Flat Stanley and First Grade Expereince (2010-2011-in review)

Good-Bye Flat Stanley---we enojoyed the trip and learning through all your adventures!

First Grade Flat Stanley Project:

Flat Stanley returned home this year with many exciting adventures to share, lessons to learn, and new lands to explore. Our Stanleys visited five continents - North America (26 states in the U.S., Mexico and Jamaica); Asia (Iraq and Afghanistan); Africa (Mauritania); Europe (Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Budapest, Amsterdam, and the Netherlands); and Australia.

picture (left to right);

front row:  Adrian Robinson, Chayden Wright, Tyhler Kolpin, Hannah Ehrp, Jessica Loera, Anais Najera, Summer Wendt, Ross Mentzer

middle row:  Justin Constancio, Connor Naberhaus, Dani Kron, LaRena Gardea, Logan Pickhinke, Haylie Troxel, Abby Wandrey, Jayden Constancio. Juli De Lao

back row:  Christian Bendixen, Parker Currie, Brody Deitering, Earnie Clayton, Haley McClellan, Katie Pickhinke, John Schmitt, Ally Saltsman, Adrianna Kretlow, Ian Shepherd

Oh the Places we traveled this year with Flat Stanley.....check out the pictures and read on to learn more about our year.

Stanley learned about Australian money

Stanley visited the space center at the Smithsonian Institute

Stanley visited Smokey the Bear

First Graders travel the world 

with Flat Stanley

American schools are becoming increasingly diverse.  Today, more than ever, we are a global community.  Through the Flat Stanley project, children gain a broader appreciation and understanding of geography and diverse cultures throughout the world.

Who is Flat Stanley?

Flat Stanley is a character from the story Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown. In the story, Stanley Lambchop, the main character, wakes o morning to find himself squashed flat by a bulletin board that falls on him during the night.  Stanley has many adventures in the story.  During one of his adventures, he travels to visit friends in California.  Howebeing flat, Stanley takes a very unconventional mode of transportation—his parents mail him in a big brown envelope.  The first grade students have taken this adventure one step farther.

School/home connection

Each first grader designs his/her own Flat Stanley.  Then, with parent/guardian help, students mail their Flat Stanley (along with a journal) in a brown envelope to visit friends all over the world.  Parents are not only encouraged to assist in mailing Flat Stanley, but also to help their child decide where (and whom) Flat Stanley should visit. 

Host family involvement

Flat Stanley’s host families have gone to great lengths to help our first graders experience different parts of the United States as well as different parts of the world. The hosts are encouraged to also keep a journal of Stanley’s adventures and send any pictures that they may take.  Some hosts have returned Stanley with gifts, treats, and souvenirs.  Most importantly, we hope that each host family has fun with Stanley.  We have had amazing support from both the student’s families as well as Stanley’s host families.

How do students benefit from this project?

This project brings a story to life for the children.  Through Stanley’s journals and pictures our first graders are allowed to envision Stanley’s experiences as he visits host families.  In addition, students feel a sense of pride when responses to their Flat Stanley return to the classroom.

  Mrs. Robin Parkhurst

  1^st Grade Teacher

Mr. Kwikkel takes Flat Stanley to Budapest, Hungary and Amsterdam, Netherlands...to read more click here
 

Anais Najera

Anais’ Stanley stayed with relatives in Deming, New Mexico.  New Mexico has a rich heritage of Indian, Anglo, and Hispanic cultures residing in the state.  Anais’ family sent Stanley home in a spectacular Native American costume.  Stanley had fun on the family’s farm – feeding chickens, goats, and their big bull (who loved to try to lick Stanley).  Last, the Najera family took Stanley to Mexico (Puerto Palomas, Mexico) for a day and introduced him to the sights and sounds of our neighbor to the south.  On their return to the United States they ran into a bit of a snag when a border patrol officer questioned them about taking pictures near the United States border. Everything turned out fine, and Stanley was happy that they didn’t ask him for his passport.  Stanley enjoyed his time in the Land of Enchantment.  Thank you for the wonderful pictures that returned with Stanley, and for the awesome costume he wore home.

