Learning with 'Flat Stanley' in Rockville Centre

First and second grade students at St. Agnes Cathedral School completed a project based on the bestselling series “Flat Stanley” by Jeff Brown this spring It all began with Jennifer Hill, a first grade teacher who told school librarian Frances Barricelli of her good idea.

In library class the students printed out their own Flat Stanleys and colored, cut and personalized them. The students took them home over their February break and came back with an abundance of pictures and papers documenting their journeys.

First grader Catherine Whang said that she enjoyed creating her very own Flat Stanley because she got to take him home and show him to all of her family and friends. She also liked bringing him on vacation to Walt Disney World.

Back at school, in library class, the students also studied the author of the series, Jeff Brown. They visited the Flat Stanley website and played games on a smart board. The children practiced reading the books on their own. Second grader Alexis Lindsay said that she found “Flat Stanley” to be a good book because she loves that he travels around the world, and she said she enjoys discovering and learning about different countries.

Eventually, the author study of Jeff Brown led to another study in which the students learned about the author of “Flyguy,” Ted Arnold.

Arnold received a Flat Stanley created by a young boy. He showed Flat Stanley around his workplace and the young reader enjoyed seeing photos of his Flat Stanley with Ted Arnold.

The teachers shared their knowledge, personalities and talents with their interested students. The project enhanced research and reading skills, but more importantly, it enabled students to discover that learning can start in the classroom, and as it did with the Flat Stanley character, it can soar beyond their wildest dreams.