One of our first grade classes read the book Flat Stanley by Jim Brown. They sent paper Flat Stanleys to relatives and friends around the country and received images and stories back.
Paper Flat Stanley
Then, inspired by the “worldwide” success” of the “other first grade class'” podcast episode of the Magic Tree House, the six year olds wanted to create their own recording.
As a class their brainstormed with their teacher a storyline so every one of them could have a segment in the recording. It came natural to them that they wanted to be flattened by their SmartBoard and be mailed around the world.
As their homework assignment, they were to pick a location of their choosing and to borrow a book from the library about that location. They could also use the internet to research their destination. Together with their parents they read the book and wrote a short script that needed to include:
- The location (City, State, Country, and/or Continent)
- How did they get there (transportation)?
- What did they do at that location?
- How did they get back home?
They were also given the reminder that
This is an audio recording, so the children need to think about the senses and sound effects they can use to help portray the mood. How did it feel to be mailed? how did it sound and smell at the places. What did they see?
Recording with Garageband
Take a listen and follow these first graders to London (England), Antarctica, Alabama (USA), Space, Israel, Tokyo (Japan), North Pole, Illinois (USA), New York (USA), Hollywood (USA) and Michigan (USA).
Please take the time to let these six year olds know where you are from by leaving a comment. Having a worldwide audience does matter!
[audio:http://langwitches.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/1st-grade-Flat-Stanley.mp3]
What great reading expression! I loved listening to your Flat Stanley adventures. It’s such a great book. You may be interested in checking out our Flat Stanley blog made by 3rd graders at my school: http://abbotflatstanley.edublogs.org . We’d love to have comments! 🙂
Great, I am totally inspired to try this at my school.
St. John’s, NL, Canada
Oops… forgot to tell you where I was from…
Westford, Massachusetts!
What a great idea, wonderful creativity, and terrific reading and writing skills! When you read with such expression, it makes your ideas so fun to listen to. I love the detail about being hot in the envelope on the way to Tokyo, Japan. You made me want sushi, too! I don’t want to wear sumo diapers, though 😉 Did you know that sumo wrestlers eat between 6,000 and 20,000 calories a day and skip breakfast?
Well done!!
.-= Steve Ransom´s last blog ..Federal Doublespeak =-.
Great job! I really enjoyed listening to your podcast. Everyone spoke very clearly and used expression in their voices. This made your podcast interesting and easy to listen to. I have never read the Flat Stanley story, but I will now.
Seaforth, Ontario, Canada.
You all did a wonderful job with this podcast! I think your reading is exceptional especially with your enthusiasm and expression! You kept my attention the whole time! I enjoyed listening to your travels!
Thank you very much for an interesting journey around the world. I am from the county of Kent, in the United Kingdom, which is right next to London, and I thought that your description of London was really good! Thank you for making such a fantastic podcast – well done!
Caroline Roche, School Librarian, Kent, United Kingdom
Boys and girls, you did a great job! I learned a lot of new facts about places that are far, far, away from me! I live in Sellersville, Pennsylvania. Did you know that George Washington hid the Liberty Bell in this town during the Revolutionary War in 1776? Thanks for sharing!
Boys and girls,Thank you for a wonderfull story.
I live in the Netherlands in a small town called Markelo.
Thanks for sharing!
Ina Beltman Markelo the Netherlands
You are the best Flat Class I ever listened to.
Thanks for the wonderful story.
Elke, The Netherlands
.-= elke´s last blog ..leren plannen =-.
Guys,
You are awesome!
All the best from Istanbul, Turkey 🙂
.-= Anita Kwiatkowska´s last blog ..Seven Common Deadly Sins of EFL teachers =-.
love flat stanley from when i was a kid, my 5year old son loved listening to your story too. brilliant story,well done guys.
What a great project! Everyone did a wonderful job on their Flat stories!
I’m from Lisle, Illinois – just outside Chicago.
Dear Students & Teacher,
You have amazed me once again. You are doing some phenomenal work and your reading fluency is spectacular! You sound like you could be on TV!
Flat Jeremy, you came the closest to where I live. I live in Huntington Beach, CA which has the nickname of “Surf City, USA.” Flat Evan, you visited where I used to live. Ice fishing is a lot of fun!
To all of the flat children, I really enjoyed listening to your travels and cannot wait to find out what your next project will be.
In awe,
Julie Niles Petersen
.-= Julie Niles Petersen´s last blog ..What do you think about these videos about Dolch word lists posted by @cobida & @MultiTier? http://bit.ly/5tPn4F & http://bit.ly/7hSOpJ =-.
You are definitely the best travelled Flat Class in the world! I live in London and could picture Jasmine visiting all the sights in my home city. I thought everyone else had exciting adventures too!
I love the story Flat Stanley and read it when I was a little girl (many years ago!). I have recently read it with my daughter who loves it too. I really enjoyed re-reading it as a grown-up and we read the Flat Stanley sequels too – maybe you could find one in the library if you enjoyed the book.
Thanks for sharing your great podcast!
