Mini Picturebook Lesson 12: Bumblebear by Nadia Shireen

Notes

Synopsis	Norman is a bear who loves honey. He disguises himself as a bee to enter Bee School where he hopes he will have an endless supply of honey.
Lesson access	via url-link or QR-Code
Equipment for child	tablet, phone or laptop, internet connection, perhaps headphones
Materials	dictionary (online or paper), craft materials
Language Skills	listening, vocabulary (verbs), speaking (read aloud)
Cross-curricular Links	science, maths
Values	Friendship and loyalty, heroes and villains, identity, accepting differences
World Event Day	World Bee Day

Equipment: dictionary (online or paper), tablet or laptop & internet connection and perhaps headphones

Materials for your Bumblebear or Bumble-Creature: paper, coloured pens and pencils

Time: 20-30 minutes

STEP 1: Look at the Cover

Look	What do you see on the front cover? Creatures, colours, shapes, facial expressions.
Look	Count the bees. What do you notice about some of the bees?
Think	Look at the title. Replace the final two letters ‘ar’ with ‘e’. What word do you get?
Research	What do bees make?
Research	What is one thing bears love to eat?
Check	Look up the word ‘tricky’. Can you think of another word for ‘tricky’? How do you say ‘tricky’ in your language?
Check	Look up the word ‘suspicious’. How do you say ‘suspicious’ in your language?
Predict	Why do you think the bear is disguised as a bee?

Step 2 and Step 3: Listen and Watch

Part A	Listen and watch for general understanding and enjoyment.
Part B	Listen and watch again and answer the questions, pause and replay when you need to.
	What is the bear’s name and what does he love?
	What is Norman’s brilliant idea?
	Who is the ‘new bee’ at bee school?
	Where does the ‘new bee’ say he is from?
	What do the bees learn at bee school?
	What is the name of the bee who is suspicious about Norman?
	What other creatures like honey?
	What happened when the suspicious bee took Norman to the bee’s secret honey store?
	Why was Norman asked to leave bee school?
	What happened later that night?
	How did Norman save the bees?

Step 4: Add your Voice

Review	Remember the different things the bees learn at bee school.
Create	Draw or make your own bumblebear or another ‘bumble creature’ costume. (see link below)
Create	Make your own bumblebear daily planner.
Move	Do your own ‘buzzing practice’ and ‘waggle dancing’ like a bee.
Research	Find out five facts about bees. See if you can find out something about the ‘waggle dance’.
Research	Find out three reasons why honey is good for you.
Think	Why do you think Nadia Shireen chose the title ‘The Bumblebear’?
Think	What do you think is the message of this story?
Your opinion	Do you think Norman is a hero or a villain?
Your opinion	Which is your favourite part of the story? Why?