Bears!

Presented at Welcome School on Friday, January 18, 2013.

Books:

Tell Me The Day Backwards by Albert Lamb, illustrated by David McPhail




The Bear Who Shared by Catherine Rayner






Bears on Chairs by Shirley Parenteau, illustrated by David Walker



Activities:

Ten Little Fingers
I have ten little fingers (show 10 fingers)
And they all belong to me. (place hands on chest to indicate ownership)
I can make them do things. (let fingers dance in front of you)
Would you like to see?

I can put them up high, (reach up high)
I can put them down low. (bend down low)
I can make them hide, (hide hands behind back, in pockets, etc.)
And I can fold them so. (fold hands in front of you)

(Once you know this rhyme, try saying it again - a little faster...and even faster!  How fast can you go??!)

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, reach up high,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the sky,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, bend down low,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch your toes,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, go to bed,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, rest your head,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn out the lights,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, say "good night".


Enrichment
I spoke briefly with the children about how fun it can be to try and remember what they did during the course of a day - and then try to remember it all backwards!  Every Child Ready to Read® advocates talking to, and with, your child to encourage conversation and the ability to express one's self.  Today's book by Albert Lamb, Tell Me The Day Backwards can provide a wonderful opportunity to encourage narrative skills with your child. In this story, Timmy Bear and his mommy try to remember everything he did that day, recalling it all - backwards.  Try this with your child, starting with just 2 or 3 events.  After breakfast, for example, help your child remember that before breakfast he got dressed, and before that he woke up! With age and practice your child will be able to recall quite a few of the day's activities.  And as he recalls past events we will come to better understand the order of his activities and the passing of time.

I always look forward to seeing all the wonderful students and teachers at Welcome School!  The children were very attentive and really seemed to enjoy the stories today.  They taught me a song again this month - a song about a very big and tall snowman and what happened when the sun came out!!