In 1995 the internet was in its infancy. I was teaching grade 3 for the first time and, when I couldn't find a motivating literacy activity on the web, I decided to create one. The Flat Stanley book was written in 1964 by Jeff Brown and was almost out of print when I special-ordered my copy. Stanley wanted to visit his friend in California so his parents folded him up, put him in an envelope, and mailed him there.
I used that concept to create the Flat Stanley Project and my students loved it.
I used that concept to create the Flat Stanley Project and my students loved it.
In the very first year of the Flat Stanley Project there were 13 participants- 6 from Canada and 7 from the USA. I considered it a success and wondered what I was going to try the next year. Over the summer, many teachers contacted me asking to be put on the list in September, so I decided to extend it one more year. That was 28 years ago. I have been maintaining the site since then as an uncompensated volunteer and the number of participants has extended into the millions.
The Flat Stanley Project has become a success thanks to the kindness of the recipients, the dedication of creative teachers, and the enthusiasm of participating children worldwide. Thank you for your support.
The Flat Stanley Project has become a success thanks to the kindness of the recipients, the dedication of creative teachers, and the enthusiasm of participating children worldwide. Thank you for your support.
Dale Hubert
London, Ontario, Canada
London, Ontario, Canada
Recent years
Dale Hubert, creator of the Flat Stanley Project, many years ago in the streets of Europe with Barry and Brian.
After 32 years in the classroom, I retired from teaching to pursue other interests. I wrote The Tale of the Third Bear and released it for the iPad and developed a couple of iPad apps.
In recent years I have begun building guitars, banjo lutes, ukuleles and dulcimers as a luthier at Talking Dog Guitars. In a way it’s a return to an earlier life when I supported myself as a street singer throughout Europe and in the subways of Toronto.
In recent years I have begun building guitars, banjo lutes, ukuleles and dulcimers as a luthier at Talking Dog Guitars. In a way it’s a return to an earlier life when I supported myself as a street singer throughout Europe and in the subways of Toronto.
About Dale Hubert