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Copywork
About This Passage
Selected because the story's resolution is the opposite of the build-up. Minarik shows Little Bear adding clothing after clothing in the first half, then stripping it all off in the second half — until he is left with just his fur. The copywork lesson is in the rhythm of identical short sentences (took off, took off, took off, took off) that turn the story around.
"Now I have a hat, a coat, snowpants, and a fur coat," said Little Bear. But Little Bear was still cold. So Little Bear took off the fur coat. He took off the snowpants. He took off the coat. He took ...
Full copywork activity with handwriting lines available in the complete study guide.
Discussion Questions
Narration Prompt
In your own words, tell the story of this chapter. What were the most important moments? What made them important — and how do you know?
Discussion Questions
- Minarik structures the story as a build-up (more and more clothes) followed by a strip-down (take it all off). Why does she use this exact-reversal structure? What does it teach about how Little Bear figures out his answer?
- Mother Bear never tells Little Bear he already has fur. She quietly makes whatever he asks for. Argue whether her patience is wise teaching, gentle indulgence, or both at once.
+ 3 more questions in the complete study guide
Vocabulary Builder
Item 1
The soft thick hair that covers many animals; the warmth Little Bear has had all along without recognizing.
Item 2
An outer garment for warmth; one of the layers Little Bear keeps asking his mother to make.
Item 3
Heavy waterproof pants for playing in snow; the third addition to Little Bear's outfit.
+ 5 more vocabulary words in the complete study guide
Critical Thinking
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