Bears on Wheels
The Berenstain Bears Series
on Goodreads (14,308)
What’s inside...
An acrobatic act begins with one bear on a unicycle and ends with twenty-one bears and sixteen wheels flying through the air. As the gradually increasing number of bears on wheels adds up through all kinds of combinations and permutations, beginning readers are offered a unique counting book, courtesy of the Berenstains.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
36 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the bears felt when they were all riding on different numbers of wheels?
How did the number of wheels affect the bears' adventures? Can we count them together?
Why do you think the bears chose to ride together at the end?
What would you do if you had a bike like one of the bears? Where would you go?
How did the bears work together? Do you think teamwork is important?
Tip: Role play these questions
To enhance your child’s engagement with 'Bears on Wheels', focus on the visual elements like the colors and the number of wheels. Encourage counting the wheels aloud together. Talk about the importance of teamwork as shown by the bears riding together. Relate the story to your child’s experiences with bicycles or teamwork in games and ask how they feel about them. Praise their responses to foster a positive reading environment.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Counting Skills
Explanation: As the number of bears on bikes increases, children are encouraged to count along, enhancing their numerical literacy.
Real-World Application: Children can apply counting skills to everyday situations, like counting toys, steps, or people in a room to reinforce their understanding of numbers.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The bears work together to balance on the wheels, illustrating the importance of cooperation.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in playground games or group projects at school, where working together is crucial for achieving a goal.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The bears encounter various challenges as more of them get on the bike, prompting them to find creative solutions.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think critically and solve problems when they face puzzles or challenging tasks in their daily life.
Example Lesson: Understanding Consequences
Explanation: The story shows that actions, like adding more bears on the bike, have direct consequences.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to consider the outcomes of their actions in family or school settings, fostering responsible behavior.
Example Lesson: Enjoyment in Learning
Explanation: The fun and engaging narrative keeps children entertained while learning.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to find joy in learning new things, whether reading new books or exploring new hobbies.