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In her first piece, Silvia Tolisano described a global studies program combining geography, technology, and a traveling Teddy Bear named José  at the San José Episcopal Day School in Jacksonville, Florida. In her second guest entry, Silvia explains how José's adventures inspired the creation of a Teddy Bear cross-cultural communication and education network. Who needs avatars when you have a bevy of globe-trotting teddies?

 

Out of the Travel Bear’s trips to China and Egypt another project seemed to grow naturally:

Teddy Bears around the World

The site provides a space to wander around, read and communicate with different teddy bears around the world. Our students hear about their lives and adventures in different parts of the globe. It allows them to see each other’s countries, customs and traditions through the eyes of our “teddy bears” and open their horizons to a more global perspective.

                                 

 

Each time a new Teddy Bear joins the conversation, their image is added to the “Teddies of the World Gallery” and a bookmark is placed on the “Where in the World Map.”

We love to welcome new Teddy Bears. Please consider joining with your class.

Adding a Clustr Map to the Teddy Bears Around the World blog, which logs visitors and their geographic location, has also provided a great visual and opportunity for conversations with our students.

 

Twenty-first century skills not only include being able to make connections, but also stress communication as well as collaboration. Through our Teddy Bear Project, we are seeing these skills developing in our students.

For example: The Teddy Bear “Eddy” from England asked for help:

“My class is using all of my Teddy Bear friends around the world to help them with their geography this term. They are investigating the different climates in the places you all live and the activities that your children do to compare the leisure activities that are available depending on the climate and location. If any of you are able to help we would be most grateful.”

The call for help was answered by Teddy Bears from the USA and Spain. We learned that “José” and “Eddy” both lived in a town with a river running through and the Atlantic Ocean beach nearby. The activities that are enjoyed are very similar because of the proximity of the water, but still can be culturally different.“Peppa” from Spain, we read, lives close to the Mediterranean Sea. They like to play the same sports that are played in the USA or England. Peppa and Eddy live in smaller towns, while Jose lives in a big city.

Thanks again, Silvia! If you enjoyed these two entries about José the Bear, look for the third and final post in the series next week.  

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