Make copies of a simple bear shape on plain paper for each child. Choose whether to have them cut out the bears or use the whole sheets of paper for their booklets. Show the children pictures of bears, from grizzlies and polar bears, to pandas and koalas, then have them color their particular bear. Use this activity to have children practice printing the word "bear" or at least the letter "B." Provide printed rhymes or songs for the children to glue onto their bears. Set out some felt, craft fur and construction paper scraps. Encourage the children to cut out eyes, ears, a nose or snout for their bears. When the pages are finished, stack the full pages or cutouts then staple the class booklet along the left side or top.
Teach the children songs and poems about bears that include some simple actions, such as "Fuzzy Wuzzy," "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, Turn Around" and "The Bear Went Over the Mountain." Turn some familiar songs into bear songs as well. Substitute these words for "Row Your Boat" -- "Pat, pat, pat your bear. Rub him on his ear. Tell him he is your good friend. You're glad to have him here." Or for "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" -- "Polar, polar, polar bear. I love to see you with your white hair. You live in the icy North, and swim in the cold sea with your friends. Polar, polar, polar bear. I love to see you with your white hair."
Read one of the popular "What Do You See?" books, featuring bears. "Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?" focuses on sounds rather than sights. Have each child answer the question of "What do you hear?" or "What do you see?" Provide some bells, tapping sticks and shakers for sounds. Let the children find something they see in the classroom and say the word or go touch the item. Play a game with Baby Bear who is searching for his mother. The children will look for a stuffed bear hiding in the room.
Discuss what different types of food that bears eat. Tape a picture of a different bear onto three or more plastic buckets. Cut out shapes of fish, leaves, bamboo branches and bee hives from paper. Have small groups of children take turns reaching into a bag and drawing out a shape. Tell the students to put their shapes into the corresponding bucket for that particular type of bear that would eat the food.