What a fantastic project! Can’t wait to let my students hear about your travels. We like to podcast too . I hope you won’t mind if we borrow your idea. Last term we visited lots of countries on our magic carpet and presented out work in Photostory 3. Keep up the good work and thank you for sharing.
Lots of hugs winging their way to you from Ireland.
I enjoyed listening to your podcast and learned so much about the places that were visited. Great sound effects!
Marybell Rodriguez, tech teacher, Monterrey, Mexico
I really enjoyed your podcast. All of the students did a wonderful job.
I have never used a podcast in my classroom, but your podcast has inspired me. I currently teach fourth grade and I plan to use a podcast. I teach reading, writing, and social studies. Some of my students are not motivated in social studies so I believe if I allow my students to create a podcast it will encourage them to learn the material. We are beginning to study United States government. I plan to allow my students to work in groups to present different branches of government using a podcast. Does anyone have any suggestions or advice?
I appreciate your input.
Ashley Young
Fantastic Job!
I am a teacher in Mildura, Victoria, Australia. I had never heard of Flat Stanley until a few years back when a friend from The sTates sent her sons “Flat TYler” over – we took him to some Aussie places http://flattylerdownunder.blogspot.com/
Again, good job!!
Hello from Tioman Island, Malaysia,
I live in Singapore but am vacationing here. I came on a propeller plane but you can also take a long ferry ride instead.
Thank you for your interesting podcast! I enjoyed learning from you.
.-= Susan Sedro´s last blog ..A Bit of Toast for My Substitute Teacher =-.
What a fantastic podcast! Your reading voices are so clear and full of expression – well done! I’m very impressed. I just want to know, how come none of you chose to go to Australia? That’s where I’m writing from. We’re on summer holidays at the moment (January) and the weather is perfect! Ah well, maybe next time! 🙂 Well done guys!
.-= Richard Lambert´s last blog ..The death of traditional spelling? Woohoo! =-.
What great readers! I have flown with Flat Stanley several years ago.
Keep up the great work.
From New Hope, Pennsylvania
Hi, I am from New Mexico and I totally enjoyed your podcast!
AWESOME! I am so impressed by your 1st grade Flat Stanley project. Your reading and speaking skills are so easy to hear and understand. I’m glad you all had a good trip and got back home safely.
I teach 4th graders in New Orleans.
.-= Paula Naugle´s last blog ..Merry Christmas to My Students and Me =-.
I had so much fun listening to your voices on the podcast! You used LOTS of expression when you were telling your story. I liked the way you used the sound effects too. I could imagine all of the places that you were describing. Thank you for sharing your podcast with the rest of the planet! Great job!
.-= Lorraine Leo´s last blog ..January 3, 2010 =-.
Beautiful recording. So expressive. How did you come up with the script? Did your class work together on the story you would tell? The pieces fit together wonderfully.
Great podcasts!
Greetings from my 7th grade science class in St. Louis, Missouri…if Flat Stanley came to St. Louis he would probably visit the Arch and Busch Stadium (home to the Cardinals)!
WOW! What a great job to all of you. I love your voices and the story. Thank you for sharing this with all of us!
I live in Red Deer Alberta, Canada.
Fantastic job! Thanks so much for taking me along on your adventures!
I live in Sleepy Eye, MN
This is awesome! You all did an outstanding job with your reading expression. Keep up the great work!
Chris from Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Great reading Grade ones. I loved your story. If you came to Port Elizabeth here in South Africa you would be able to go to the beach. We are enjoying hot days this week. Our schools open for the new school year next Wednesday.
Your reading was amazing! It made me want to run right out to the library and read Flat Stanley again! Most of all, I enjoyed listening to your travel adventures! The decriptions were so detailed I could imagine myself traveling to those places, myself! I learned so much about far away places like Israel, Tokyo, and even SPACE TRAVEL!!! Nice Job Readers and Authors!
I loved the creativity of all the students, the sound effects and the places they went to, especially the time travel to Chicago where I am originally from. 🙂 I am now teaching in Dhaka, Bangladesh and can’t wait to share this podcast with the students at my school. Thanks for making such a professional story!
WOWWWW. I’m amazed with the students’ creativity and reading. BIG CONGRATSSSS for all the wonderful Flat Stanley’s versions and the also creative teacher. Maybe, someday, a Flat Stanley can come to my country too. I am from Brasilia, Brazil. Thanks for sharing this brilliant idea!!!
Cya
Good job students! I loved your podcast. I am a education major at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama. Emily, you did a great job describing Alabama.
Awesome job! I loved listening to you podcast! I am listening to you in Utica, New York!
I am very impressed by your Flat Stanley Podcast. It is creative and you read beautifully. Thanks. I’m in Utica, New York.
This is a fantastic podcast! You must have worked very hard on it. I am from Port Elliot, South Australia and I am sure there would be some 6 year olds here who would love to show you flat kids around. Well done!
Lisa here, from Alabama.
I am a student at the University of South Alabama. I am taking the EDM310 class there, where I was given a link to this blog. WOW! is all I have to say. I was blown away by the creativity of these children! I hope they realize that they are inspiring! Bravo!
I love this idea for Flat Stanley!! This is really a fabulous way to be globally connected.