At CCNS, our 3s classroom is a space where curiosity leads the way, and learning feels like an adventure! Guided by our nurturing and creative staff, children embark on in-depth explorations of topics that ignite their imaginations, foster collaboration, and build foundational skills across literacy, math, social studies, and science.
We’re excited to share how our 3s explored the classic tale of The Three Bears. This unit beautifully showcases the power of scaffolding and how children become lifelong learners as they find their voices and identities within our thoughtfully crafted curriculum. Through this beloved story, our children developed independence, confidence, and critical thinking while delighting in hands-on, play-based learning experiences.
Classroom Exploration of “The Three Bears”
The classroom centers buzzed with excitement as they brought the story to life! Here’s a glimpse at some of the engaging activities:
- Playdough Creations: Children made and molded homemade playdough into their own versions of the three bears, honing fine motor skills and exploring creativity.
- Dramatic Play: Our dramatic play area transformed into the bears’ cozy cottage, complete with bears, bowls and chairs that were “too big, too small, and just right!” Here, children role-played as Goldilocks or one of the bears, practicing empathy and social skills.
- Block Building: In the block area, children constructed houses and experimented with props grouped in threes, developing spatial awareness and problem-solving abilities while providing another space to act out the story.
- Cooking Together: Making porridge was a highlight! Children measured, stirred, and chose a “just right” bowl to taste their creation, integrating math and sensory experiences.
- Storytelling with Puppets & Peers: Acting out the story with puppets in small groups encouraged collaboration, sequencing, and narrative skills.
A Literary Adventure
Our unit began with a classic reading of The Three Bears and a discussion of how fairy tales often start with “Once Upon a Time.” This opened the door for children to create their own imaginative versions of the story as well as explore the idea of non-fiction vs make believe.
We explored adaptations like Jan Brett’s The Three Snow Bears and other creative retellings. The children were thrilled to compare and contrast these versions, noticing details such as:
- Different types of bears—from polar bears to panda bears!
- Goldilocks’ recurring role in every story.
- Unique cultural elements, such as a Lunar New Year setting.
These comparisons sparked lively discussions and fostered critical thinking as the children identified similarities and differences between the tales.
Becoming Confident Storytellers
The unit culminated in the children writing their very own versions of The Three Bears. They were encouraged to choose any type of bear, explore ideas for a setting, include themselves in the story if they wanted and decide whether their tale would be factual or fantastical. The results were as unique as each child, filled with creativity, humor, and heart.
This process strengthened their comprehension, sequencing, and communication skills while boosting their confidence as budding storytellers.
Why CCNS?
As a parent-run cooperative preschool, CCNS offers a uniquely supportive and enriching environment for families. Our collaborative model creates a close-knit community where parents play an active role in shaping their child’s educational journey.
Our curriculum combines academic excellence with play-based learning, ensuring that every child’s social, emotional, and intellectual development is nurtured. At CCNS, every day is an adventure, and every child’s voice is celebrated.
Join Our Community
With two spots available in next year’s 3s classroom, we invite your family to experience the magic of CCNS. If you’d like to learn more or schedule a visit, please contact us at admin@ccnsct.org. We’d love to welcome you to our community!