Famous Bears

Famous Bears are used to encourage students to retell a story, and to compare and contrast the characters and events of various stories. After reading a book each day, shared experience charts are used, and students write or draw about the story. A curriculum connection is made to art. 

Standards & Objectives

Academic standards
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.1
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.2
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on kindergarten reading and content.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.5
With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.K.1
Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.K.3
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.1
With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.10
Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.10
Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.1
Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.2
Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.3
Ask and answer questions in order to seek help, get information, or clarify something that is not understood.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.5
With guidance and support from adults, respond to questions and suggestions from peers and add details to strengthen writing as needed.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.7
Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., explore a number of books by a favorite author and express opinions about them).
GLE 0001.1.1
Demonstrate an emerging understanding of basic English usage, mechanics, spelling, and sentence structure.
GLE 0001.1.2
Employ a variety of strategies to decode words and expand vocabulary.
GLE 0001.1.4
Begin to explore the alphabetic principle.
GLE 0001.2.1
Develop critical listening skills essential for comprehension, problem solving, and task completion.
GLE 0001.2.2
Develop critical speaking skills essential for effective communication.
GLE 0001.3.1
Use basic knowledge of simple capitalization and punctuation rules.
GLE 0001.3.2
Employ a variety of strategies to generate story ideas.
GLE 0001.8.3
Develop reading fluency and accuracy.
GLE 0001.8.4
Identify basic literary elements.
GLE 0501.3.3
Know and apply the steps of the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, evaluating, and publishing.
TSS.ELA.K.FL.PC.1
Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.
TSS.ELA.K.FL.PWR.3
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills when decoding isolated words and in connected text.
TSS.ELA.K.FL.SC.6
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when speaking and conventions of standard English grammar and usage, including...
TSS.ELA.K.FL.VA.7a
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on Kindergarten conversations, reading, and content.
TSS.ELA.K.FL.VA.7b
With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
TSS.ELA.K.FL.VA.7c
Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.
TSS.ELA.K.FL.WC.4
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills when encoding words; write legibly.
TSS.ELA.K.RI.IKI.8
With prompting and support, identify the reasons an author provides to support points in a text.
TSS.ELA.K.RI.RRTC.10
With prompting and support, read informational texts of appropriate complexity for Kindergarten.
TSS.ELA.K.RL.RRTC.10
With prompting and support, read stories and poems of appropriate complexity for Kindergarten.
TSS.ELA.K.SL.CC.1
Participate with varied peers and adults in collaborative conversations in small or large groups about appropriate Kindergarten topics.
TSS.ELA.K.SL.CC.2
Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and...
TSS.ELA.K.SL.CC.3
Ask and answer questions in order to seek help, get information, or clarify something that is not understood.
TSS.ELA.K.W.PDW.5
With guidance and support from adults, respond to questions and suggestions from others and add details to strengthen writing as needed.
TSS.ELA.K.W.RBPK.7
Participate in shared research and writing projects, such as reading a number of books by a favorite author and expressing opinions about them.
 
Alignment of this item to academic standards is based on recommendations from content creators, resource curators, and visitors to this website. It is the responsibility of each educator to verify that the materials are appropriate for your content area, aligned to current academic standards, and will be beneficial to your specific students.
 
Learning objectives: 

Objective:

Students will:

Engage in literacy activities

Develop their abilities to compare, contrast, and retell stories

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Understanding
Extension suggestions: 

Lesson Extension:

Provide children with lunch-size paper bags, tempera paint and paintbrushes, construction paper, scissors, and glue so they can create bear puppets. Invite children to share their puppets during group time. Encourage them to work together and use their puppets to talk about events from the school year.

 

Helpful Hints

Materials:

Variety of books about bears such as If You Love a Bear, Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?, My Friend Bear,  Winnie-the-Pooh, The Berenstain Bears, Corduroy, and Paddington Bear

Chart paper

Lunch-size paper bags

Newspaper

Markers and crayons

Drawing paper

Glue

Tempura paint

Paintbrushes

References

Contributors: