This lesson was designed as a way for students to learn about other cultures by conducting research while connecting with students around the world. Students will improve their writing and reading skills by participating in iEARN’s The Teddy Bear Project. “This project aims to foster tolerance and understanding of cultures other than your own. After teachers register, the facilitator matches you with a partner class. Once paired, classes send each other a Teddy Bear or other soft toy by airmail through the normal postal system.  The bear sends home diary messages by email or through the iEARN Teddy Bear Forum at least once a week. The students write the diary messages as if they are the visiting bear describing its experiences in the new culture.” The essential question for this lesson is How are people and places alike and different? 

I chose iEARN’s Teddy Bear Project because I thought it was a really fun activity that would allow my students to connect with students around the world and get to know them on a personal basis. Simply by exchanging teddy bears, my students would have to think about their own culture to find a bear that represents our way of life and we could analyze the bear that was sent to us to grasp their culture. I also liked the idea of writing weekly emails to our partner country because it would allow my students to get to know their class on a personal level. I also liked the idea of going through iEARN because I felt safer connecting with another classroom knowing that they made a safe match.

This lesson is considered global awareness because my students will be learning about students from another part of the world and they will be learning about us. My hope is that the class will form a long-time bond with the partner class and we will continue to communicate globally as the years go on.

**Side Note - I accidentally left this as a comment vs. a discussion thread so I wanted to re-post

Views: 49

Replies to This Discussion

Hi Kelley! This is a great project to introduce students to other cultures and involving Teddy Bears makes it fun! Our school systems need to continue to foster tolerance and expose students to different cultures since our country is such a "melting pot". You mention that this project assists with reading and writing skills, you can also use it to demonstrate proper netiquette. I like the idea that the students will form life long friendships.

Hi Kelley, The fact that the students have their own teddy bear as a memento is a great idea. It's concrete item that students can use to connect with their new email pal. I assume that since you're exchanging bears that the student population is younger. The sooner we get students started with communicating on email, the better. Of course there is always internet safety that is a concern, but you said that it was a safe avenue that you were using.  Good luck. 

RSS

Report

Win at School

Commercial Policy

If you are representing a commercial entity, please see the specific guidelines on your participation.

Badge

Loading…

Follow

Awards:

© 2024   Created by Steve Hargadon.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service