Kindergarten students at Sierra Canyon School engaged in a week-long teddy bear unit that combined literacy development, scientific inquiry, and design thinking, culminating in a beloved tradition—the Teddy Bear Picnic.
Students kicked off their bear-themed learning with a comparative literature study examining different versions of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. They also enjoyed favorites such as Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?, Corduroy, and Old Bear, blending imagination with early literacy throughout the week.
On Thursday, students brought their own teddy bears to school and transitioned into the role of scientific investigators by conducting a gummy bear experiment. Some predicted the candies would dissolve in the water, while others thought they might grow—an idea confirmed the next day when they observed the results and documented their conclusions. That afternoon, they tucked their stuffed friends into cozy classroom spots for a special sleepover at Sierra Canyon.
Friday brought a full day of learning and celebration. Students reunited with their bears and completed an "All About My Teddy" project, using math and measurement skills to record details such as their bear’s size, height, and weight. They also stepped into the role of engineers, building beds sturdy enough to hold "Goldilocks" using MAGNA-TILES, Unifix cubes, wooden blocks, and LEGOs. The week culminated in the Teddy Bear Picnic, an annual community-building celebration where students shared snacks with their classmates and teddy bears before heading home.
The week offered a playful example of how Sierra Canyon weaves STEAM—science, technology, engineering, arts, and math—into Kindergarten life, giving students a bear-y special experience where joyful tradition meets discovery.
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