The Teddy Bear Project

Language:

English

Grade/Age:

Primary (5-11), Middle (12-14), Secondary (15-18)

Subject:

Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM)

Global Goals:

4. Quality Education, 16: Peace and Justice, Strong Institutions

Dates:

September 2024 – June 2025

Facilitator(s):

Kathleen Wong, kywong1@seattleschools.org
Rasagnya Puppala

Project Description:

Sharing cultures through a visiting soft toy.Through the exchange of a bear or other soft toy, students create journal entries to share with their partner class. The students write diary messages as if they are the visiting bear describing its experiences in the new culture. Some of the experiences included lessons learned in school, a visit home with each student, social events, meals and class activities. The student work is shared on a weekly basis with the partner class. Throughout the school year students are eager to find out what their bear is doing in the visiting country.

When is the project most active?

Beginning of the school year

Length of time to complete project:

Instructional time required for project:

less than 1 hour per week

Facilitator country:

United States, Japan

Project Phases:

Start of school year: build anticipation by choosing name of bear/soft toy, creating a persona (e.g. passport), introduce sponsoring country in journal or accompanying materials, mail bear/soft toy
Share teddy bear adventures in host country digitally or in hard copy journal
Close exchange by returning ambassador teddy bear or having teddy bear immigrate to host country. Send any hard copy materials.