calling all elementary school teachers

[AmericanGirlLover2982]

I teach Universal Pre-K and use my dolls for teachng my kids are 4 years old and they are very careful with my dolls. I have already broght, Felicity, Nellie and TD Ruthie and they got a kick out of it. They were so attentive and gentle with my girls. So yes you can use them in the classroom as long as you explain the rules to them.

[prettyannamoon]

Though she's at fifth right now, my mother taught fourth grade for years. Since we live in Virginia, the colonial era and Williamsburg make up a large part of the fourth-grade social studies curriculum. This was her "excuse" for buying Felicity years ago. She brings her into class for a few weeks each year, reads the book, and ends the unit with a tea party (several of her students have brought in their own American Girl dolls to join our Lissie). Classroom Felicity is still in mint condition, unlike my much loved and played-with Samantha. I don't think mom's had any problems with the kids handling Felicity - she lets them know they need to treat the doll with respect or they can't hold her during reading time. She's said that some of the "toughest" boys who scoff at first end up wanting to hold Lissie, and are the most gentle with her.

So, if you teach a unit that could involve a doll and have no major behaviorial problems (like kids who've destroyed things for the fun of it in the past), I'd say go for it!