We're Going on a Bear Hunt | Bringing the Story to Life

Soooooo...my surname is Hunt. Ever noticed? That makes my teacher name "Mrs Hunt". The number of times I hear my name each day at school is too many to count. Funny story - when I returned to teaching after getting married over the school holidays, my first lesson with the children was "We're going on a Bear Hunt" to help them remember my new name in a meaningful way. We kept it simple, read the story, had a giggle about "Mrs Hunt" just like the "Bear Hunt", and the children re-told the story using the following sequencing cards from kizclub. Little people figurines and a teddy bear completed the story props.

I also found these pictures and key word cards from Sparkle Box (click image to download)

I came across this little you tube clip of Michael Rosen (the author) performing the story. Will definitely use this next time I read this story. He is so animated!

We're going on a bear hunt - Michael Rosen performs.

This is such a fantastic text to incorporate some sensory play! One simple Pinterest search gave me several great ideas that I'll definitely use in the classroom one of these days :)

Discovery Bottles

From L-R

• Grass - green shredded paper
• River - water with food colouring, oil and blue glitter
• Mud - self explanatory
• Forest - twigs and leaves
• Snowstorm - cotton wool and white rice for the sound effects

Sensory Bins/Trays

Simply use the above discovery bottle materials but put them in five separate plastic tubs and allow the children to engage their sense of touch as they play and re-tell the story. Some alternatives include actual grass clippings, or shaving cream for the snowstorm!

Here's an example, just in one big tub - this image is from my guest post over at Childhood 101 (click link to read more).

Sound Story
Add your own sound effects...

• Grass - Swishy Swashy (broom)
• River - Splish Spash (water bottles)
• Mud - Squelchy (jelly in a bottle or container)
• Forest - Stumble trip (bang a pot with a wooden spoon)
• Snowstorm - Hooo wooo (blow into a bottle)
• Cave - Tip toe (bang the pot softly)

Art Work with Water Colours (Learn with Play at home)

Image used with permission - click for image source

Drama - get up and act out the story! Walk around the classroom and pretend that you are walking through each of the different textures. So great to engage the imagination! I picked up Miss M from Child Care one day and got to observe the children acting out the story in the yard.

Why not make links with Bill Martin Jnr / Eric Carle's book "Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See?" Remember my Eric Carle post way back when? Or what about the traditional fairy tale "Goldilocks and the Three Bears"?

"We're Going on a Bear Hunt" is such a wonderful repetitive story, which is key for establishing early reading skills. It helps the children predict what comes next, while engaging and immersing them in the text. I'm sure you've heard of this book - why not try it with your child or class?

Thanks for stopping by :)
Lauren

PS This is the first time I'm linking up with a super Aussie blogger Essentially Jess for #IBOT (I blog on Tuesdays). Not sure if I'll be able to stick to it for every Tuesday, but I'll give it a go!