Where's Goldilocks? The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett

Begin the Jan Brett activities by reading any version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. It is a good time to see how much your students know about this story. Encourage them to join in or predict what will happen. Concentrate on things in the book that you will be talking about when comparing The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett.

1. What color are the bears?

2. What are they eating?

3. Describe their cottage and the surroundings? (woods, forest)

4. What does Goldilocks do in the bear's home?

5. Describe the clothing of Goldilocks and the bears.

 Depending on your time restrictions, you may choose to read The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett to your students the same day or the next day. If it is the next day, quickly review the main points of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Then begin the Jan Brett book, allowing time for the students to enjoy the beautiful illustrations throughout. As you are reading, involve the students:

1. Why is Aloo-ki wearing winter clothes? Have a globe on hand to show them where the story takes place. (Nunavut Territory in Northern Canada)

2. Describe the bear's home (an igloo). How is it different from the bear's home in Goldilocks and the Three Bears?

3. The bears are white. They are polar bears. Why do you think they are white? (They blend in with the habitat) Why do you think the bears in the Goldilocks and the Three Bears book are brown?

4. What three things did Aloo-ki try in the bear's home?

Art Activity- Use a simple bear pattern. Spread a thin coat of glue on the bear and add cotton balls. Try to stretch the cotton balls before affixing onto the pattern. Label: Polar Bear

Use the same simple bear pattern. Tear tiny pieces of brown construction paper. Spread a thin coat of glue on the bear. Press the pieces of brown paper on the bear. Label: Brown Bear

This lesson plan can include an activity about small, medium and large. Just as we had Papa Bear who was large, Mama Bear who was medium and Baby Bear who was small, we can find things around us that are small, medium and large. Have some items on hand: books, crayons, signs, chairs, stuffed animals, etc. that illustrate these size words. Ask the students to explore the room, playground or hallway to find other things that illustrate the concept of size.

Activity 1- Choose students to act out each book.

Activity 2- Use rolled up white socks as snowballs. Practice tossing them in a basket several feet away.

Activity 3- Do the bear walk in a large open area.

Comparing the two books Goldilocks and the Three Bears and The Three Snow Bears is so beneficial for your preschoolers. Jan Brett activities encourage language skills by verbalizing things that are alike and different. Math skills are incorporated with size comparisons and counting in sets of three. Best of all it builds interest in literature.

Author Website: www.janbrett.com