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Walking bears

Suitable for reception class children (EYFS) and Key Stage 1. Supports the English and PE curriculum.

Overview

Programme

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Education phase

Early years Key stage 1

Categories of activity

Travel

Types of activity

Walking

How it helps

  • Supports the English and PE curriculum
  • Increases awareness of local environment

About the activity

The walking bears activity introduces road safety messages and encourages children to think about how they travel to school.

Children take turns to have the walking bear for a night over the course of a school term. They then draw a picture or write about their journey in the walking bear journal and share their story with the class. Ask parents/carers to share a photo of their child and the walking bear to contribute to your class’ walking bear gallery.

If your pupils enjoy this activity, you could also try weekend walkies.

What you'll need

  • Teddy bears (you could ask for donations from staff, parents/carers or local businesses)
  • A wall chart to show who is taking the bear home when
  • Enough journal sheets for all your pupils

 

Activity steps

Step 1

Get bear prepared! Find a bear to go on the adventures. This could be a class mascot, a donated toy or a child's own.

Step 2

Launch the activity. Introduce the walking bear to your class and explain what they need to do. Ask them to think about what they see on their journey to school and how they stay safe

Step 3

Share the fun. Tell your story. Upload your evidence to "my activities". Each time a pupil brings the walking bear back, ask them to draw or write about their journey on a journal sheet and share their experience with the class

Step 4

Tell your story. Upload your evidence to "my activities".