We're Going on a Bear Hunt

We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Helen Oxenbury

This book is a favorite at our house and with good reason. With the rhythm, repetition, and adventure the descriptions and sound effects capture imagination and have a memorable text to act out again and again in outdoor play.
When we started up after a break I asked my son which book he wanted to do first and he came running in with this one saying "Lets get the bear!" and so our adventure began...

Materials you will need this week: 

Scissors, Glue, Pot, Spoon, 2 water bottles, pudding/jello/yogurt in a small container, broom, printables linked below, stuffed animal, chair, scarves or small blankets/dish clothes, basket or bowl, outdoor gear, and check out the link to the optional art project for supplies needed there.

Day 1: Sound Effects

Skills: Listening, Narrative, Audible perception

Read through the story once slowly enjoying the rhythm of the text. Ask your child if they would like to go on a bear hunt? How would they feel if they found one? What do you think the bear wanted when he followed them home? Do they like the feel of mud between their toes? Do they think it will snow soon? Or any other questions that come to mind to start a conversation about the book and get them practicing narration skills.

Read through it a 2nd time using the sound effects found at: Reading Confetti (We didn't have jello so we used yogurt instead, we also didn't have soda bottles and a cup worked okay too.)

Day 2: Sequencing

Skills: Sequencing, cutting, gluing (fine motor skills)

Read through the book again. Talk about how first they had to go through the grass then.... Once they found the bear they had to head back! Firs through the cave then.... have them name the steps the best they can then do one of the many great sequencing options found at teachers pay teachers when you look up "We're going on a bear hunt".
Since my older child is into maps lately and has been drawn into this book study with us we decided to go with a map of the bear hunt. To be honest it seemed like a little much for my 3 year old though so a few days later we tried basic sequencing cards with pictures from the book and had much more success.

Day 3: Prepositional Words

Skills: Prepositional words, following directions, imaginative play, narrative skills.

After reading through the story again we imagined that the bear just wanted to play then took a stuffed bear and pretended the step stool was his cave. (You can use any chair for this exercise) He hid inside it walked around it, looked behind it, climbed over it as we sang "The bear went over a mountain" Then we put him in a basket and pretended to float down the river. He walked through the "river" of scarves and was tucked into bed. As we played I tried to use as many of the prepositional words as I could think of or ask him "Where is the bear now?" or "Lets put the bear beside his boat?" Changing the preposition to see which ones he knows and which ones we can still work on. This lesson took the longest but was the most fun. He loved playing with me and I loved taking the time to play with him which I don't often get to do with my middle child!

Day 4: Hike

Skills: Gross motor skills, Sensory play, Exploration (confidence building), Memory, Rythmn

Go on a Hike! This is a fun one to invite friends along for too. Every time you reach something you come across in the story recite that part of the book with the kids. "...Oh no! A forest, a deep dark forest, we can't go over it, we can't go under it..." As them what could make them stumble and trip. When you come across mud feel it squish beneath your feet. When you come across a creek, listen to the sounds of splashing. Ask them what would they do if it snowed? See how fast they can swish the grass. Look into a knoll in a tree or under some rocks and imagine how dark a cave could be. How would they light the way? Just go at a pace slow enough to stop and smell the sage brush and explore with all your senses. When walking to another part of the trail saying part of the story can they march in rythm? Stop for snacks and read the story again.

Optional Day 5: Art

Skills: Fine motor skills, sensory play, expression

Seriously how cute is this craft? You can find instructions over at One mom and a Blog but what I like about it is that it really is sensorial and brings the story to life by continuing to explore textures. Be sure to enjoy the book one more time after you've made the craft and touch each texture as you reach that part of the story.

Let me know what else you've added to or changed with this book unit in the comments!

For more book units check out "Preschool" tab on my blog, search "Beautiful Books" or read This post explaining the series.