When I told my mom we were reading a book about a dancing bear, she asked if it took place in Russia. Some traditions and heritage just ring true. I wonder how many dancing bears are in Russia nowadays? Hopefully none, as I understand there was some abuse with it, but this picture book has none of that and all the sweetness of it! How encouraging the friend is and how determined the bear to learn!
Social Studies
I had no idea about much of St Petersburg except for the Onion Domes, which was pretty fun to try and duplicate on our own on paper. We talked a lot about bridges and jobs – including what jobs we might want when we grow up. I think when I grow up, I’d like to work in a library! The littles want to be an electrician and a babysitter.
I also like to teach the kids about immigrants – they are descended from immigrants after all! And we learn so much about the challenges of moving to a new place, but also how peoples’ lives can look similar and different on either side of immigration. Nathan’s Song was a good book for that.
Art
These Sesame Street Science books are excellent introductions to science and art. I highly recommend them! We also looked at architecture and unique buildings in Russia.
Science
States of Matter is a fun thing to explore, especially with something as simple as ice. We took ice cubes from the freezer, watched them melt, and then boiled the same water on the stove. We also captured some of the steam and watched it turn into liquid water again.
While I don’t have a samovar in our house, I frequently drink tea and we enjoyed some of my sweeter/fruity types together.
Other books
These books were awesome accompaniments to our lessons! I have two lefties in our house (me and dad are both right-handed so it’s fun!) Anya imagines a secret society where left-handed artists gather together. But when she comes to the US, she doesn’t feel she needs to hide it as much. My husband’s grandmother was a lefty and was forced to only write with her right hand. I’m glad my kids don’t have to go through anything like that.
Poem: Bear by unknown
Big bear, big bear,
Hunting near the trees.
Feasting on the honeycomb
Made by busy bees.
Bzzz, bzzzz, bzzzz
Big bear, big bear,
Wading in the lake.
Fish is your favourite dish:
Which one will you take?
Swish, swish, swish
Big bear, big bear,
Resting in your den.
Sleeping through the winter
Before you’re out again.
Zzz, zzz, zzz
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Complete Booklist:
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- “Another Celebrated Dancing Bear” by Gladys Scheffrin-Falk
- “Ayo’s Awesome Adventures in St Petersburg” by Kim O’Connor
- “Nathan’s Song” by Leda Schubert
- “Richard Scarry’s Busy Busy People” by RIchard Scarry
- “Color: A Sesame Street Science Book” by Susan B Katz
- “How the Tsar Drinks Tea” by Benjamin Elkin
- “States of Matter: A Sesame Street Science Book” by Marie-Therese Miller
- “Anya’s Secret Society” by Yevgenia Nayberg
- “Bear’s Big Dreaming” by Michael Rosen
Xapa to the World 