Book Study – The Bear and the Piano – Week 4

1: Predicting:

If you have never read this book

before you can use your predicting

skills .

Use the clues

from the front

cover to have a

guess. - What could this book be about? - What could happen? - Who will be in this book?

2: Reading with Mrs Cox:

Listen to Mrs Cox reading the story –

https://youtu.be/7sCjgQJXmuI.

Stop the video when Mrs Cox says and

complete the feelings task.

Use the image – annotate around the

outside of the picture. - How are the bears feeling? - What are they thinking? - Why do you think that?

See sheet number 2 below.

3. Reading comprehension activity:

‘The bear’s name was up in big bright

lights in the big, bright city.’

Can you make an advert poster?

Advertising the bear’s show. Make it

bright, clear and exciting to attract

people to go to his performances.

4: Making links with other stories:

What other stories do you know that

are similar to this story? Can you think

of any links?

-Complete a circle map of all the

different books you can think of.

-Complete a double bubble map

thinking about the similarities and

differences between the Bear from

this story and Paddington.

5: Recalling the story:

Can you remember the story?

Use the images or draw your own, to

create a flow map of the story to

sequence what happened.

If you need a little reminder have a

listen to Mrs Cox’s video again or use

this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui8qayYnRWc.

6: Retelling the story:

Can you write a Talk for Write story

map about the bear and the piano?

See Mrs Cox’s video. Link:

https://youtu.be/4re2UqpGsI4 .

How about writing a retell of the

story.

7: Reading comprehension activity:

Complete the quiz.

If you are struggling with some of the

answers, ask a grownup to go through

it with you.

8: Writing a diary entry:

Write a diary entry imagining you’re

the Bear. Write from his perspective

about a day in his life from the story.

9. Researching and making notes:

On a computer, can you use a search

engine (swiggle.org.uk/ if you have an

adult to help use google.com)

Research the author David Litchfield.

Use the prompt questions.

10: Bears around the world/ Map

making:

Research different types of bears. Use

the information sheet and website

below.

Can you make a map of where these

different animals live?

Why not try and label the oceans and

continents on the map too!

11: Writing a book review:

Write a book review on The Bear and

the Piano.

Think about what you liked, disliked

about the book. Can you remember

what happened (but don’t tell the

ending). The reader won’t want to pick

up the book if you tell them what

happens in the end! Rate your book, out

of 5 stars entice the reader in.

12: Maths: Measuring bear paws –

Use the list below of bear paw

measurements. Can you draw them on

the pavement with chalk or on pieces

of paper using the exact

measurements. Don’t forget to start

at 0 every time to measure. Can you

order the bear paws from smallest to

biggest?

Resources are on the pages below to match each activity. Numbers correspond to the activity.

1: Predicting

What might the book be about?

Why do you think that?

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

2. Reading with Mrs Cox

How are they feeling?

What are they thinking?

Why do you think that?

What would you do if you were the bear?

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

4: Making links with other stories:

Create a circle map of all the different books you have read that link with this story. It could be;

characters, settings, things that happen, characters feelings or journeys they go on.

Describe the similarities and difference between these two characters

They both travel

to cities from

their home.

He can play the

piano

beautifully.

What is the same goes in between

This side write the

difference for Bear

This side write

about Paddington

5: Recalling the story:

Use the images below to cut out and sequence into the story’s order.

You could use a flow map. If you can’t print the pictures, create your

own flow map and in each box draw a picture of each section of the

story.

6: Retelling the story:

Follow Mrs Cox’s video. Click on link: https://youtu.be/4re2UqpGsI4

Can you use the talk for write plan to retell the story? Mrs Cox has

done the opening for you.

7: Reading comprehension quiz: talk about your answers with a grown up.

The Bear and the Piano

1. List three words to describe the bear.

________________________________________________________________________________

2. Which of these words would best describe the city?

Tick two:

Bushy Noisy

Hectic Messy

3. What did the bear learn to do?

_________________________________________________________________________________

4. How did the bear feel when he was famous?

_________________________________________________________________________________

5. How do you think the other bears felt while he was away? Why do you think that?

_________________________________________________________________________________

6. Number the sentences below from 1 to 4 to show the

order they happened in.

The bear performed to big audiences.

The bear told his friends about life in the city.

The bear shyly touched the strange thing.

The bear missed home.

7. Explain what he meant when it said:

‘something tugged at the bear’s heart’

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

8. David Litchfield has written a sequel, What do you

think the story will be?

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

9. The story teaches you about love, how?

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

8: Writing a diary entry:

Imagine you are the bear; choose a time in the story. Either;

when he’s learning to play, when he first moves, when he’s

famous, when he realises he misses his home or when he

returns.

Can you write a diary entry as the bear, imagining what he was

doing, how he was feeling and what he was thinking? Be

creative! He might have got up to more than what it says in the

book.

