Bear Says Thanks is part of our Starts With a Story Collection, which includes more than 550 picture book companions based on high quality children’s literature that support you in delivering highly-engaging interactive read alouds with follow up activities. Learn more about this children’s book below! - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
In "Bear Says Thanks" by Karma Wilson, Bear realizes that he has nothing to share when his friends bring delicious food to his cave for a feast. Feeling grateful for their generosity, Bear decides to host a gathering to express his gratitude. However, he struggles to find something to contribute. One by one, his friends offer their own tasty treats, and Bear realizes that he can say thanks by providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The animals gather around the big wooden table, sharing their food and stories, and Bear realizes that the greatest gift of all is the company of his friends. The book teaches the importance of gratitude, friendship, and the joy of coming together.
 USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Our read aloud lesson plans for this picture book come with reading comprehension questions (with sample student responses), 30 writing prompts, teaching ideas for grammar skills, social emotional learning discussion ideas, and more. Check out our list below to get a sneak peek at some of the skills this resource teaches.
- Encourage students to use their summarizing and retelling strategies.
- Analyze the setting of this book. Discuss where and when it takes place.
- Have students sequence the important events in the story. This is an important skill when it comes to retelling a story.
- Discuss the author’s use of rhyme and rhythm in this book.
- Identifying the theme, message, or moral is an important skill that takes a lot of practice. Use this story as an opportunity to help your students with this reading strategy.
- Introduce homophones and discuss the multiple meanings of homophones in this book.
- Explore prepositions and how they describe nouns or pronouns.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30Â writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
This book is a must have for your school or classroom library. Your students are going to love completing these activities for the book and you will be impressed with how much they learn. You will want to read this book to your class every year.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will love the similar books listed below, which can all be found in our free picture book list.
- Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora
- Bear's Loose Tooth by Karma Wilson
- Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
