Classroom Booklet Adapted from Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See

OH Indicators for Kindergarten:
Language Arts: Read own first and last name, Read one syllable and often-heard words by sight, Identify words in common categories such as color words, number words, and directional words, Recognize predictable patterns in stories, Dictate or write informal writings for various purposes (There are many others) Social Studies: Participate and cooperate in classroom activities, Listen for information, Work with others by sharing, taking turns and raising hand to speak

I will have introduced the book "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" by Bill Martin, Jr. during an earlier lesson. I will lead the class in a discussion about what the book is about (animals) and what the book teaches us (colors).

I will announce that we are going to make a classroom booklet like the bear book. Each child will make a drawing of an animal. When a child is finished, he/she will bring their picture to me or a parent volunteer and have a photo taken of the child with their animal. We will discuss that a book of only red animals wouldn't be much fun. A book of only dogs wouldn't be any fun either. To prevent this, I will have Popsicle sticks with a color on one end. As each child leaves the circle they will select a Popsicle stick and the color of their animal will be determined. The child will also tell the class what kind of animal they will be drawing so no more than 3-4 of each type of animal is represented. (I hate to limit creativity, but will stress the point that we want a variety of animals and colors.) I will ask the students what their job is and if they have any questions.

Once the pictures are taken, the students will create a page for the book. Depending on the level of the student, they will receive a page with the words, "(Their name), what do you see? I see a (color) (animal) looking at me." or they will write the sentences completely on their own from a format on the board.

I will assemble the book and have each student read his/her page in front of the class. Praise will be given about how well the students worked together and what good readers and writers we have in class. The book will be placed in the reading center for students to enjoy.

Students will also be asked to read their page in a digital voice recorder. We will then place a CD with the book so that students can also listen to the book and their friends voices.

The book can also be scanned and the voices added to create a slide show for an open house.

I think this will be a wonderful beginning of the year activity. Students will see and hear their classmates' names and become familiar with a few sight words. The book is also so predictable, students will gain confidence in their skills.