Hetty Hen started out as a writing project planned by the teacher of primaries 1-4 (composite class). Hetty, a travelling hen visiting Shetland, would go home with each child in turn and they would take photos of her adventures with them and then they would write a report.


It kinda grew from there. With the school's permission I posted a request for postcards on a couple of poultry websites I am a member of and sent those who pm'ed me, the school's address. Hetty got cards from all over the world. Some people even wrote their own adventures, pretending Hetty had visited them and telling the children what she had done. We got brochures, souvenirs, letters, cards, emails and even a friend of Hetty's who also wanted to visit Shetland. It was amazing and the kids loved the postman's arrival! The children then designed and wrote their own cards and sent them to another school.

During this time the older class hatched chicks as part of their project and Hetty Hen had friends in school! (The chicks came to live with me). It was a really worthwhile project that the children got a lot out of. They still talk about it sometimes. Photos are posted on the Geography thread under 'postcards'.

we have done a similar thing with Desmond dog. He travels the world with children as they go on holiday, he has his own passport and sometimes passport control can be persuaded to stamp it.

we have pictures of him all over the world including the emipire state building, the great wall of china and niagra falls.

sometimes he goes off on his own (or should I say with friends or relatives of staff) and always brings back souvenirs and postcards.