State and Model the Objective
Tell the children that they will bake a cake for Birthday Bear as they listen for words that start with the /b/ sound, such as bear, bake, bowl, and birthday.

Literacy Activities
Feed the bear

• Show the children the stuffed bear or Birthday Bear picture (see below).
• Tell them that it is Birthday Bear's birthday, emphasizing the /b/ sounds.
• Show the children the bowl, spoon, and spoon and objects or picture cards (see below).
• Explain that only things that begin with the /b/ sound can go in the birthday cake batter.
• Hold up objects or pictures and ask, “Could we put a ___ (bug) in the batter?”
• If the item starts with /b/, have the children put it in the bowl.
• If the object or picture begins with /b/, let the children put it in the pan and stir it with the spoon.

• Once all the /b/ items are in the batter, let the children pretend to feed it to the bear, saying, “Have a bit of ___ (batter, or 

  name of item they scoop up), Birthday Bear!”

• Put the pan in the box or play oven and pretend to “bake” Birthday bear’s birthday cake (optional).

   

Identify and trace the target sound

• Invite the children to make birthday cards for Birthday Bear, explaining that he likes things that begin with the /b/ sound best.
• Encourage them to write the letter B or draw or paste pictures of objects that begin with /b/.
• While the children make cards, say together, “Birthday Bear is my best bud!” emphasizing the /b/ sound.
• Let the children turn to a neighbor and say the names of the /b/ sound objects on their cards.
• Have the children point to each B on their cards and make the /b/ sound.