This is an interactive activity which addresses various outcomes of the Language Arts curriculum and uniquely engages the children in a one-on-one relationship with Paulette Bourgeois' character, Franklin the Turtle.  The children absolutely love this activity, and anxiously wait for Franklin to visit their own homes for a sleepover.

Each day one child takes home Franklin (you can purchase a 15" stuffed Franklin doll in most toy departments and over the internet), along with the writing journal.  In the evening, the child writes about his/her sleepover visit with Franklin, from Franklin's point of view.  The following day, that child reads the journal entry to the class.  Each day is a new and exciting adventure for Franklin, which often involves experiencing new cultures, traditions, games, food etc.  It is also quite common for Franklin to return to school sporting a new outfit, or with a special treat to share.
	Journal entries ranged from one to four pages in length.  Here are a excerpts from each of the students' Journal entries.  Remember, these are from "Franklin's" point of view.
Caitlynn S:	"Last night I went to Caitlynn's house, and she let me help her read The 'Trumpet of the Swan' and boy that was a great book.  I clapped when she finished her piano lessons, and then she showed off her tap and Jazz steps.  I even learned some cool steps.  I met Robbie, Caitlynn's little brother, and her Mommy and Daddy.  They were very loveable.  I enjoyed my lovely visit to her home."
Chelsea B.	"When I first got to Chelsea's, I got a hug from Amanda (Chelsea's oldest sister, who is very pretty).  I watched Franklin with Chelsea, and then we played a game of Life on the computer with Breanne (Chelsea's other big sister, who is also very pretty)."  "I had the best dinner ever.  I had ribs and salad.  We had a very healthy dessert.  We got to have a fruit dish."  "I had such a good time."
Alyssa B.	"When I got to the B's home, Mrs. B gave me a kiss and Jordie (Alyssa's little brother) gave me a hug.  Mr. B said "Hey Bud!"   When Alyssa went to swimming class, I ate flies and had a nap.  On Saturday night, Alyssa gave me my own bed to sleep in.  I had fun visiting the B's home."
Braden O.	"Just when I got to Braden's house, Rhiannon (Braden's incredibly cute big sister) hugged and kissed me for 5 hours.  I watched Braden and Rhiannon do their homework, then we built a puzzle.  I wanted to play the game of Life, but Rhiannon left it at her friend's.  Then we went to bed.  We played a game the next morning and then we went to school.  I had a nice time."
Connor B.	"I'm going to help Connor study his words for the Spell-a-thon test.  I bet I'll give Connor good luck!  We went for a walk with Taylor (Connor's big brother),  Cierra (his big sister) and Cosmo (His dog).  We had a treat for supper, Wendy's!  I've never had fast food before.  It was good.  I watched Connor's Dad build a room in the basement, while his Mom helped.  Boy! This is a busy family.  We  had a bedtime snack, a story and then we fell asleep.  I love you Connor!"
Meghan D.	"When I arrived at the door Mrs. D, Deanne (Meghan's sweet big sister) and Meghan all gave me a big hug.  At supper I got to sit high on the back of Meghan's chair until I got knocked over.  Then we got to go to Meghan's Awana class at her church.  I liked playing in the gym, too.  After Awana I went home with Meghan and had a night-time snack.  Lots of fun."
Dana D.	"First, I met Zoe (her cute-as-a-button little sister) and then Mr. D and Mrs. D.  Dana showed me to her room.  She has many toys and story books.  We had corn for supper.  It was delicious.  I drew some pictures with Zoe and watched Dana do her spelling.  Time to brush our teeth and get ready for bed!  I got to sleep with Dana and Zoe.  I had a great time."
James P.	"James's mom gave me a hug and a kiss and said, "Welcome to our home, Franklin".  James took me to his room and showed me around the house.  At supper time we had a variety of foods.  Later we rushed to the hospital to visit James's new cousin.  She is a cute little baby girl, not even an hour old.  Later in the weekend, Mr. and Mrs. P took us to the Harry Potter movie.  We were a bit scared, but we enjoyed it!  It was a very good weekend with James's family."
Christina S.	"I went to Christina's house on a very snowy spring day.  I met Christina's best friend "Bunny".  I met Christina's parents.  They fed me crackers with jam for supper. We played together and we read a story and watched golf on TV. Christina has lots of things to do."
Horge de P.	"I had a lot of fun in the de P's house and I watched TV with Blanca (his darling little sister) and Jorge.  I saw Jorge's Bionicles and helped Jorge with his studies.  We practiced his spelling words.  Mrs. de P. read a book to us and then I went to bed in Jorge's bed.  I had a lot of fun with Jorge's family."
