Our class participates in a Classroom Pet Exchange with Mrs. Cathy Barkowski's first grade in Wisconsin. Belle, the cow, is a wonderful stuffed animal. She brings her own backpack, a book highlighting her adventures, a favorite story book and some interesting things from Wisconsin.

In exchange, our special octopus, Ollie, travels to Wisconsin to help those students learn about New Jersey and the ocean.  Belle stays with all of our children overnight. A journal travels with her for students to record more adventures.  We learn a little about the state of Wisconsin before she returns home.

2002 Belle

Ryan:  My family met Belle today.
We all laughed and talked with her.
Belle watched me do homework,
We got her dressed in a hat and button for St. Patrick's Day.

 Additional Activities

* Collaborative Story Writing  Writing together with teacher support is highly motivating to new writers and provides a good scaffold for learning rereading/revising skills.

* Belle's Journey

* Belle and Flat Stanley - Lost at Sea

* Cheese Tasting Going Away Celebration

*   Before belle goes home to Wisconsin, we learn how cheese is made and children share a variety of cheese, crackers, and fruit.  This is the 2002 Belle. 

* Or ...  A Yummy Ice Cream Celebration Another dairy product everyone loves is ice cream!  We first learn about ice cream making and then share lots of it before Belle returns home.