Teddy Bear Traveler

Each student is given a teddy bear complete with a backpack. Inside the backpack, each student is to place: a letter explaining the project, enough postage to return the bear by mail and a note card with the student’s name and school address.

And just what is the project? The object is to see whose teddy bear can travel the farthest by a predetermined date. The student gives the bear to an individual. Each individual who accepts the bear must be willing to send a postcard from the place or places that he or she takes the bear so the student can track the whereabouts of his or her bear. (It would be nice to allow students to use the internet to research these areas as well). If the individual is unwilling to participate, he or she should not accept the bear. The individual then gives the bear to another individual and the cycle continues. When the final date arrives, the last person who possesses the bear is asked to send the bear back to the student. The student then finishes a “travel” map showing the distance and whereabouts his or her bear traveled. I would also ask that each student write a short commentary on the areas that the bear has traveled. It would be more exciting for the student if this was done as the bear traveled. Some bears may end up in cold Alaska, some may end up in the South Caribbean, and some may end up staying in the same state …

My mother-in-law recently accepted a bear. She was excited! She had planned a trip to the South Caribbean and the bear was going with her and my father-in-law. She found postcards from each of the islands on her vacation and sent them to the 6th grade student. On her return she knew of a friend who was driving to Florida and then going on a Cruise from Key West to the Bahamas. I’m not sure where the bear went to next, but I do know that an excited little girl will be the recipient of some “faraway” postcards.

Yes, this sounds like a Geography lesson, but English goes hand-in-hand with every subject. The postcards and letter explaining the project prove that the project could not have been done without clear, written communication. Not only do the students have fun, but so do the individuals who are lucky enough to enjoy a few days with the teddy bear!

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