Aaron E.	"Today, I went to Aaron's house.  Firstly, Aaron and I read some books.  then, Aaron's dad made supper.  After supper, we played some computer games.  Later, we went to play with some of Aaron's friends.  It was getting late, so we had to come back and get ready for bed.  I had lots of fun with Aaron."
Kathy F.	"On the way to Kathy's house, we had a snowball thrown at us.  We escaped and went to Kathy's friend's house.  We had lunch there.  After lunch, we did some crafts with the babysitter.  I was supposed to go to sparks with Kathy.  I was very afraid to go so I hid under a pillow on the couch.  Nobody could find me so I had a nap while everyone was gone.  When I woke up in the morning I met Kathy's mom.  We helped Kathy with her spelling words.  I had a great time and made lots of good friends."
Xania G.	"On Saturday morning, I met Xania's Mom and Dad and John (her handsome big brother).  I played Playstation with John and after that I met a new friend named "Bear".  We slept in Xania's bedroom.  On Sunday, me and Xania woke up at 9:30 in the morning.  Xania fixed herself food and we ate our breakfast.  We are very happy in Xania's house.  On Sunday evening, we ate our dinner at the Bejing-Bejing restaurant because it was Xania's grandma's birthday.  We enjoyed it very much."
Madison K.	"I was scared at first when we entered Madison's house because Rosie and Jazz are very, very large dogs.  I met Kyra (her awesome big sister).  We went to Madison's room and played house with her Barbies.  Madison introduced me to her Mom and Dad and we went to the kitchen to make dinner.  After dinner, Madison had to do her homework.  I helped her make sentences out of her spelling words.  Madison's Mom tucked us into bed.  I had a great time."
Steven K.	"When I got to Steven's home, we had some fresh strawberries for a snack.  Steven's Dad took us to Beavers and we saw a real police helicopter.  Then we watched a movie of a police chase.  The policeman showed us how the camera, spotlight and rotor work.  We sure learned a lot and Steven and I had a great time."
Amanda R.	"Last night Amanda took me to her house and got to meet her sisters.  Carolina (her lovely big sister) gave me a big hug and swung me around.  Amanda's little baby sister just looked at me an smiled.  I also met Amanda's mom and dad.  They were very nice to me.  Later that night I got to go to Amanda's soccer practice.  We went home and read and went to bed.  Amanda's house was fun."
Emily R.	"When I got to the R's house, I met Emily's parents and then Emily's mom gave me a big juicy kiss.  We went inside and had macaroni and cheese for supper.  Mmm, mmm, mmm, it was delicious. Just before supper, I helped Emily and her mom plant seeds for their vegetable garden.  We planted carrots, corn, lettuce and some watermelon.  While we were in the garden, I caught 8 flies - yummy!  We enjoyed some snacks that Emily's Papa brought.  He is visiting from Newfoundland".
Pablo V.	"Today I got to visit Pablo's house.  When I got there, Pablo's parents and his sister were caught by surprise and they were very happy to see me.  Later, Mr. Vadon played seek and hide with us and we enjoyed it very much. Maria (his wonderful little sister) invited me to play with her Barbies in her room.  After supper we watched the Spiderman movie and we went to bed.   I slept in Pablo's room.  I  had a good time.  I really enjoyed it to stay in Pablo's house."
Nicholas V.	"Last night it went home with Nicholas and visited his family.  I met his sister, Erynn.  She was cute.  During supper, Nicholas' mom pulled out his loose tooth!  After supper we watched the hockey playoffs.  Toronto won the game 3-1.  Nicholas showed me his 3 fish and his frog.  I got to sleep with Nicholas and the tooth fairy visited him while we were sleeping.  I had a nice time."
Kaila P.	"We watched 3rd Rock from the Sun on TV and then Kaila kissed me.  I was surprised.  I watched Kaila do her homework.  When she was done, we brushed our teeth and we went to bed.  In the morning, we had Cheese Whiz toast and we went on the school bus."
Alana N.	"Today I went to Alana's house and we went to her friend Christina's after school.  Alana had to go to karate class, so I stayed at her house with her nice family.  When she came back, we read about all of the adventures I have had so far going to other houses with the Grade One class. I had a nice visit at Alana's house."
		This web page has been contributed by Mrs. Ewasiuk's Grade 1A class  Mary Hanley Catholic Elementary school. A special thanks to Corinne Osada for her unwavering commitment to our class.