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Bear Stays Up for Christmas



Last updated Monday, November 21, 2005

Author: Karma Wilson
Illustrator: Jane Chapman
Date of Publication: 2004
ISBN: 0689852789
Grade Level: 1st    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Dec. 2005

Synopsis: It's the day before Christmas, and Bear's friends have gathered in his lair to wake him up to celebrate the holiday. They get a tree, pop corn and bake fruitcake, and hang stockings and hum songs. The others doze off, but Bear keeps busy wrapping presents, baking cookies, and decorating, unaware that a certain plump, red-suited gentleman is watching from outside the cave.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  What do bears usually do in the winter? Do the students know what the word ?hibernate? mean?
•  What are some things that you do for your friends?

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Who are the bears' friends? Do you know what all the animals are?
•  What words rhyme?
•  What do the animals sound like? (Wren is similar to a crow)
•  What does it feel like to not be able to fall asleep? How do you think bear feels?
•  What presents would you give to each animal?

Craft ideas:
•  Make ornaments for the tree. Glue or tape them to a yarn. Bring ahead option: yarn, glitter pen & pine cones.
•  Make bird feeder. Bring ahead option: bird seeds
•  Cut out stocking shapes and decorate it. Glue top with cotton balls. You can also cut out cookie shapes and ?put them in? the stockings.

Special activities:
•  Act out the story where each child pretends to be one of the animals and has to keep the ?bear? awake by singing a song or telling a joke or story. (Make sure the cues are verbal and not physical.)

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!