Ian Shepherd

Stanley arrived in San Francisco, California at the home of Chris Muller in early February.  Mr. Mueller took Stanley on many adventures – skiing and snowshoeing at Lake Tahoe, a bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge, investigating old military bunkers, a dip in the Pacific Ocean, and to see a forest of enormous redwood trees.  Stanley thought elves were going to pop out from behind the redwood trees at any moment.  Chris introduced him to many new foods and traditions, and Stanley came home a well fed boy.  He had his first Morroccan meal – rice, chick-peas, lamb, salad, pita bread and yogurt.  And on February 10^th they celebrated the Chinese New Year.  The Chinese tradition is to eat lots of fish. Stanley tried – scallops, sea bass, shark, salmon, and lobster.  They also ate duck and pigeon meat.  Although Stanley tried to be polite, he had a difficult time stomaching the pigeon meat.  Thank you for sharing life in San Francisco with the First Graders.

Hannah Ehrp

Hannah’s Stanley visited her great aunt and uncle and their two grandsons (Caden and Tyson).  Stanley spent a lot of time with the little boys, and he loved the attention they gave him - playing with toys on the floor, watching Saturday morning cartoons, sitting with Tyson on his grandpa’s lap, and going to school with Hannah’s great aunt while she substitute taught in a computer classroom.  Thank you for taking care of Stanley and sharing your home with the first graders.

Katie Pickhinke

Jonathon and Taya (Nook) Carley of Perth, Australia hosted Katie’s Stanley.  Stanley had an awesome time in Australia.  He saw Tana and Jono’s (short for Jonathon) new house.  Taya said that all the houses are made of brick, not wood, because termites in Australia destroy wooden structures.  Stanley saw so many things - cars driving on the left hand side of the road (with steering wheels on the right hand side of the car) – e-e-e-k!  He saw catamarans in the water, and jellyfish (jellys as they call them in Australia) swimming in a river.  On Valentines day Jono served Taya and Stanley a wonderful meal.  The Carley’s are busy people, Taya works night duty at a hospital and is studying to get her Masters in Health management.  Jono has an important job working at a busy accounting firm.   Before coming home Stanley visited Murdoch University.  He couldn’t leave without saying hi to Tana’s mom and dad – Dr. Brian and Dr. Deb Nook.  They teach students at the university about the human body and prepare them to become Chiropractors.  Tana and Jono taught us a lot about life in Australia and sent back many souveniers, pamphlets, and photos to further enhance our knowledge.  They even sent a yummy chocolate bar for each child in the classroom. J  Thank you for sharing life down under with the First Graders of Schaller.

Connor Naberhaus

Connor’s Stanley visited family friends in New Orleans, Louisiana.  While there, he rode a street car, saw floats from the Mardi Gras parades (there were 54 parades this year), visited the Mississippi River and spotted huge barges that transport supplies up and down the Mighty Mississippi and out to the ocean to other countries.  Stanley enjoyed the amazing seafood and Cajun cooking in New Orleans.

Anais Najera

Marla de la Cruz from Madill, Oklahoma hosted Anias’ Flat Stanley.  Stanley enjoyed going to work with Mrs. Cruz, picking up pecans and looking for deer at a ranch, and also going to church. One day it snowed in Oklahoma, so school got called off— a rare event in the Sooner State.  They spent that day eating and cooking. Thank you for sharing Oklahoma with Stanley and the kids in Iowa.

Ross Mentzer

Ross’ Stanley visited Wes, Jill and Kale Manson, and Pat Carstensen in Hawaii.  Stanley returned with many, many beautiful pictures of Hawaii, some new clothes for himself, and a tan.  He witnessed a rare sight at the Ko’Olina beach – a very large seal lying on the sand. The seal wasn’t sick but was sleeping and soaking up some rays from the sun. Stanley enjoyed the island’s sights – tropical plants in a garden located in a volcanic cone’s ash center, he also saw fascinating trees - one tree had branches that grew downward and re-connected to the ground as the trees roots.  Another was called the “cannon ball” tree because a fruit grows on it that looks like cannon balls.  The Manson family sent a keychain back for every child in the classroom. How thoughtful!  Thank you for taking care of Stanley, the key chains, and the wonderful pictures of Hawaii.  

