A StoryWalk is a book, told with a series of signs, planted outdoors along a walk, that take you through each page of a book. You follow along, walking from one ‘page’ of a story to the next. It is a walk, and it is reading.
What if a StoryWalk included more than reading the story? For preschoolers, adding movement and all sorts of challenges to each ‘page’ makes it even more exciting. The perfect book, of course, is Brown Bear, Brown Bear, by Bill Martin Jr and illustrated by Eric Carle.
This classic and beloved book is our new StoryWalk at school. Children love it! After our walk, back in the classroom, Connor blurted out, “I love doing the blue horse.” This ignited a flurry of excited children telling everyone their favorite page.
“Lumber like a brown bear on your hands and feet.”
And the pages continue:
“Lift your red wings and flap. Fly to number 3.”
“Waddle and quack like a duck, at the same time.”
“Gallop in a circle.”
No wonder this was so popular. And there were more favorites:
“Arch your back and stretch like a cat.”
“How many goldfish fins can you count?”
“Clap for your friends.”
Books and reading are fundamental to learning, and to stirring the imagination. When children can do the book, the interest is even greater. This is akin to acting out a story with a play performance, but with calculated movements that are important to gross motor development. Children have fun – they’re inspired by the story, challenged to move, count, and even breathe. “Take a sheep breath. Deep breath in, baaaa breath out.”
Thank you, Bill Martin Jr AND Eric Carle, for giving children a wonderful book with so many opportunities.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 