The Very Cranky Bear: Who Am I? is a fun and engaging task designed to be completed after a whole class reading of The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland.

Students will be challenged to write a description of a character from the story before covering the image with a flap. They will need to consider the language used in the text, the interactions of the character, and items that the character may encounter. Using bold clipart and a playful design, students will be motivated to write captivating descriptions and colour their hidden picture beautifully. A blank version is also included, allowing students to draw the character themselves.

Both 24mm and 18mm line options are provided for this task; however, younger students may benefit from having the templates enlarged to A3 size to give them extra space for writing and drawing.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Practise descriptive writing skills
• ✅ Demonstrate comprehension of character traits and actions
• ✅ Build oral language skills through discussion and guessing games
• ✅ Develop flexible thinking and creativity in writing and visual representation
• ✅ Strengthen understanding of story elements through playful learning

What’s Included:

• Who Am I? character writing template with image to cover
• Who Am I? blank version for students to draw their own character
• Flap template to cover the image (print on coloured paper for best effect)
• Writing templates provided in both 24mm and 18mm line options

Materials Needed:

• Printed The Very Cranky Bear: Who Am I? templates
• Pencils, crayons, markers
• Scissors and glue (for attaching the flap)
• Coloured paper (optional, for flaps)

How to Use:

1. Read The Very Cranky Bear with your class.
2. Discuss the characters and their traits, actions, and key interactions in the story.
3. Students select a character and write a descriptive paragraph about them, using clues from the text.
4. Students colour or draw their chosen character and cover it with a flap.
5. Create a conversational display where students read and guess which character is under each flap based on the written description.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use as an independent comprehension task after reading The Very Cranky Bear.
• 💡 Include in a literacy rotation for descriptive writing and comprehension practise.
• 💡 Use for assessment evidence of students’ understanding of character and descriptive writing.
• 💡 Add to a relief folder as a no-prep literacy activity linked to a familiar text.

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Print the flaps on coloured paper to add a bright, inviting touch to your classroom display.
• 💛 Model writing a sample “Who Am I?” description with the class before students begin.
• 💛 Encourage students to use vivid, descriptive language and avoid naming the character in their writing.
• 💛 Provide time for students to walk around the display and read each other's descriptions, fostering oral language development and classroom discussion.

The Very Cranky Bear: Who Am I? is a versatile and engaging activity that builds comprehension, writing, and oral language skills in a fun and interactive way. It’s the perfect companion to your literacy unit on this much-loved text!

Check out more amazing resources related to The Very Cranky Bear in our The Very Cranky Bear PACKAGE.

Available in our basic fun font and all Australian state fonts.