Juli De Lao

Julie’s Stanley visited her aunt Brandy and 2 year old Cousin Jaidyn in Fredonia, North Dakota (population - 75).  Jaidyn gave Stanley lots of attention – he tried to feed Stanley his mashed potatoes, gave him tastes of his birthday cake, and played with Stanley in the bath tub.  However, Stanley got a bit frightened when Jaiden dropped him in the snow and threw him into the sink.  Brandy took good care of Stanley and rescued him whenever Jaidyn did things that two-year-olds like to do.  Thank you for taking care of Stanley and for your funny journal - the first graders loved to hear the antics of a two-year- old.

Adrian Robinson

Stanley visited Adrian’s family friends in Waco, Texas.  They took Stanley to Baylor University – home of the Baylor Bears.  The campus has two live bears living there, named Joy and Lady. While at the University, Stanley saw a women’s college basketball game.  The team is ranked #1 in the nation (one team member is 6’8” tall). Stanley also checked out Waco’s suspension bridge, where many people like to exercise by walking across the bridge.  Before returning home he visited the Dr. Pepper Museum.  What great fun it is to hear about Waco, Texas.

Jessica Loera

Jessica’s Stanley stayed with the Loera Iturraude family at their home in Brewster, Minnesota.  Mrs. Loera taught Stanley how to cook lots of yummy meals.  Her husband, Raul, took Stanley to work and showed Stanley how chickens are raised and eggs are exported out of town, as well how they are shipped as to different stores in their town.   Jessica’s aunt and uncle also took Stanley to a mall where he saw some baby animals: a kangaroo, lions, and tigers, to name a few.  Thank you Loera Iturraude family for sharing your fun adventures with the classroom from the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes!

Dani Kron

Brent and Deb Hendriks of Storm Lake, Iowa took Dani’s Stanley on their Jamaican vacation.  They stayed on a beautiful island location in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.  While there, Stanley snorkeled and saw many schools of colorful fish.  He also climbed the Dunn River Falls, which is about 900 feet of rocks and water.  Way to go, Stanley!  He played in the stunning aquamarine ocean water, and enjoyed lounging in the hammocks.  Stanley even met a pet salamander while climbing a palm tree.   Students thought the picture of Stanley with the salamander was so cool!   Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Hendriks, for sharing Jamaica with us.  

                                                                                                                                        

Summer Wendt

Summer’s Uncle, Tony Avery, of Ridge Centennial, Colorado, hosted Summer’s Stanley.  Tony introduced Stanley to his semi-pro soccer team – The Golden Strikers.   He even made Stanley a couple of soccer outfits to wear.  While in Colorado, Stanley enjoyed attending several soccer games, an NHL hockey game, skiing in Vail, Colorado and running the Red Rocks amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado. In fact, Tony took Stanley running every other day, so Stanley returned to us in excellent physical shape.  Thank you for the cool pictures of Stanley’s Colorado adventure!

                    Hailey Tripp

Hailey’s Aunt Christine took Stanley to Europe.  Stanley visited many different countries and sites while there:  Castles in Germany, Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, Big Ben in London, England, and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.  He floated down the canals of Venice in a gondola, and saw the Mediterranean Sea while in Lido, Italy.  Your pictures were awesome – thank you for sharing your trip to Europe with Stanley and the pictures with the classroom.

  

                                                                       Brody Deitering

Brody’s Stanley visited the Rye family (Rachel, Luke, Macy and Camdyn) in Holmen, Wisconsin.  Stanley had lots of fun with the kids – Macy and Camdyn, and he enjoyed going to the Mayo Clinic where Rachel works as a radiation therapist.  Stanley had a check-up and CT scan completed while at the cancer center.  They said he’s a healthy boy but maybe a little on the slender side.  Rachel sent a color book, colors, and a magnetic clip for every student in the classroom.  The first graders were so excited to receive their gifts – thank you Rye family! 

La Rena  Gardea

Stanley vacationed in Mexico with La Rena’s aunt.  The trip started with an exciting jet ride- he even got his picture taken with the captain.  Stanley did many things while in Mexico:  He relaxed at the beach, swam in the ocean, shopped the Mexican markets, and tried lots of new and different foods.  Stanley brought back some Mexican money called pesos for the students to compare to American money.

