Adventures with Little Bear: A Montessori Approach to ‘Little Bear’

Preschool / Pre-Primary / Nursery / Pre-Kindergarten Lesson Plan – Learning Little Bear Book, Maria Montessori philosophy

Title: “Adventures with Little Bear: A Montessori Approach to ‘Little Bear'”

Age Group: Preschool / Pre-Primary / Nursery / Pre-Kindergarten (3-5 years old)

Learning Framework: Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) – USA

Educational Approach: Montessori Method

Learning Outcomes (Based on ELOF):

1. Language and Literacy: Improve vocabulary and comprehension skills through story discussion.
2. Cognition: Understand the concept of friendship, empathy and problem-solving.
3. Perceptual, Motor, and Physical Development: Develop fine motor skills through related hands-on activities.
4. Social and Emotional Development: Foster understanding of friendship and empathy.

Resources Needed:

• The book “Little Bear” by Else Holmelund Minarik
• Craft materials (construction paper, crayons, scissors, glue, etc.)
• Materials for a pretend picnic (blanket, pretend food items)

Lesson Plan:

1. Story Introduction (15 minutes):

Read “Little Bear” to the children. Ask the students to listen carefully, look at the pictures, and interact with the story.

2. Story Discussion (15 minutes):

Discuss the story, focusing on Little Bear’s friendships and how he solves problems. Talk about the different characters and their qualities, asking the children how they would feel in different situations presented in the story.

3. Craft Activity – Little Bear Friendship Cards (30 minutes):

Provide children with craft materials and guide them to create friendship cards inspired by Little Bear’s friends. Encourage them to write or draw something related to friendship on their cards. This activity aids in the development of fine motor skills and creative expression.

4. Practical Life Activity – Picnic Preparation (30 minutes):

Set up a pretend picnic scenario, similar to Little Bear’s picnic with his friends. Let the children prepare the picnic, set the blanket, arrange the pretend food items, etc. This activity enhances their practical life skills and ties into the theme of the book.

5. Reflection and Conclusion (20 minutes):

At the picnic, revisit the story and discuss the importance of friendship, empathy, and problem-solving. Ask the children about their favorite part of the story and the activities.

Assessment:

Evaluate children’s comprehension of the story, their engagement in the discussion, their participation in the craft and picnic preparation activities, and their reflections on the story.

Alignment with Montessori Method:

This lesson plan aligns with the Montessori method by encouraging independent exploration, hands-on learning, and respect for others. The craft and picnic preparation activities provide practical life experiences, allowing the children to actively participate in their learning process.

Link to ELOF:

The lesson plan engages all four domains of the ELOF – language and literacy, cognition, social and emotional development, and perceptual, motor, and physical development. This ensures a comprehensive and enriching learning experience for the preschool children.