K-1 Integrated Lesson Tie-In with the Bear Sleepover

We always arrange to have their library day either the day of or the day after the night their teddy bears spend the night at school.

I bring in a tent, wear pajamas, bring my own bear and pretend that I tell them that before the kindergarten teachers put the bears to bed, I read them stories.

I "pretend" to be sleeping in the tent, and my library assistant has to "find me". I wake up and sit inside the tent with the children in front of it for our stories. The children bring their bears with them. Since their bears have never come to the library, we review all of our procedures so the bears will know how to behave.

First I read Rabbit's Pajama Party by Stuart Murphy. We review the order of the events in the story. The math concept for this particular book is sequencing.

Then, I read another "bedtime" story to them. In the past I have read Franklin Has a Sleep over by Paulette Bourgeois. This year I am going to read Wanda's Monster by Eileen Spinelli. Another good choice is How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight, by Jane Yolen.

I hope this is helpful. I will try to send along other ideas as I think of them.

Amy Guthrie Library Media Specialist Harrington Elementary School, 118 469-752-1527