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Brown Like a Bear

November is a great time to focus on learning about the color brown.

• Read the classic picture book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (Henry Holt, 1996) by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle.

• Jacquie McTaggart, author of From the Teacher's Desk (Anderson, 1997), suggests creating your own "brown bear" using old coffee grounds.

You'll need:
Sturdy construction paper
Air dried coffee grounds
Non-toxic white glue
Colored cotton balls, plastic "googly eyes" or anything else you think might be fun for the bear's eyes and nose

Here's what you do:
First, draw or trace the shape of a bear on the sturdy construction paper. Then help your child glue the "eyes" and "nose" onto the bear. Finally, your child can fill in the "fur." Rub glue into the bear shape, and while it's still wet, sprinkle with dried coffee grounds. Remember, small children need CONSTANT supervision while working on crafts, as any small materials could be a choking hazard.

• Make chocolate pudding! Many instant pudding mixes can be prepared simply by pouring the pudding mix and the desired amount of milk into a clear, tightly lidded plastic container, then shaking until the pudding sets. It's a delicious way to enjoy the color brown.

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