February 19, 2020: Toddler Storytime: Polar Bears

(Reminder note: When it is time to read a story, I read the titles of three books and then display them. The children pick which one we read. The ones listed below are the ones they picked. Additional recommended titles about polar bears for two to three year olds are at the bottom of this post.)

Opening song:                                                               

(Tune: The Farmer in the Dell")

We tap hola like this
We tap ho la like this
Hi-ho cherry

We tap hola like this

Continue with other verses:

We drop hola like this...

We circle hola like this...

We spin hola like this...

We toss hola like this..

We roll hola like this....

We stomp hola like this...

Introduction: I brought out a stuffed polar bear, and I asked what kind of bear it is. I explained that polar bears live way up north where it is always cold. They have black skin to help them absorb hear from the sun and white fur to blend in because snow and ice are white.

Book: "Polar Bear Morning" by Lauren Thompson

I gave each parent a copy of the words to the song that went with the theme. 

MOVEMENT SONG:

“Polar Bear”

Polar Bear, Polar Bear turn around
Polar Bear, Polar Bear touch the ground.
Polar Bear, Polar Bear bend down low. 
Polar Bear, Polar Bear touch your toe.

Polar Bear, Polar Bear slide on the ice.
Polar Bear, Polar Bear spin around, twice. 
Polar Bear, Polar Bear reach up high. 
Polar Bear, Polar Bear touch the sky.

MOVEMENT SONG:

“Did You Ever See a Polar Bear” (Tune: “Did You Ever See a Lassie?”)


Did you ever see a polar bear, A polar bear, a polar bear? Did you ever see a polar bear Sliding on ice?

He slips and slides,
He twirls and glides.
Did you ever see a polar bear,
Sliding on ice?



Spanish song: "Vengan a Ver Mi Granja" by Whistlefritz
  

Book: "No Place Like Home" by Ronojoy Ghosh

Movement song:  

“Polar Bear”

(Tune: I’m A Little Teapot)


I’m a little polar bear, soft and white. 
Catching a fish, they’re a tasty bite.
When it gets cold on an Arctic night,
My thick warm fur keeps me just right!

Goodbye Song:
(Tune: "The Farmer in the Dell")

We tap adios like this

We tap adios like this

Hi-ho cherry

We tap adios like this

Continue with other verses:

We drop adios like this...

We circle adios like this...

We spin adios like this...

We toss adios like this...

We roll adios like this...

We stomp adios like this...

Craft Time: Cotton Ball Polar Bear

Modified from https://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/polar-bear-craft-for-kids/

 Materials:
1. Polar bear template
2. White cardstock
3. Black crayons
4. Cotton balls
5. Googly eyes
6. Black cardstock
7. Hole punch 
8. Scissors 
9. Glue

My example

Instructions:

1. Print template on white cardstock.

2. Color template with black crayon, and cut it out.

3. Pull cotton balls apart into small pieces, and glue them on top of the polar bear

4. Glue on a googly eye.

5. Hole punch a nose out of the black cardstock, and glue it on.

*All photos are with parental permission.

I always let the children pick which three books I read from the ones I bring with me. These are some additional suggested books that the children didn't pick:

1. "One Very Big Bear" by Alice Briere-Haquet
2. "Virgil and Owen" by Paulette Bogan
3. "Polar Bear's Underwear" by Tupera Tupera 
4. "Little Polar Bear" by Hans de Beer
5. "Polar Bear Night" by Lauren Thompson
6. "Love Matters Most" by Mij Kelly and Gerry Turley