Dr. Donna's Review


Themes & Other Things

The opportunity to see Bob the Builder and his friends sharing the big screen with live action footage from real construction sites will be great fun for the youngest kids and delight older children who remember Bob from their earlier days. 

In this classic Bob the Builder format that mixes the traditional Bob with live action footage, there are two major themes.  The first is to introduce children to the three steps required to build a road. The second is to introduce children to the three basic types of bridges and how they are built.  In the development of each theme, children have the opportunity to see many examples of heavy duty construction equipment and their use in the building process.

Things to Talk About

“Bob the Builder, Roads and Bridges” provides a great opportunity to help your kids with several important skills:

  • Reinforce understanding and memory by asking children to remember the three steps required to build a road: 1. Dig out the road. 2. Put down the foundation. 3. Lay the road.
  • Talk about the importance of each step and particularly why the steps should be performed in the correct order.
  • Reinforce understanding and memory by asking kids to remember the three kinds of bridges: 1. Beal with supports. 2. Arch. 3. Suspension with cables.

  • Talk to your kids about the importance of working together as part of a team.  This  is illustrated by both Bob and his friends and by the workers in the live action footage.  Ask your kids about their own experiences working with others as a team. 

    Draw your kids attention to the fact that both Bob and his real-life construction counterparts make use of computers in their daily work. 

    • Activity Ideas
    Have children draw pictures of their favorite piece of road equipment.  Give each piece of equipment, like Bob has, and write it on the picture.   Put the picture on the fridge for everyone to see.

    Have children illustrate the three steps to building a road. Label each step and post the picture for everyone to see.

    Have children illustrate the three types of bridges. Label each type and post the picture for everyone to see.

    Provide the tools for children to build a short road just like the kids in the movie.

    Stop at road and bridge construction sites so that children can identify pieces of equipment and talk about what is happening. 

    Help your kids to build their vocabulary by reviewing and discussing these words from the movie:

    Surveyor
    Backhoe
    Cement and concrete
    On-site
    Steel reinforcing rods
    Asphalt
    Arch
    Girders
    Intersection
    Demolishing

    Book Suggestions
    These books are recommended to encourage you to read to and with children about the themes from the movie.

    “Get to Work, Tucks!” by Don Carter

    “The Construction Alphabet Book”  Written by Jerry Pallotta. Illustrated by Rob Bolster.

    “Construction Zone” Written by Tana Hoban

    “Pop’s Bridge” Written by Eve Bunting.  Illustrated by C. F. Payne