Materials
Pictures or a book showing different kinds of bears Glue
Paper bags and brown construction paper Scissors"Grandpa Bear's Lullaby" by Jane Yolen from Dragon Night and Other Lullabies
Instructions
1. Display the pictures of the different kinds of bears so that all children can view them. Ask the following questions: What are these? (Bears) Does anyone know the names of these bears? (Polar bear, Black bear, Grizzly bear, Brown bear, etc.) How are the bears different and the same?2. Tell the children that bears can walk on two legs and also on all four. Children can imitate a bear walking each way.
3. Discuss the term "hibernation."4. Read the poem "Grandpa Bear's Lullaby" to help explain hibernation.
5. Sing "Going on a Bear Hunt" or "The Bear Went Over the Mountain." When singing the latter, walk like a bear.
6. Open a paper lunch bag and fold it in half. Have children rip pieces of brown construction paper and glue it on three sides of the bag so it looks like a cave. Have the children cut out a picture of a sleeping bear and glue it inside the paper bag. The children have their own hibernating bear.More to doDramatic play: Have the children bring in their favorite teddy bear, along with a beach towel, pair of sunglasses and a hat. Read Teddy Bear's Picnic and then have a teddy bear picnic for snack or lunch.
