Select a stuffed animal to send home with the students weekly. Think of a catchy name such as Marbles the Monkey or Freddie the Frog.
Prepare a bound journal to send home with the animal. Using a desktop publishing program, write up a description about the project and when the journal is expected to be returned to class. Inform parents the purpose of the journal is to follow the adventures of the class pet through stories and pictures. Encourage parents to work with their children coming up with fun ideas and activities to write about. Print, cut and tape this information to the front cover of the journal for parents' reference.
Place the animal and journal in a basket. Introduce the concept to the class, displaying the animal, basket and journal. Select a student to send the mascot home with and remind them when to return it.
Upon return of the mascot, have the student share their adventures with the class. The journal should include pictures and anecdotes about their weekend.