Jeff Brown's "Flat Stanley"-Flat vs. Round Characters in Writing--Lesson Plan!

$10.00

I’m guessing we can all agree there are some things we don’t like FLAT: tires, carbonated beverages, pancakes, and pillows. (Those last two should be a little fluffy, right?) And, WORST of ALL for WRITERS: the CHARACTERS in our stories…. We do not want them to appear FLAT. We want to create multi-dimensional, complex, interesting CHARACTERS. CHARACTERS who experience conflict and change (and perhaps grow) from the conflict. The only FLAT CHARACTER we all seem to embrace is … yes, you guessed it … FLAT STANLEY! Everyone LOVES him, right? (I’m guessing your students do!)

It seems odd. Doesn’t it? How has a FLAT CHARACTER captured imaginations since 1964? (I think in part it is the humor of Stanley Lampchop’s parents and their FLAT [indifferent] reaction to their son’s new ‘flat-state-of-being’ that elevates this book series to ‘classic status.’) These thoughts led me to my ‘epiphany’ moment: FLAT STANLEY would make a great mentor-text for a writing lesson on CHARACTERS—particularly, FLAT vs. ROUND CHARACTERS!

In this Fearless Dragon Writers, LLC Lesson Plan (created by writer and writing teacher Andrea Felcone), you will find a FULLY SCRIPTED lesson plan to teach about FLAT VS. ROUND CHARACTERS IN WRITING using Jeff Brown’s “Flat Stanley” series. (I used the original picture book as a mentor text.) This is a fun lesson effective for teaching young writers (ages 8 – 13), especially reluctant writers! P.S. This would be a fun lesson to teach after teaching about PERSONIFICATION, as Flat Stanley is (in some ways) the opposite of that! (A boy who, essentially, turns into a piece of cardboard! Fun!)

This lesson plan contains—19 pages of tested content—including Teaching Tips, Techniques, and a Fearless Dragon Writers' Writing Worksheet (filled with creative and humorous prompts) to inspire writers—even reluctant writers! Also important for this lesson, and included here, is a CHARACTER SHEET for students to start to develop ROUND CHARACTERS by including DETAILS. Writing Concepts covered: FLAT VS. ROUND CHARACTERS in writing.

*This lesson was designed for 8 - 13-year-olds. There is content here to teach for 90 minutes. (You can edit to fit your class length as needed.)

To purchase, simply CLICK ON “ADD TO CART” button. After CHECKOUT you will receive a LINK to DOWNLOAD this LESSON PLAN. (Download as soon as possible after receiving the link to ensure link stays active. Thank you!)


I’m guessing we can all agree there are some things we don’t like FLAT: tires, carbonated beverages, pancakes, and pillows. (Those last two should be a little fluffy, right?) And, WORST of ALL for WRITERS: the CHARACTERS in our stories…. We do not want them to appear FLAT. We want to create multi-dimensional, complex, interesting CHARACTERS. CHARACTERS who experience conflict and change (and perhaps grow) from the conflict. The only FLAT CHARACTER we all seem to embrace is … yes, you guessed it … FLAT STANLEY! Everyone LOVES him, right? (I’m guessing your students do!)

It seems odd. Doesn’t it? How has a FLAT CHARACTER captured imaginations since 1964? (I think in part it is the humor of Stanley Lampchop’s parents and their FLAT [indifferent] reaction to their son’s new ‘flat-state-of-being’ that elevates this book series to ‘classic status.’) These thoughts led me to my ‘epiphany’ moment: FLAT STANLEY would make a great mentor-text for a writing lesson on CHARACTERS—particularly, FLAT vs. ROUND CHARACTERS!

In this Fearless Dragon Writers, LLC Lesson Plan (created by writer and writing teacher Andrea Felcone), you will find a FULLY SCRIPTED lesson plan to teach about FLAT VS. ROUND CHARACTERS IN WRITING using Jeff Brown’s “Flat Stanley” series. (I used the original picture book as a mentor text.) This is a fun lesson effective for teaching young writers (ages 8 – 13), especially reluctant writers! P.S. This would be a fun lesson to teach after teaching about PERSONIFICATION, as Flat Stanley is (in some ways) the opposite of that! (A boy who, essentially, turns into a piece of cardboard! Fun!)

This lesson plan contains—19 pages of tested content—including Teaching Tips, Techniques, and a Fearless Dragon Writers' Writing Worksheet (filled with creative and humorous prompts) to inspire writers—even reluctant writers! Also important for this lesson, and included here, is a CHARACTER SHEET for students to start to develop ROUND CHARACTERS by including DETAILS. Writing Concepts covered: FLAT VS. ROUND CHARACTERS in writing.

*This lesson was designed for 8 - 13-year-olds. There is content here to teach for 90 minutes. (You can edit to fit your class length as needed.)

To purchase, simply CLICK ON “ADD TO CART” button. After CHECKOUT you will receive a LINK to DOWNLOAD this LESSON PLAN. (Download as soon as possible after receiving the link to ensure link stays active. Thank you!)


This Fearless Dragon Writers, LLC Lesson Plan includes:

* The Structure, Introduction, and Ground Rules of a Fearless Dragon Writers, LLC writing lesson. The goal: To make writing FUN for your students!

* Details on how to teach the featured Mentor-Text/Read Aloud: “Flat Stanley” in relation to the Writing Concept: FLAT VS. ROUND CHARACTERS in writing! Including a unique way to introduce this lesson! As well as Author Fun-Facts to share with your class! And an idea for a FUN Giveaway to add to this lesson: 3-D movie glasses!

* Fearless Dragon Writers, LLC Writing Worksheet: A Student-handout filled with humorous and thoughtful Writing Prompts! Including an ACTIVITY SHEET: “My Very Own Flat Stanley” for your students to create their own Flat Stanley! As well as a CHARACTER SHEET to create ROUND CHARACTERS. (The Activity SHEET and CHARACTER SHEET can be used as pre-writing warm-ups OR for students who finish writing early.)

* Comic Strip Storyboards — and how to use them. (A very handy tool for reluctant writers!)

* Sharing Work Aloud: Ways to Encourage and Support Your Students.

* Recommended Writing Games — to increase the fun!

* Bonus Content: Ideas that tie into the Flat Stanley theme!

* A List of all Materials Needed to make this lesson a success! Including the book, “Flat Stanley” by Jeff Brown. (This is an Amazon Affiliate Link. Fearless Dragon Writers, LLC earns a small commission on qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support!)