The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree



Last updated Monday, September 30, 2019

Author: Stan Berenstain
Illustrator: Jan Berenstain
Date of Publication: 1978
ISBN: 0394839102
Grade Level: 1st    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Oct. 2019

Synopsis: Three terrified little bears explore the inside of a mysterious old tree and go "into, up, through, over, down, and out."

Note to readers:
•  Have you ever read any of the Berenstain Bears books or see any of the cartoons? What stories do you remember?

Discussion topics for before reading:
• 

Vocabulary

•  spooky - eerie, scary
•  twisty - crooked, serpentine
•  dare - to have the necessary courage or boldness
•  shivers - shivers, an attack of shivering or chills (usually preceded by the).

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Are there any "spooky" things in your neighborhood, like a spooky old house or building or tree? Why do you think it is spooky?
•  Have you ever been to a scary or spooky place like a "Haunted House" at an amusement park or school or carnival?
•  Would you go into the spooky tree/house if you had a chance?

Craft ideas:
•  Draw a picture of something spooky; a house a tree, a forest
•  Make a mask for Halloween, a scary one, an animal, a superhero, using a paper plate
•  Check our craft ideas on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/october-2019/

Special activities:
•  Discuss activities you like to do for Halloween or Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

*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!