Goodrich – Sending a class of fourth-graders around the world isn’t possible in most schools.
But for a class of Goodrich fourth-graders, sending a paper pal on a whirlwind adventure has been nearly as educational.
The idea springs from author Jeff Brown’s ‘Flat Stanley? book series, in which a paper-thin boy travels via envelope to visit an out-of-state friend.
Oaktree students in Marlyce Bryant’s class took up scissors to cut out a Stanley-style friend, sending him on a first-class adventure visiting relatives around the world.
First-class mail, that is.
In the past two years since Bryant started the assignment, the students have shipped their paper pals off to the far corners of the U.S., as well as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, the Great Wall of China, Albania, and Alaska.
Hospitable relatives report back on the visitor, sending photos of the traveler riding four-wheelers, visiting the doctor, checking out Grandpa’s workshop, going to the park, and playing miniature golf.
Students also received e-mails about the little guy’s adventures.
Judith Greenley, proud grandmother of fourth-grader Lindsay Frost, added her own creative touch to the concept by creating a book journaling her visitor’s adventures from Oct. 25 to Nov. 1.
The book details his reluctance’at first’to hang out with senior citizens.
‘He could picture the whole vacation: a sea of gray hair, senior citizens, walkers and canes, smelly Ben Gay linament.
Shuffleboard.
Bingo.
Oh, how he was dreading this whole idea.
Soon the traveler got used to the idea, reported Greenley, socializing with local cheerleaders, even joining the homecoming court for a front-pagephoto.
The story ends happily, of course, with the paper pals pinned securely onto a bulletin board near Bryant’s classroom mapping out their travels.While the assignment has helped students creatively grasp reading, writing, and geography concepts, it’s also helped them learn the importance of communicating with their families.
And the meaning of ‘Handle with care.?