What is meant by the expression, "Universal Ambassador"? One definition of ambassador, according to Dictionary.com, is a diplomatic official of the highest rank as it relates to governments and the state. Another definition is an authorized messenger or representative. In the case of educating with traveling teddy bears, the later definition works perfectly: the teddy bears represent the highest level of authorized messengers for sending reports back to the classroom with their findings and experiences as they journey with their traveling companions throughout the school year and throughout the world. Because everyone loves and understands teddy bears, the term, "universal" is used to signify how important and all encompassing these soft plush toys are in the hearts of people.
When the traveling teddy bears program was in its development, it was important to find a smallish soft plush toy that could easily be carried or transported from place to place. It was also important to find a toy that everyone could identify with, and be drawn towards, in order to make this classroom project more relevant to the learners. It was suggested that a symbol of Canada, such as the beaver, be used. (The beaver appears as a symbol on the 5cent coin). Every country has its identifiable coin, flags, flowers, birds, and animals, but the teddy bear is recognized by everyone. Hence, its universality. So, it was determined that the teddy bear would be the authorized messenger to bring back information to the students in the classroom. And so, the traveling teddy bear as the universal ambassador was born into the program.
How can a universal ambassador help with education? Often the teddy bears cannot speak for themselves about their many adventures. Rather, they require human input to provide the information that is sent back to the students in the classroom. To accomplish this, the traveling companion writes in the journal and on postcards from the perspective of the teddy bear. This information is returned via regular post, or via email. What usually happens is that the human companion views the world through the teddy bear's eyes and relates that information to the student at an age appropriate level. Doing it this way, students read the print on the postcards to their classmates, and experience the adventures throughout the year. Teachers integrate the information into the subject specific curriculum, and without the students being aware, they are learning.
Thinking about "universal" as it relates to the school as a whole, an interesting situation occurred during this program. Namely, other grade levels had the opportunity to get involved with this project in a very direct way. Over a couple of years, intermediate grade students (Grades 7 and 8), assisted with this project by providing artwork for the year end presentations of the teddy bear travels. They were asked to create the flags for the countries visited by these universal ambassadors, for display on the gymnasium walls during the year end assemblies and evening display. Not only were the intermediate teachers able to use their students' artwork for evaluative purposes, it provided for a community within the school. Other universal features of this program included: a) involvement of parents and the school administration to co-ordinate and help the students create lap quilt blocks for their teddy bears; b) patronizing of the community's retail stores for donations; and c) the purchase of project specific supplies (invitations, writing paper) for inclusion in the curriculum.
Educating with traveling teddy bears as the universal ambassadors, opens up a world of excitement, learning, and community involvement. Since teddy bears are a recognized commodity throughout the world, it is not hard to understand why students, parents, teachers and grandparents love to participate in a project that enhances the learning process, while engaging the community in learning.
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