President Barack Obama Addresses Euclid's Youth
The third grade students at Ss. Robert & William Catholic School, under the guidance of their teacher, Ms. Lura Spinks have been learning how to write a friendly letter. A recent assignment was based on the Flat Stanley project and the results were admirable.
The Flat Stanley project is described, as follows, on their website. “The basic principle of The Flat Stanley Project is to connect your child, student or classroom with other children or classrooms participating in the Project by sending out "flat" visitors, created by the children, through the mail (or digitally, with The Flat Stanley app). Kids then talk about, track, and write about their flat character's journey and adventures. Although similar to a pen-pal activity, Flat Stanley is actually much more enriching-students don't have to wonder where to begin or what to write about. The sender and the recipient already have a mutual friend, Flat Stanley. Writing and learning becomes easier, flows naturally, and tends to be more creative. This is what teachers call an "authentic" literacy project, in that kids are inspired to write of their own passion and excitement about the project, and given the freedom to write about many things through the rubric of the Flat Stanley character.”
As part of their project, the students took Flat Stanley for a week and wrote a letter back to the class about what they did with him. The final element of this assignment was to write a letter and send Flat Stanley to a famous person. Each child was allowed to choose anyone they wanted. Some of the children wrote to actors and actresses, others wrote to athletes.
However, SRW student, David, opted to write to President Barack Obama and the President responded!
“David was quite surprised when an envelope arrived from the White House,” states Spinks. “It is so important for students to receive such positive feedback,” she continues.
The letter told about Flat Stanley’s adventures at the White House. A picture of the President and several other interesting items were included in the mailing.
As another school year comes to a close, teachers are hopeful that their lessons and projects have made an impact on their students. For this class, and especially David, it is certain that this will become one of those memorable moments.
Additional Contributor: Ms. Lura Spinks
Ellen Ivory
Director of Development and Discipleship at Ss. Robert & William Catholic Parish, Euclid Chamber of Commerce Trustee, Euclid Hospital Leadership Council, Euclid Symphony Orchestra Trustee