Hibernation!

The Plan

Books

Bear Has a Story to Tell by Philip C. Stead
Hibernation by Margaret Hall
Hibernation Station by Michelle Meadows
Time to Sleep by Denise Fleming

Extension Activities

Flannelboard: “Ouch”

Fingerplay: “Here is a Cave”
Here is a cave. Inside is a bear. (bend fingers on one hand; put thumb inside)
Now he comes out to get some fresh air. (pop out thumb)
He stays out all summer in sunshine and heat.
He hunts in the forest for berries to eat. (move thumb in a circle)
When snow starts to fall, he hurries inside
His warm little cave and there he will hide. (put thumb inside fingers)
Snow covers the cave like a fluffy white rug.
Inside the bear sleeps all cozy and snug. (place one hand over the other)
Credit: King County Library System

Song: “Hibernation” (Tune: “Alouette”)
Hibernation, time for hibernation.
Hibernation, time to go to sleep.
In the winter, where’s the bear?
Sleeping in its log or lair.
Where’s the bear? Log or lair. OH!
In the winter, where’s the frog?
Sleeping by a pond or log.
Where’s the frog? Pond or log. OH!
In the winter, where’s the snake?
In the mud beneath the lake.
Where’s the snake? Beneath the lake. OH!
In the winter, where’s the bat?
In a cave is where it’s at.
Where’s the bat? Cave it’s at! OH!
Credit: Songs for Children

Song & Puppet: “Sleepy Bear” (Tune: Thumbkin)
Where is Bear? Where is Bear?
Here I am. Here I am.
How are you this winter?
Very tired, thank you.
Go to sleep. Go to sleep.
Credit: Preschool Education & Music

Craft

At craft, we made a paper bag with a hibernating bear inside! I got this craft from Play Create Explore and you definitely need to check out the amazing photo-by-photo instructions. My teen volunteers had no trouble putting this one together!

How It Went

This was a quieter storytime, which was kind of ironic given the subject matter. The kids liked “Time to Sleep” and “Bear Has a Story to Tell,” but responded mostly to our non-fiction title, “Hibernation!” Seeing the real images of the animals really piqued their interest! And as always, “Sleepy Bear” brought lots of giggles when we woke Bear up over and over to sing the song again.