Need help with preschool project

[Linda/NE]

I am working on lesson plans for February and I want to do a theme on mailing letters and include simple geography.

The general plan is to tell the children that a small stuffed dinosaur I have wants to go on vacation but doesn't have any way to travel except by mail. We would mail him off to friends in another state and then they would send it on to other friends.

I would like to compile a list of people interested in receiving and sending on the dinosaur. This list (with addresses) would be sent so each 'friend' would know where to send it next. We would include a journal that each group of friends would record/write what the dinosaur did. The accompanying letter would ask the recipient to take the dinosaur on fun adventures like visiting a museum, a park, a school, etc. and it would suggest sending a post card back to us where the dinosaur would tell us what he's been up to. The letter would also give emailing information if the friends would be able to email pictures back to us of his adventures. We would hope to have the dinosaur back to us by the beginning of May so the children could hear all about his adventures and mark his journey on a map.

If anyone would be interested in participating please email me at mz5@theideabox.com before Feb 2,2005. All contact information would solely be used for the purpose of sending in on to the next recipient.

TIA,
Linda/NE

[vea29]

That is a great Idea!!!!!!!!!


I'll think it over...but I think I could join in on this. I think it would be cool if I took the dino to my daycare....Took Pictures with the kids etc.

Ok I think I made my dicission...count me in....LOL

[Marla]

Linda, it sounds really cute. My kids did something similar to this in school minus the mailing. In kindergarden the teacher had a Winnie the Pooh which each child got to take home for 2 days. The child (with the help of the parent) had to keep a journal of Winnie's funfilled days with them. The kids loved the experience of taking Winnie to many wonderful places, making him his favourite snacks, and preparing a special place to sleep.

Not sure if you want the dinosaur to travel all the way to Canada, but if you do, I'd help you out. Let me know

[Diane]

My dck's would just LOVE to have your dinosaur visit us. Count me in. I'll e-mail you my information.

Diane...

[littlesista06]

That sounds very fun, Linda!! I already do something similar with my Browine troop. We host a mascot for a month at a time and it spends time @ each girl's home. I'm afraid it'd just a little too much for us to keep up with two at some point.

I also really like what Marla added, about the 'friend' visiting the houses.

We are going to be doing a Valentine mailing with our 4 yr. olds. You use thier thumbprint to make a heart shape on a regular postcard. Turn it over, and write "Thumbody loves you" and they write their name. We'll mail them a few days before Val. day to their parents. They will love to see the mail they made.

[AnnW]

That sounds like Flat Stanley! My dd's flat stanley went to Amy's house and on the move to NY with them! LOL

[vea29]

That sounds like Flat Stanley! My dd's flat stanley went to Amy's house and on the move to NY with them! LOL

I heard about flat stanley on oprah one day....that's cool!

[Linda/NE]

Linda, it sounds really cute. My kids did something similar to this in school minus the mailing. In kindergarden the teacher had a Winnie the Pooh which each child got to take home for 2 days. The child (with the help of the parent) had to keep a journal of Winnie's funfilled days with them. The kids loved the experience of taking Winnie to many wonderful places, making him his favourite snacks, and preparing a special place to sleep.

Not sure if you want the dinosaur to travel all the way to Canada, but if you do, I'd help you out. Let me know

My oldest boys had a bunny that visited everyone's houses and kept a journal. I wanted to focus on the mailing aspect with the hope that 1. the children would receive postcards in the mail at the preschool; 2. The children would get a better understanding of the other parts of the country. and 3. The children would see how different (and the same) other kids are.

Wow that would be neat to travel to Canada. Do you know what kinds of special restrictions there might be on what can be mailed? Do you have any ideas on postal rates? I'll do some checking on it and get back to you.

[darlene]

If you want him to have a cross Canada trip, he can come to Manitoba too! It can go from Marla to me....maybe Rhonda would like to have him too...then he can really be across Canada!

Shouldn't be a problem to ship him here....just find the smallest package that you can so it will be inexpensive.

[AnnW]

Here's the info on Flat Stanley. All you need is a legal sized envelope.

http://flatstanley.enoreo.on.ca/

[Linda/NE]

Marla and Darlene,
that would be so great if we could send him to you. if you're still interested please email addy info. Thanks!!
mz5@theideabox.com