Expand the walls of your classroom and show your students the world. Take them on adventures and introduce them to new customs, cultures and students. If you are a teacher who aspires to take their students' learning to a new level, the SMARTer Kids Foundation™ invites you to participate in ImagiNations©.

 

ImagiNations is an international collaborative learning program for elementary/primary school students. The program promotes cross-cultural experiences through the travels of a toy ambassador who collects information and memorabilia to share with students at each stop of his journey. Learning is an active process, and by involving students around the world in ImagiNations©, doors are opened for learners to actively engage with their peers, examine similarities and differences, and become more knowledgeable, empathetic and respectful of others.

 

About the Program
ImagiNations provides students and teachers with the opportunity to connect with others through a traveling teddy bear. A teddy bear and journal arrives at the participating school along with any other items collected on his prior stops. Students use the journal to document his adventures in their community. Students are encouraged to interact with the teddy bear outside of school and record the details of his time with them in the journal. In doing so, the Foundation hopes to encourage children to write, and promote a motivating learning environment in which students are exposed to various viewpoints from peers of different backgrounds.

 

ImagiNations Lesson Activities

Here you will find resources to help you integrate the ImagiNations program into your curriculum.

 

ImagiNations Program Timeline

Thank you for your interest in the ImagiNations 2006-2007 program. Applications are no longer available. Applications for ImagiNations 2007-2008 will be available by May 2007.

 

ImagiNations Program Eligibility

In selecting participants for the ImagiNations program, preference will be given to applicants whose schools meet the following qualifications: Serve students between the ages of 5–12 years old; Are able to correspond in English; Have a digital camera available for use during the teddy bear’s visit to the school; and find value in students making connections with other students around the globe.

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