Logan Pickhinke

Logan’s Stanley visited DeAnn and Steve Allen in Falls Church, Virginia.  DeAnn and Steve took Stanley to Washington D.C. to see the sites in our nation’s historic capitol. Stanley especially enjoyed the Smithsonian Museums of American History and Natural History.  He saw the slippers wore in The Wizard of Oz, President Lincoln’s top hat, the original Kermit the Frog at the Museum of American History.  He saw many dinosaur bones, rain forest flowers and the huge Hope Diamond at the Museum of Natural History.  Then, at the National Air and Space Museum, Stanley saw the Apollo lunar module and Gemini IV space capsule.  At the Air and Space Museum, Stanley also saw The Spirit of St. Louis, and the plane flown by Charles Lindbergh on the first non-stop flight from New York to Paris in 1927.   While in Washington, Stanley learned that the Washington Monument is the world’s tallest stone structure.  Stanley returned with a Washington, D.C. postcard for everyone in the classroom.  Thank you Allen family for the postcards, and for taking us to this historical wonderland and sharing this country’s rich past.  Stanley loved the experience and can’t wait to go back to Washington!

John Schmitt
John’s Stanley visited Cathy Christman’s farm in Bronson, Iowa.  Stanley met Cathy’s animals – two dogs, two horses, and seven Black Angus cows while on the farm.  He loved taking rides on the cows and sitting on the fence to watch them eat.  Stanley learned that chores can be fun.  He rode a a 4-wheeler while helping with chores around the farm.  Thank you Cathy for taking care of Stanley and showing him how much fun life on a farm can be! 

                                           

 Juli De Lao

Juli ‘s Stanley visited her Grandma Yolanda Guerra in Sioux City, Ia.  Yolanda took Stanley on many visits to friends’ and relatives’ homes.  Stanley enjoyed all the yummy things Yolanda made for him during his stay (she thought he needed “beefed up” since he’s a bit on the thin side).   Thank you, Yolanda, for introducing Stanley to all your friends and family and feeding him well. 

Ross Mentzer

Ross’s Stanley traveled to Aurelia, Iowa to visit Lisa, a family friend.  Lisa took Stanley to work with her in Cherokee and to an Alta-Aurelia basketball game where Stanley met Kate, a cheerleader, who agreed to pose for a picture with him.  Stanley is pretty sure that he found a girlfriend!  He also journeyed to Des Moines with Lisa to the showing of Riverdance and was amazed at how fast those people could move their feet!

Abby Wandrey and Brody Deitering

Faye and Gary Deitering (Brody’s grandparents) and Clyde and Mary Kaye Wandry (Abby’s grandparents) took Brody and Abby’s Stanleys on their vacation tour of the Southeast United States.  Stanley visited seven different states with them – Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi.  He saw the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri and toured Graceland (the home of Elvis Presley) in Memphis, Tennessee.  His trip carried him to Atlanta Stone Mountain in Georgia (this is the South’s version of Mount Rushmore) and on to Florida’s beautiful white sand beaches.  While in the Florida Everglades he got a little too close for comfort when posing for a picture near an alligator.  Thank you for sharing your vacation with us and Stanley.  We enjoyed hearing about the wonderful places in the South and seeing the pictures that both sets of grandparents sent to the classroom to.

 

         Connor Naberhaus

Connor’s Stanley stayed with the Colenbrander family in San  Francisco, California.  During his visit, Stanley went to elementary school with Amadeus and Anthony Colenbrander, and to middle school with Mrs. Colenbrander where she teaches ELL students.  He met twin Flat Stanleys at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco and enjoyed a drive across the Golden Gate Bridge.  Thank you Colenbrander Family for showing Stanley such great fun!

                     Parker Currie

Parker’s Stanley journeyed  to Virginia Beach, Virginia. He visited Parker’s aunt, uncle and cousins.  While in Virginia Beach, he saw the Blue Angels and F-14 aircrafts at a naval air station, bamboo at the Miyazaki Japanese Garden, and the Atlantic Ocean. Thank you for sharing Virginia with Stanley and the classroom.

                   

   Jessica Loera

Jessica’s Stanley met many family friends in Houston Texas while staying with the Iminez Iracheta family.   Stanley really enjoyed his trip to the Lone Star State!  Thank you for sharing your home with Stanley.