Bear Necessities

Our first graders had a blast bringing their favorite teddy bears to school for a special day of reading, learning, and bear-themed fun. With teddy bears in tow, students eagerly read stories, solved math problems, and even showed their stuffed friends how to follow classroom rules. This “Bring Your Bear to School Day” was a great way to encourage hands-on learning and make academics feel exciting and personal.

 

 

The goal of students bringing teddy bears to school was to encourage their involvement in their academics by having them do everyday classroom activities in various subjects but with their stuffed friends.

It was exciting to see kids reading to their bears or showing their bears how to solve a math problem. Kids were also teaching their stuffed animals how to do different classroom routines and procedures, showing them the quiet volume to use when reading, and reminding them to keep their hands to themselves! It's important for me that my students enjoy learning at this age, and I love being able to tie sensory/tactile learning with academics (and fun)!

First Grade Teacher Ms. Hannah Hokutt

 

But the fun didn’t end there—the bears spent the night in the classroom! When students arrived the next morning, they discovered their furry friends had gotten into all sorts of  “mischief” around the room overnight, Night At The Museum style. The class was bubbling with laughter at the sight of their shenanigans. Teddy bears were found “exploring” desks, books, and art supplies. Students excitedly found their animals but also found their friends' animals, too! It created a perfect opportunity to practice communicating in English as they discussed where the animals were and what they were up to.  Even the shyest kids opened up and participated, animated and full of laughter as they chatted with their classmates! Surprisingly, several students scolded their bears for not being on their best behavior in class and reminded them to treat the room with respect!

 

 

This simple activity brought learning to life, building confidence, language skills, and a sense of camaraderie among students. Bring Your Bear to School Day is sure to be a memory they’ll cherish for years! We are grateful for the amazing teachers at ICSB, like Ms. Hannah Hocutt, who truly go out of their way to make learning fun and impactful!