If you’ve never made my Letter Bears you are going to be thankful when school starts if you make them. They are a perfect way to transition children and reinforce skills at the same time.
What? construction paper or colored card stock, scissors, markers
Why? letters, colors, numbers, shapes, sight words
When? Large group transitions, dismissal
How? Cut 26 bears out of the construction paper. Write upper and lowercase letters on all the bears. Mix up the bears and then sing this song to the tune of “Twinkle Little Star” as the letters are revealed:
Dd bear, Dd bear, what do you see?
I see Kk bear looking at me.
Kk bear, Kk bear, what do you see…
Focus children’s attention while they settle down for a story or lesson with the letter bears.
*Use the bears as a transition activity. Dismiss children to line up, wash their hands, etc. when the letter that their name starts with appears.
*At the beginning of the school year make bears with the children's names. For younger children use their names and photos.
*For younger children make color bears or shape bears.
*Use the bears to reinforce other skills, such as the numerals 10-20 or sight words.
*Hide the bears around the classroom or playground for the children to find and identify.
*Each month make a similar game using seasonal cutouts. Adapt to different skills you are working on each month.
Click here to download the bear pattern.