This storytime is all about bears! It includes three songs, two books, one flannel story, and one fingerplay rhyme. Kids will learn about grizzly bears, polar bears, and teddies. Have them bring their own teddy bears for added fun!
Intro: Wake the Bear Song
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I told the kids that I had a friend who wanted to join us for storytime, but he was feeling tired today. I peeked into my backpack and told them he was still sleeping. I asked, "Can you help me wake him with a song?" We then sang a modified version of Jbrary's "Bear is Sleeping" song. When we had done it loud enough, I took my teddy out of the bag, had him stretch his little arms, and join the kids for storytime.
"Bear is Sleeping" modified lyrics:
Bear is sleeping. (x2)
Wake him up! (x2)
Come and say hello bear. (x2)
Time to read. (x2)
Books & Flannel Story
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Corduroy (Don Freeman)
This book is a classic for a reason. It's great for discussing emotions, friendship, and being thankful. I also think it is the perfect length for preschoolers, long enough to develop a good story but short enough to keep their attention.
Where’s My Teddy? (Jez Alborough)
This is a short catchy book that the kids loved. It is full of rhyme so you can read it fluidly for that Dr. Seuss sort of tongue-twister effect. It also merges grizzly bears and teddy bears!
Goldilocks & the 3 Bears Flannel Story
I told my rendition of Goldilocks and the Three Bears using this flannel board and finger puppet set I made. I changed a few things from the classic story and added lots of sound effects and jokes to keep it fun!
Mini Lesson & Bear Types Song
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After finishing the flannel story, I asked the kids what color the three bears were. We then talked about brown bears and we gave them a name, grizzly bears, which we said together because grizzly is a fun word.
I then had them look at my teddy bear again, who is white. I asked them if white bears exist in real life. I showed them the Usborne Touchy Feely Book, That's Not My Polar Bear, and explained that polar bears live at the North Pole.
I then asked them to help me sing this slightly modified song, also from Jbrary:
"Grizzly Bears Are Big and Brown" Lyrics:
Grizzly bears are big and brown,
Big and brown, big and brown, Grizzly bears are big and brown,
They live in the woods.
Polar bears are soft and white,
Soft and white, soft and white,
Polar bears are soft and white,
They live at the North Pole.
Teddy bears are just my size,
Just my size, just my size,
Teddy bears are just my size,
To cuddle with at night.
Two Grizzly Bears Fingerplay
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I repurposed my Papa and Momma Bear puppets from the Goldilocks set, but if you want to make different puppets for this, two polar bears would be great too. Again, I borrowed this rhyme from Jbrary because they are just so creative. I only changed "black bears" to grizzly bears and I also had the kids call back the bears after they ran away.
Goodbye Song: Nap Time for Bear
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To end this storytime, I informed the kids that Teddy had a lot of fun, but he was ready for a nap. It is the same tune we sang in the beginning, but with modified lyrics again.
Bear is Sleepy Lyrics:
Bear is sleepy (x2).
Yes, it's true. (x2)
Come and say goodbye bear. (x2)
Time to sleep. (x2)