copy the letter inserting the proper names. I also include my own little letter in the envelope to add a few more details and of course when to have Flat Stanley back to us and where to send him.

When a Flat Stanley returns, the student gets to be the teacher. He sits up front and shows us his Flat Stanley, reads the letter, and shows any souveniors. We often get pictures, postcards, photo albums, pencils, or stickers. I actually got a Yankee Candle this year! Some responses are very creative and some are not.

After sharing all their stuff, we put Flat Stanley along with 1-2 items up on a bulletin board. We locate where he visited and put a pushpin in to mark the spot. Then I use string to connect the pushpin to the corresponding FS.

Hope this helps. Good Luck!