Where in the World Have We Been?

Our third graders read Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown.  We talked about what we would do and where we would go if we were flat.  I showed them some of the adventures of Flat Stanley that other students were able to witness.  The students decided to make flat versions of themselves, using the Cricut Everyday Paper Doll cartridge.  The students named the paper dolls after themselves. We had Flat Danny, Flat Amy, Flat Joey, etc.  They turned out so cute.

Playing With Paper Dolls

Flat Friends

Some students were able to get addresses of family members or friends.  We found addresses for some famous people. I also enlisted the help of some of my family and friends for the students who did not get addresses.   

This Flat Friend visited the White House.

We all got treats from Sweden.

The President told students that reading, writing, and math are important in his job and in other jobs.  He encouraged them to be curious and learn as much as they can.  We were thrilled to get a sealed letter from the President.

A friend of mine who lives in Sweden, sent our Flat Friend back in a big box along with postcards, flags, candy, chocolate, kronor, and other souvenirs. She also emailed me a slide show.  We learned that the students learn English in elementary school.  We also learned that a krona is equal to 15 cents.  Each student got a krona, some candy and chocolate.  I wanted to keep the chocolate for myself.  Our Flat Friend was not dressed for the weather in Sweden, so my friend made her a scarf.  Next year, we will choose our destination and then dress the paper dolls for the climate.

Some other places that our Flat Friends have been are; California, Arizona, Charlotte, NC (Home of the Carolina Panthers), Texas, Georgia, and Japan.  My friend in California took our Flat Friend to some exciting places. We got maps, brochures, and tons of pictures from California. He even got a chance to meet a Flat Stanley.  My sister took a Flat Friend with her to a real estate convention in Arizona.  He was very popular at the convention.  He was photographed with a group of super heroes and some "Things".  There was a request for our Flat Friend to start his own blog.  Another Flat Friend went to visit Cam Newton in Charlotte.  He returned with a letter, an autographed picture, and a fan card.  Our Friend who visited Japan, came back with postcards.  Our Friends who visited Texas and Georgia came back with pictures and post cards. We are still waiting for a few friends to return from West Virginia, Florida, Charlotte, and Belgium. I will be taking two Flat Friends with me to Disney World.

We will make a scrapbook after all of our Flat Friends return, and have a chance to be displayed. 

...For President

I've been so busy with school and my new duties as a media coordinator, but I've had fun with the election lessons.  For the K-2 classes, I read My Teacher for President by Kay Winters and Vote For Me! All About Civics by Kirsten Hall.  For the 3-5 classes, I read Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio and Vote by Eileen Christelow. 

Citizenship is the Character Ed Word for the Month

 

Before reading My Teacher for President, I asked the students what they thought the President does.  "He runs people out of the country."  "No! No! He runs in the country."  "He gives us gas." "He tells jokes."  

I love my job. <3  

Then I asked them why their teacher would be a good President.  The first four reasons on the chart below, were generated before I read the book to some 2nd graders. My favorite; "She's bossy."   The teachers loved seeing what their students thought of them.  After reading Vote for Me!..., to a class that tattles on each other all the time, I had them tell something nice about another student in their class.  I paired students so they would have to say something nice about someone they fight with all the time.  The smiles and attitudes were priceless.

My Teacher for President

The next day I read a "Pete the Cat" book and a "Pigeon" book to refresh the students' memory about the characters.  Then they voted for which character they wanted for President.  The kindergarten ballot had a picture of each character.  After voting they got a sticker that read, "I Voted". 

Kindergartners Vote for Pete the Cat or Pigeon

 I listen to the news on tv in mornings while getting ready for work.  One morning they were trying to explain electoral votes.  I was still confused.  Grace for President explained it so that I could understand it. My plan to have students research the number of electoral votes that NC has was ruined in one class, when a student noticed the illustration of the map with the numbers on it.

While two students at a time voted for Greg Heffley or Junie B. Jones, the other students watched Word Girl: A Vote for Becky.  They made connections between the book and the video.  It was interesting to see what connections each class was able to make.  Every class was able to connect the most obvious similarities, but they surprised me with their higher order thinking. 

5th Graders Vote for Greg Heffley or Junie B. Jones

The next day, I read Vote and we had some serious discussions about the history of voting and the voting process.  One fifth grade class made the observation that if we lived 130 years ago, nobody in one fifth grade class would be able to vote.  Only two students in that class would have been able to vote.  Although two other students looked like they would have been able to vote, one student pointed out that he would not have been able to vote because he is biracial.  Another student's last name would have kept him from voting.  I explained that's why every American should vote. They were surprised that the laws ("back then") would have prevented them from voting.  I hope that our discussion will come back to these students when they turn eighteen.

I Voted!