My appreciation of and affection for stuffed animals has spilled over into my classroom … with an unexpected result.  It all started several years ago when my Algebra 1A/1B students gave me a Build-a-Bear at the end of our second year together.  The bear is wearing a scout uniform and Birkenstocks with socks and is carrying a planner, pencil, and book bag.  My students knew me rather well.  Since then the collection has grown to include two pandas and an alpaca … each of which has its own story.

Now instead of just collecting dust sitting on the sideboard, they are playing a crucial role in my students’ well-being … especially on quiz and test day.

Yes, we have comfort pandas in Mrs. Dittrich’s classroom!  One student even brought her own.  Imani is holding her stuffed wolf, Astro.  If this trend continues, it will be all out panda-monium in my classroom!

It may appear somewhat childish to clutch a stuffed animal in a stressful situation.  But there are so many demands placed on our students and they are growing up so fast, I believe that a little reversion to the simpler things is appropriate … and often necessary.