Doc Bear's Life-skills Reading Program
Doc Bear is a life and health reading program designed to get children to read about health issues, such as safety, hand washing, disease prevention, and making healthy choices. Each story includes a Doc Bear Adventure related to a life and health issue, Doc Bear's take on it, and the skills involved. The instructor reads the Doc Bear Adventure Big Book and/or Reader (Grades K-5) story and then proceeds with a skills lesson based on that story. For example, Doc Bear visits Lucinda (aka Lucy) , his friend, and notices that she washes her hands before eating, and after playing with her toys, etc. He hears her singing something while washing her hands, but can't quite make it out. He tells Lucy how smart she is and asks her how she remembers to always wash her hands. The lesson on hand washing reviews the "secret" Lucy shared with Doc Bear. Doc Bear thinks Lucy's "secret" is too important to stay a secret and asks her if he could share it with everyone. She says yes. Doc Bear ends each story with a "word of wisdom" and then happily moves on to his next adventure. Each lessons becomes a story with a skills follow-up lesson!
Time recommended for each lesson: 35 minutes; Warm-up Activity (sing a health song, read a poem, chant a cheer, play a game, etc.), read a Doc Bear Adventure story, and teach ONE specific skill per lesson.
Puppetry Required: minimal (Doc Bear never speaks but whispers to the instructor) See
"Power of the Puppet."
Who "really" teaches" the lesson: Doc Bear; all of the children will be watching Doc Bear. Take advantage of this and watch your children learn to Read and make HEALTHY decisions! See
"Power of the Puppet."
Each 30-45 minute lesson consists of the following:
1. Lesson Plan (as listed above)
2. Start Up Activity
3. Doc Bear Adventure Story
4. Handout
5. Certificate
6. Parent "Take It Home" letter, and
7. Doc's Words of Wisdom: Character Education
and Supporting Materials include:
1. Four-page newsletter, and
2. Posters
(see right panel for links to the items lissted above)
Warning: If you're looking for facts-only lessons, this curriculum is not for you. If you're looking for a lecture series, this curriculum is not for you. If you're looking for a curriculum requiring that children "sit still intheir seats," this is not for you.
Doc Bear's emphasis is on reading and health SKILLS, not information. Functional knowledge is our emphasis (information that can be used to practice the skill). Facts about health, typically do NOT, translate into healthy behaviors, or healthy decision making. (Read Hamburger Health Education!) Reading, or listening to stories, and then practicing skills related to that story, have a have a better chance of promotiong the adoption of healthy behaviors as well as improved reading skills and behaviors!
