The Bear Book is a compilation of stories about all 8 species of bears worldwide.  The Curriculum Guide to The Bear Book includes 8 STEM lessons rooted in bear research, ecology, and conservation.  Lessons link to stories in The Bear Book and to scientific papers on wild bear research.  

This education program includes several optional supplemental materials.

All materials are available for free download at the bottom of this page.

• Targets youth in grades 9-12 
• Addresses STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) goals
• Meets National Science Standards
• 4 lessons link to 4 stories in The Bear Book
• 3 lessons link to scientific papers on wild bears
• Includes 2 optional power point slide shows
• Includes a Primer on the 8 Species of Bears (teachers can download and share with students)

Because the Curriculum Guide to The Bear Book is intended for teachers and other educators, it is passcode protected.

Contact Melissa Reynolds Hogland (melissa@beartrust.org) and let us know the name of your school.  After we verify your teaching status, we will send you a passcode so you can download the Curriculum Guide to The Bear Book. 

We are currently conducting a pilot study to test the Curriculum Guide to The Bear Book in the classroom.  To date, students and teachers in 17 states are participating in our pilot study, which concludes December 15, 2012.  If you would like to join our pilot study, please contact Melissa Reynolds-Hogland:  melissa@beartrust.org. 

Download Education Materials:

1.  The Bear Book 

You can download the entire THE BEAR BOOK

or download the following single chapters that link to lessons in the Curriculum Guide to The Bear Book:

 “In the Market for Bears”  (links to Lesson 1A and Lesson 1B)

“Views from the Bear Den”   (links to Lesson 2A)

“El Patron”   (links to Lesson 4)

“Yinda a Strange Family Member”   (links to Lesson 7)

2.  The Curriculum Guide to The Bear Book

Curriculum Guide is passcode protected; please contact Melissa Reynolds-Hogland: melissa@beartrust.org to get passcode

3.  Scientific paper for Lesson 2B    (“Microhabitat Characteristics of American Black Bear Nest Dens”)

Permission for use by International Association for Bear Research and Management, Copyright holder

4.  Scientific paper for Lesson 3     (“Hazards Affecting Grizzly Bear Survival in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem”)

Permission for online use by USGS Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team

5.  Scientific paper for Lesson 5    (“Does Aversive Conditioning Reduce Human-Black Bear Conflict?”)

Permission for online use by author

6.  Primer on the 8 Species of Bears  (includes photos and information about each species)

7.  Power point slide show:  The 8 Species of Bears (includes photos only)

8.  Power point slide show:  Adaptive Strategies with Dialog Notes (for Lesson 2A)

NOTE:  This power point slide show is a large file, so please be patient.  It will be worth the wait. 

9. Updates, Information, and STEPS for participating in the Pilot Study