Second Grade: Using needles and thread to make new friends!

The second grade tradition of making hand-sewn teddy bears is “off and stuffing.”  This is a wonderful way to begin the year as we get to know the children and their families. Over the last week, the second graders put their final stitches into their new friends. The teddy bear project was first introduced to the students while reading the book The Teddy Bear Tree, written by Barbara Dillon. This story is about a little girl by the name of Bertine who plants the eye to her teddy bear, which ends up sprouting a tree that grows 10 teddy bears. During the story, the bears end up getting Bertine into trouble because they are not getting enough love and attention. In the end Bertine learns that it is much more fun and fulfilling if she ends up sharing her bears with her friends.

Once the teddy bear tree started to spout in the story, the making of our very own teddy Bbears did as well. The process began with the students choosing the color felt they wanted to use to make their bears. Then came the job of tracing and cutting the bear shape and the ever-important job of choosing the perfect buttons for the eyes and nose. 

Throughout the week, family members joined us to help with the sewing and stuffing of our bears. Many conversations were had between the children and adults about possible names and adventures they will have with their new stuffed friends.

Last weekend, the bears went on their very first adventure. The students took their bear home with them where they recorded their adventures they had together in words and pictures. This will lead to a more extensive writing project over the next week. In art class, the children have begun to use the woodworking benches to build furniture for their bear. When completed, the bears and their hand-made furniture will be on display outside the library. Please feel free to ask us about the adventures we went on with our bears!