1. Prop Box Presentation “Teddy’ s Picnic” By: Alexis Asay FHS 2620

2. “Picnics” Think of warm weather and sunny skies. How does having a picnic with your child's favorite furry friend sound? This lesson incorporates aspects of the visual arts and dramatic play into a fun filled day of learning.

3. Goals  Social Development Goal: To enjoy dramatic play with other friends and cooperate well with small groups of children. 1.Gain new vocabulary skills (these can be words related to picnics, spring, weather, or art). 2.Increase awareness of nature/ environment, and seasons. 3.Develop an understanding for what a picnic is.  Creative Dramatic Play Goal: Explore nature as they see it and sit with friends while sharing a snack. Think of warm weather and sunny skies. How does having a picnic with your favorite furry friend sound? This lesson incorporates aspects of the visual arts and dramatic play into a fun filled day of learning.

4. Activity: As an activity for my Teddy Bear Picnic Unit, each student brings in their favorite Teddy from home to take along with them in our ‘Picnic Park’ dramatic play area. All students sit during circle time with their bear in their lap and with the child’s name attached to the bear so not to get lost or confused with other or similar teddy bears brought in class. As a language activity, each child introduces their bear, tells its name and why it is special. It is like introducing a special friend to class and also they don’t have to bring a teddy bear, it can be dog, cat, their favorite superhero, etc. With introductions aside you may read a book to go along with the theme, such as the “The Bear’s Picnic” by, Jimmy Kennedy and illustrated by, Alexandra Day and then teach the m the song that goes along with the story or do the song “We’re Going On A Bear Hunt”. Then you can introduce the kids to your ‘Picnic Park’ in the dramatic play area. You can set it up as a park with trees and flowered bushes, and park benches. Have picnic baskets, backpacks, utensils, pretend made foods, tea sets, flash lights or lanterns, some table clothes, some little toy ants to crawl on the materials, and some extra furry friends like squirrels and teddy bears.

5. Questions: 1.Who would you take along on your picnic? Friends and family? Your teddy bear? 2.Where would you like to go on your picnic? What places would you go? 3.What foods can you take on a picnic? What’s healthy and able? Your favorite foods to take along? 4.What will you see sitting or exploring during your picnic? What animals are there? What plant life resides there?

6. Materials: The materials for this activity are very open. You should feel free to alter materials as needed (or based on availability).  Teddy bears  Picnic blanket  Utensils  Flash lights or lanterns  Food containers  Paper plates  Food: either real or play

7. Story & Song  “The Bear’s Picnic” By, Jimmy Kennedy and illustrated by, Alexandra Day

8. Teddy Bear Picnic Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-fJlykpGjY&feature If you go out in the woods today You're sure of a big surprise. If you go out in the woods today You'd better go in disguise. For every bear that ever there was Will gather there for certain, because Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic. Picnic time for teddy bears, The little teddy bears are having a lovely time today. Watch them, catch them unawares, And see them picnic on their holiday. See them gaily dance about. They love to play and shout. And never have any cares. At six o'clock their mommies and daddies Will take them home to bed Because they're tired little teddy bears. Every teddy bear, that's been good Is sure of a treat today There's lots of wonderful things to eat And wonderful games to play Beneath the trees, where nobody sees They'll hide and seek as long as they please Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic. CHORUS

9. To conclude: Make it Fun!  Make sure that all teddy bears have a seat at the picnic blanket. Encourage the children to make up stories for their bears. Each child may want to introduce his or her special furry friend. This time should be filled with imagination. If you are using pretend food, invite the children to act out a real picnic. This may include feeding the bears, feeding themselves, preparing food, and sharing.