I discovered an amazing used book store at a mall we frequent on trips to the ‘big city’. I have found some really great children’s books there, even hard covers, for less than $1. The girls really love to read, and there are some books that children just have an amazing love for.
At that great book store I found a loved copy of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury.
Photo credit: www.kiddley.com
When The Manchild was a little, we had this in a board book style. I had held on to it and brought it back out when the girls arrived, but as much as they liked it, they never really looooooovvvved it. Neither did The Manchild.
Because it is a book that I love, I picked it up and figured we would give it another go since the board book is back in the U.S. waiting for us.
BIG HIT! The girls love this book so much, we read it daily, every night before they go to bed, sometimes even multiple times.
The Popo has been actively ‘doing her homework’. Which basically means that she has a very tattered Barney letter activity book along with a newer Thomas letter activity book, and she carries them around with a pen and practices her letters. She has independently developed an interest in writing in the last month or so that I really want to foster. As much as we read already, I have been trying to spend more time reading to them both, and making an effort to make a connection between between letters and sounds and words.
Since they are not actively involved in any kind of preschool class here, I have trying to figure out (with my uncreative self) some ways I can incorporate learning into some fun activities for them, specifically for letters and numbers. Enter Google Queen.
While I was searching for some pics of the book, I came across a few web sites that had some activities and pdfs that will allow me to combine their love for this book with learning opportunities.
kiddley.com suggests a bear hunt at the zoo, and offers some other resources as well.
schoolsnet.com offers lesson plans and worksheets in pdf form.
And brighthub.com has a bear hunt activity you can do either at home or at school, inside or out.
I must admit to being a little embarrassed that I am a self-proclaimed Google Queen, but it had never occurred to me to use my favorite ‘web friend’ to connect children’s books with fun activities, though I have been using it recently to get some ideas on how to incorporate learning letters and sounds into every day fun activities (instead of sitting down classroom style).
Next up: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!