Here is one that has been done for you:

Dear Diary,

I have just had the worst boat journey ever. The waves were so big the boat

kept rocking from side to side. I felt so sick! Luckily, I have arrived now and

am safely in my new home. I am writing this from my bed. I have never had a

bed before but I really like them, they are so soft, snuggly and comfy. I

especially like the things called pillows! I could sleep in here all day long but I

have a very important job to do tonight. Hanging on my door is an extremely

posh suit and I have one of those bows that go round you neck. I’m feeling a

tiny bit nervous and at the same time excited to see the stage and hear the

audience applaud.

I will let you know how it all goes in tomorrow’s entry! For now, I’m off to

explore New York City! See ya!

Now it’s your turn! If you can type them up or take photos, the

teachers would love to read them!

9: ICT/ Making notes on what you find out.

Writing in notes is tricky! Remember not to write in full sentences, but it’s still

got to make sense to you.

Below is a little text all about David Litchfield, that you can use.

Can you find any more information about him too? Try using the internet to

search for information. Remember always use the internet safely and think

before you click. www.swiggle.org.uk is a child web search, but if you have a

grown up to help you, www.google.com works too.

All about David Litchfield

David Litchfield is an illustrator from Bedfordshire in the U.K.

He works for The Bright Agency.

David first started to draw when he was very young, creating Star Wars and Indiana Jones 'mash up' comics for his older brother and sister.

Since then David's work has appeared in magazines, newspapers, books and on T-shirts.

He has also showed his illustrations in shows in the U.K, Europe and America. David’s also is an author/ illustrator of children’s picture books like: ‘The Bear & The

Piano’ ‘Grandad’s Secret Giant’ and ‘The Bear, The Piano, The Dog & The Fiddle’.

He has also illustrated a number of picture books for authors such as Ross Montgomery, Andy Stanton and Sally Lloyd-Jones as

well as book covers for other authors.

He was the winner of Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for Best Illustrated Book in 2016 (The Bear & The Piano).

Use these prompt questions to find information:

How old is he?

When and where was he born?

Where does he come from?

What is his job?

How did he become an author/ illustrator?

What books has he written? Or Illustrated?

Has he won any awards?

Do you know any interesting facts about his life?

I’m sure you can think of many other questions to answer about him. Remember make notes!

10: Bears around the world/ map making:

Research these different bears to find out where they come from. Where their natural habitats are.

Type of Bear Where do they live? Interesting facts about them

Sun Bear

Sloth Bear

Spectacled (Andean)

Bear

American Black Bear

Asian (Asiatic) Black

Bear

Brown (grizzly) Bear

Polar Bear

Giant Panda

Here are some links that might help you: https://www.popsci.com/science/gallery/2013-06/bear-species-order-quality/ ,

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/how-many-types-of-bears-are-there.html, https://bearwithus.org/8-bears-of-the-world/,

https://www.kidzone.ws/lw/bears/facts09.htm Or you can use a search website to search the bears names.

Can you mark where they live on the world map? Either use the template or create your own!!

Challenge can you name and locate the 7 continents and 5 oceans too? Listen to the songs to help remind you! Continents song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxQ0WLlDxvU Oceans song: https://www.facebook.com/mrhuntsideas/videos/381139792319359/?v=381139792319359

11: writing a book review:

What is a book review? It’s a text that provides a brief summary of the story,

key information about the book and author and tells you what that person

thought about the book/ story.

Things to remember when writing a book review:

Our year 2 writing: Key book review information/ parts: Capital letters/ full stops

Full sentences – that make sense

Neat handwriting

Conjunctions – to join sentences

Spelling – hear the sounds/ use word mats

/ use sound mats.

Other punctuation - ? ! ‘ ,

Contractions

Up levelled words

Interesting, extra information

Re-read each sentence to check it.

Title of the book

Author and illustrators names

Short outline of what the book is about

Favourite part/ characters

Who the book written for

Would you recommend the book for other

people to read and why

Rate the book – give stars

Small picture or illustration from book.

CHALLENGE: Can you use a question? To ask the reader something… like…

‘Have you ever heard of this book?’ or ‘Do you like bears? Then you’ll love this book.’

You can either use the template below or create your own on a lined/ plain piece

of paper.

Would you/would you not recommend the book? Why?

Rating:

Who would this book be suitable for? Age/interests

What is the book about?

Book Review

Book Illustration

Book review by: ___________________________________________

Title: _______________________________________________________

Author: ____________________________________________________

Non fiction Fiction

12: Maths: Measuring paws:

Here are some measurements of different bear paws. Use a measuring tape or ruler to measure

out their sizes and draw them. You can either use chalk to draw them onto the floors outside,

or use paper and pencils to create the measurements.

Type of Bear Paw print measurement:

Sun Bear 9 cm long and 7 cm wide

Sloth Bear 5 cm long and 3 cm wide

Spectacled (Andean) Bear 26 cm long and 19cm wide

American Black Bear 31 cm long and 27.5 cm wide

Asian (Asiatic) Black Bear 24.5 cm long and 11 cm wide

Brown (grizzly) Bear 34.8 cm long and 29 cm wide

Polar Bear 37 cm long and 32 cm wide

Giant Panda 13cm long and 10 cm wide

Disclaimer: these measurements are not to scale they are made up for the task.

Example bear footprint shape.