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 perceptionRead 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.Day 4: Hike
Skills: Gross motor skills, Sensory play, Exploration (confidence building), Memory, RythmnGo 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, expressionSeriously 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.