Monday, April 27, 2009

We're Going on a Bear Hunt

We have been enjoying this FUN book as part of our Before Five in a Row curriculum with Daniel.  He has loved reading the story and acting it out!  Over and over and over again.  He giggles wildly when we are being chased by the bear.  He also loves when we all flop into the big bed upstairs.  Eliana likes the part in the book where we "stumble, trip ... stumble trip" through the forest. 


One of the things that I love about Before FIAR is that is has gotten me to try things that I might not have otherwise.  I think we all have things we are comfortable doing and I appreciate being stretched to get out of my comfort zone to try some new things - which sometimes also end up being things that I enjoy.  One of these things was "drama".  Rebecca LOVED the drama activities from the time she was a little girl.  I wouldn't have thought of this on my own, but am so thankful that Jane (author of the curriculum and friend) suggested doing this.  Since doing it with Rebecca (and Christopher), I've since enjoyed it with all the rest of our children and made many fun memories too.


I wish I had some pictures of us acting out the story, but, I was busy acting.  LOL


We also enjoyed some activities in a box that my sweet friend Catherine made for me.  I thought I'd share a picture of some of them.


There are pictures of the different areas in the book as well as the printed words describing the areas.  I had Daniel put these in sequential order and then match up the words with the picture.  He doesn't read so we were just working on beginning letter sounds like "sssss" for snowstorm.



Next were some sensory items.  These were a huge hit with my boy with Sensory Integration issues.  We didn't use these in a "hunt" like the label says - I should figure out how to do that.  Instead we just played with them, talked about it and had fun.  I threw the cotton balls on him and we talked about snow.  He felt the swishy grass.  He really loved the little tube he could  put his fingers into.  You just never know what is going to be a hit some days. 



Last, but definitely not least, were the felts.  He loved acting out the story - with me - using the felts.  We did this many times.  We used it first for sequencing and talking about the order of the story.  We repeated the lines and concepts in the story line as we acted it out.


This is made using a scan and transfer paper.  You then iron it onto felt.  Isn't it cute?!  Here is most of it stretched across the floor.



Here are some close-ups.




If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend it.  It is a lot of fun.  I hope these ideas are helpful to someone. 


Blessings,


Leslie

12 comments:

  1. I have been thinking about Before FIAR for my youngest two. This looks like something they would enjoy. My 4 yo loves to pretend play, so I think he would enjoy acting out a story.


    I'm enjoying your blog, too! I have it in my reader. :-)


    Michelle @ Delightful Learning

    ReplyDelete
  2. oh how fun! We never did Before FIAR, I guess I was just too busy trying to get everything else done.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The felts are great and the sensory box would be fun too. My kids still pull that book off the shelf during storytime.

    Blessings,

    Dawn

    ReplyDelete
  4. Did you make those felts Leslie?? I love those!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Jen,


    I didn't make the felts. My sweet friend Catherine made them for me. Aren't they cute?!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is one of my favorite little kid books...what cute ideas!


    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  7. I absolutely love your ideas. Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  8. healthyhomeschoolMay 8, 2009 at 4:48 PM

    Leslie, I loved reading about this. I love your ideas and seeing how you do things.


    Lynn

    ReplyDelete
  9. I just found your site because the free preschool curriculum that we use - www.abcjesuslovesme.com - also uses the "Going on a Bear Hunt" story several times in the 3 and 4 year old curriculum. This is a great idea. You might want to share it with the writer of the curriculum!

    She also has a sister site about sensory processing disorder.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Adorable felts, awesome sensory and hands on fun! Love it ~ you do such a great job. =) I am going to look into the iron transfers - too cool!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I forgot to ask where you got the printables for the long wavy grass, deep cold river etc.?

    ReplyDelete

I love hearing from friends!!! Thank you for taking time to leave a comment!