Embark with your students on a wild adventure to the continent of Africa! Pull ideas, activities, and inspiration from the teaching guide below.

About the Book

Ever since Stanley was flattened by a bulletin board, he has been able to do things that no one else can. In Flat Stanley’s sixth adventure, he tires of being the only flat boy he knows, so he rushes to Africa seeking a newly discovered flat skull—the possible missing link between flat creatures and regular ones. Joined by his brother, Arthur, and his father, Flat Stanley braves Nairobi crowds and lions of the savannah. He discovers the many surprising dangers and wonders of being flat, as well as the importance of having a pesky brother around.

Comprehension and Discussion Questions

• Why does Flat Stanley want to see the flat skull? Do you think he has a good reason for wanting to see it? Explain your answer.
• Describe the many things Flat Stanley observes in Nairobi. How is this African city similar to and different from American cities you’ve visited? Would you like to visit it? Why or why not?
• What major geographic features does Flat Stanley see while flying over Africa? Which of these would you most like to see? Why? What geographic features would you like to see anywhere in the world, and why?
• What animals does Flat Stanley view on his trip? What does he think of them and why? What animals would you travel many miles to see? Explain why you’d travel so far to see them.
• At the end of the story, why do Arthur and Mr. Lambchop tell Flat Stanley they’re glad he’s flat? If you were part of their family, would you agree or disagree? Why?

Extension Activities

• Worldwide Adventures Scrapbook.Help your class list all the items in this story that remind Flat Stanley of his past adventures. Also, select one item that might remind him of this adventure. Create representations (drawings, paintings, collages, etc.) of the items, along with labels that explain the locations they remind Flat Stanley of. Using these, help your class create an Awesome Worldwide Adventures Scrapbook for Flat Stanley. Display your fabulous creation for all to appreciate.

• Intrepid Traveler Maps. On pages 27–33, Flat Stanley travels from Nairobi, Kenya, to Tanzania. Use an atlas to show your students this area of Africa. Then assist them in crafting their own electronic or paper maps of this location. Be sure they include important geographic features like Mount Kilimanjaro. Also, help them find an eye-catching way to mark Flat Stanley’s trip, like red sparkles, miniature Flat Stanleys—or any way they dream up! Display their Intrepid Traveler Maps or include them in your class newsletter.

• Incredible Idioms Mobile. Mr. Lambchop tells Flat Stanley and Arthur they are “up a creek without a paddle” on page 63. Using this expression as an example, define “idiom” and help your students think up a list of idioms. Then take all the idiomatic phrases and write them on note cards with their meanings. Have students decorate the cards, and create a stunning mobile. Hang your Incredible Idioms Mobile in a place of honor.

• Amazing African Animals Diorama. With your class, list all the animals Flat Stanley encounters on his trip to Africa. Help your class collect information about these animals and their natural habitats. Have students draw, sculpt, or in some other way create the animals and habitats, and craft snazzy fact-filled labels for each animal and environment. With the animals, habitats, and labels, construct an Amazing African Animals Diorama for other classes to view and enjoy.

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Teaching guide prepared by Laura Williams McCaffrey, a library consultant and children’s book author, East Montpelier, Vermont.