Learning Experience Planning Sheet

Learning Experience: Interactive Puppet show, based on the book, Polar bear, Polar bear, what do you hear? Age Group: Junior/Senior Kindergarten

Programming Purpose: The purpose of this activity and the reason in which the children will be using props during the story time activity is to ensure that the children participate and use their imaginations as they make the story come to life by incorporating their props into story time. The children will then be able to create their own plays with the props and present them to their classmates, this allows the children to develop not only their language skills but their social skills as well. Objectives: The children will: 1. Demonstrate a willingness to try new activities (e.g., experiment with new materials / tools, try out activities in a different learning centre, select and persist with challenging activities, experiment with writing ) and to adapt to new situations (e.g., having visitors in the classroom, having a different teacher occasionally, going on a field trip, riding the school bus) (Ontario Curriculum, 2014). 2. Demonstrate self-motivation, initiative, and confidence in their approach to learning by selecting and completing learning tasks (e.g., choose learning centres independently, try something new, persevere with tasks. (Ontario Curriculum, 2014). Setting the Stage: Materials: The Book Polar Bear Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? Eleven rectangular cards made of various colours of construction paper with popsicle sticks attached to the backs of them, so that the children can hold on to the props. These cards include pictures of each character of the story.

Set Up:

Carpet space, with the book and props.

Role of the Educator: Introduction: First introduce the story to the children by saying, Today class we will be reading the story, Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?, by Bill Martin Jr. And pictures by Eric Carle. Also, briefly explain to the children what the story is about. Then I will pass out the props to the children and as I read the story they have to stand up and show the class the appropriate prop for that part of the story. When the story is completed the children will than be put in groups and be able to use the props to use their imagination and come up with their own story line even if it is completely different than the one in the book to make their own play to present in front of their classmates. Teaching Strategy #1: Invitations This strategy will be incorporated into this activity when the props are being distributed. (childs name), come find the prop with the animal from this page of the story on it. This will be said as each prop is being found by the children. Teaching Strategy #2: Do it signals This strategy will be incorporated into the activity while the story is being read to the children. Tell me what you see this will be one of the do it signals used in which the children would have to put up their hand and explain to the teacher what animal or character they see on the page of the story. Another do it signal that will be used during this activity is, tell me who has the prop with the character that is on this page of the story, this will be done once the story is read and all the props are no longer in the middle of the circle but in the childrens hands. The child who raises their hand will have to look around at their classmates and see who has the prop of the character that is on the page of the book. Teaching Strategy #3: Questions This strategy will be used in this activity after the story has been read and all the props are distributed. A question that will be asked is, what was your favourite character and why? the children will then be asked to raise their hands and answer the question that was asked. Another question that will be asked after story time will be, do you have any pets at home? The children will also be asked to raise their hand and answer the question. I will also ask questions after the children perform their plays and ask why they decided to make up this story line with the props. Positive Reinforcement Strategies: I will acknowledge the childrens efforts by stating to them that they all did a good job participating as I was reading the story and acting out the character with the props at the appropriate times. I will also acknowledge them for their efforts in creating their own plays with the props as well.

Setting Limits: I will set limits such as: Only 4 children at a time for this activity, except during the time when the story is being read to the class. The group members must share the props while making up their own plays. They must give the props to me or any other teacher in the classroom when they are finished with this activity.