Objective
By the end of this lesson, AJ will understand the key characteristics of winter, including its weather, the importance of warm clothing, how animals adapt, and the overall concept of seasons, particularly in Wisconsin.
Materials and Prep
- Warm clothing items (e.g., hats, gloves, scarves, jackets)
- Pictures of winter animals (e.g., bears, birds, etc.)
- Snow, ice, and sleet illustrations
- Winter-themed storybook
- Crayons and paper for drawing
Before the lesson, gather all materials and prepare a cozy winter corner with blankets and warm clothing items for AJ to explore.
Activities
-
Dress for Winter: AJ will explore different warm clothing items. Encourage AJ to dress up in hats, gloves, and scarves. Discuss why we wear these items in winter.
-
Winter Animals Exploration: Show AJ pictures of animals that live in winter. Talk about what these animals do to survive the cold. Encourage AJ to mimic animal movements (e.g., waddling like a penguin).
-
Winter Weather Art: Using crayons and paper, AJ can draw what he thinks winter looks like. Encourage him to include snow, ice, and animals.
-
Read a Winter Story: Choose a winter-themed storybook to read together. Ask AJ questions about the story to engage him further.
Talking Points
- "AJ, can you feel how warm this jacket is? It helps keep us cozy in the cold!"
- "Look at this picture of a bear! What do you think he does in winter? Some animals sleep a lot when it’s cold!"
- "What do you see in your drawing? Is there snow? Ice? What else do you want to add?"
- "Let’s read this story about winter! What do you think will happen next?"