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All grades  Project 8 weeks

Cristina's 4th project

Cristina S
TH:Re7.K.a
TH:Cr1.K.b
D4.7.K-2
Self Directed Learning
Academic Mindset
+ 1 more
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Purpose

Through this project, students will explore and express their emotions while learning to create comforting stuffed animals for themselves and others. By engaging in hands-on activities, students will develop empathy, self-awareness, and social skills as they identify and address emotional needs. The project fosters a sense of community and encourages students to take action in supporting their peers, aligning with both artistic and social standards.

Learning goals

Students will develop the ability to identify and articulate a range of emotions, enhancing their emotional literacy. They will practice expressing emotions through dramatic play and creative activities, fostering empathy and understanding. By creating stuffed animals, students will engage in hands-on problem-solving and collaboration, learning to use feedback and reflection to guide their work. This project will strengthen their sense of community and belonging by addressing the emotional needs of themselves and their peers.
Standards
  • [National Core Arts Standards] TH:Re7.K.a - With prompting and support, express an emotional response to characters in dramatic play or a guided drama experience (e.g., process drama, story drama, creative drama).
  • [National Core Arts Standards] TH:Cr1.K.b - With prompting and support, use nonrepresentational materials to create props, puppets, and costume pieces for dramatic play or a guided drama experience (e.g., process drama, story drama, creative drama).
  • [National Council for the Social Studies] D4.7.K-2 - Identify ways to take action to help address local, regional, and global problems.
Competencies
  • Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
  • Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.

Products

Students will design and create personalized stuffed animals that reflect their emotions and provide comfort during challenging times. Each student will craft a stuffed animal for themselves and one for a Transitional Kindergarten (TK) friend, incorporating elements that symbolize feelings and emotional support. Throughout the project, students will also create emotion cards to accompany their stuffed animals, illustrating different feelings and strategies for self-regulation.

Launch

To kick off the project, host an interactive puppet show that explores various emotions through relatable characters and scenarios. After the show, engage students in a guided discussion about the feelings portrayed and how they relate to their own experiences. Encourage students to share personal stories and brainstorm ways they can help themselves and others when feeling similar emotions. This activity sets the stage for empathy and understanding, which will be crucial as they create their stuffed animals.

Exhibition

Host a "Feelings Festival" where students present their handmade stuffed animals alongside interactive stations. Each station can feature activities such as emotion charades, storytelling with the puppets, and a "feelings corner" where students share their emotional journeys and strategies for self-regulation. Invite families, teachers, and community partners like Build-a-Bear to participate and celebrate the students' achievements and emotional growth.