ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 1, 1996 TAG: 9602010073
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
SOURCE: JAMES T. YENCKEL THE WASHINGTON POST
A bunch of stuffed animals recently set off to see the world. I know, because I was there to wish them bon voyage.
There were big teddy bears and little teddy bears, bright green dragons and a plump Garfield the Cat. They all had at least one thing in common: Each sported a small, colorful, cloth backpack. Inside the packs were tiny diaries for recording the creatures' adventures.
When I first saw them, about 60 animals (new and not so new) sat clustered on a table awaiting their departure. In this place of honor, they made me think of a toy store bursting with goodies for the holidays. And their bon voyage party, with music and home-baked cookies and cakes, certainly was festive.
Each animal had a sponsor, one of the 60 students in the two third-grade classes at Woodburn Elementary School in Fairfax County, Va. As a class project, the youngsters in the next few days would hand their animals, called ``Travelmates,'' to a friend who was about to travel. And then the friend would pass the animal along to someone else.
In this way, the animals would travel from place to place until April, when it is time for them to be returned to the school. Everyone who is host for the traveler, if only briefly, is asked to jot down a few words in its diary. Each Travelmate wears a chain with its name and the school's address.
This is the second year Woodburn's two third-grade teachers, Susan Ortiz and Maggie Champion, have organized the project as a way to enhance social-studies lessons.
The students learn about different communities and cultures as well as geography as they track their Travelmates' progress.
Last year's effort worked so well - about 60 percent of the stuffed animals were returned on time - that the teachers decided to do it again.
One stuffed animal last year made it all the way to Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, where it visited an elementary school. The youngsters there sent photos of the Travelmate, who was named Nelson, and postcards picturing their hometown. In turn, the Woodburn third-graders replied with postcards of Washington's famous monuments.
Another Travelmate got only as far as a beach in Maryland, but it managed to send back a box of salt-water taffy. Another animal posed for photographs at the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Each student keeps a folder, which contains a journal and a map to note his animal's travels.
I was invited to speak at the send-off party about travel and writing, because the third-graders are expected to write a story about their Travelmates' adventures when they returns.
I wanted to leave the students with two messages - that travel is fun, and that it is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the world.
We all read about the shortcomings of our public schools, but at Woodburn I found myself among a group of eager, attentive students; a pair of creative teachers; and - in the background - a number of very supportive parents, some of whom had made the Travelmate backpacks.
At school the youngsters marched into the auditorium and sat on the floor in a semicircle around the table on which their Travelmates awaited.
In the background, their parents were treated to chairs. The students welcomed their visitors with a cheery song.
I told them about carrying a backpack like their Travelmates do, and keeping a diary as I traveled around the world.
I got lots of replies when I asked, ``Why do people travel?''
``To visit people,'' said one student. ``To learn,'' said a hesitant girl, who shyly raised her hand only to shoulder height.
``An excellent answer,'' I exclaimed, and her face beamed brightly. And I meant it.
``I travel mostly to learn,'' I continued. ``But learning can be a lot of fun.'' A few years ago, I told them, I took a five-day trail ride through the wilderness country of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. On that trip, I had to learn how to saddle and bridle my horse, which I'd never done before.
Initially, my horse balked when I tried to slip the bit between his teeth. But our guide, a tall cowboy, showed me how to push my fist against the side of the horse's mouth to pry it open. I demonstrated by putting my fist in my own jaw and prying it open. My audience seemed to find this very funny.
After my talk, the teachers handed out the Travelmates one by one. They were favorite toys with affectionate names that had been brought from home, and the students lined up to have individual photos taken of them and their animal.
Then they sang another song, and we all headed for a big table heaped high with cookies and cakes. Some of the class members filled their paper plates with more sweets than they could eat. I expect their Travelmates will visit places where people aren't so fortunate, and I hope they will mention this in their diaries.
Already, some of the Travelmates have begun sending back messages. In this high-tech era, two messages were dispatched via e-mail, and the third-graders read them on the computer in Woodburn's library.
One of the teddy bears had made its way to the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, and it reported that now it is carrying a souvenir campus pencil that a friendly student had placed in its backpack.
Travel is fun, I told my young audience. And I think their little buddies are in for a rollicking good time.
LENGTH: Medium: 100 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: The Washington Post. Elizabeth Booker and Brant Jeffers,by CNBboth 8, draft letters to be sent away to their "Travelmates."
color.