Sleeping Through the Cold: An Introduction to Hibernation

Materials Needed

• A simple picture book about bears or squirrels in winter (e.g., a "touch and feel" book works well)
• Two soft blankets, pillows, or towels (for making dens)
• One small stuffed animal or toy figure of a bear, squirrel, or hedgehog
• One large box or laundry basket (the "cave" or "den")
• Sensory Bin materials (optional, but recommended): A container filled with shredded paper, cotton balls, or soft fabric scraps
• Optional: Calming music or soft nature sounds

Learning Objectives (The goals for today!)

By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:

1. Identify that some animals sleep when the weather is cold.
2. Use simple vocabulary like "sleepy," "cold," and "den" (or "cave").
3. Practice gross motor skills by safely crawling or walking slowly like a "sleepy animal."

Success Criteria

We know we succeeded when the learner:

• Points to the toy bear or squirrel when asked, "Which animal is sleepy?"
• Helps cover or hide the toy animal in the blanket or den.
• Says or repeats one new word: "cold" or "sleepy."

Part 1: The Introduction (Tell them what you'll teach)

The Hook: Feeling Cold and Sleepy (5 minutes)

Educator Talking Points:

• "Brrr! It is cold outside today! Let's pretend we are cold." (Model rubbing arms and shivering, using an exaggerated 'brrr' sound).
• "When it's cold, sometimes we get very, very sleepy." (Model a big yawn).
• "Today, we are learning about animals that take a very long nap when it gets cold. This long nap is called hibernation, but we can just say 'long sleep!'"

Stating the Objectives

Educator Talking Points:

• "We will learn which animals like to sleep a long, long time."
• "We will help our toy bear find a cozy place to sleep."

Part 2: The Body (Teach it)

Activity 1: I Do - Modeling the Nap (5 minutes)

Instructional Strategy: Modeling and Storytelling (Auditory/Visual)

I Do: Educator Demonstration

1. Hold up the stuffed animal (e.g., the Bear). "Look! Here is Mr. Bear. Mr. Bear feels the cold air. Brrr!"
2. "Mr. Bear is sleepy. He needs a place to be cozy and safe for his long sleep. He needs a den." (Point to the large box/basket designated as the den).
3. Carefully lay the bear inside the den and cover it completely with one blanket.
4. Whisper: "Shhh. Mr. Bear is sleeping. He is warm and safe."

Activity 2: We Do - Cozy Critters (7 minutes)

Instructional Strategy: Shared Reading and Guided Practice (Kinesthetic/Auditory)

We Do: Shared Practice

1. Read Together: Read the chosen simple picture book about winter animals or bears. Focus only on the pages showing the animals resting or sleeping. Point and name the animal.
   • Prompt: "Look at the squirrel. The squirrel is finding a cozy spot too. Is the squirrel cold? Yes! Sleepy? Yes!"
2. Make a Den: Gather the remaining blankets and pillows. Work together to make a small, cozy area on the floor.
   • Prompt: "Let's make a big pillow mountain. Is this soft? Yes. Is it dark? Yes. Good for a long sleep!"
3. Formative Check: Ask the learner to gently pat the blanket covering the toy bear and say, "Sleepy."

Activity 3: You Do - Hide and Sleep (8 minutes)

Instructional Strategy: Independent Practice (Sensory/Tactile/Motor)

You Do: Application

1. Sensory Bin Exploration (Fine Motor): Introduce the sensory bin (filled with shredded paper, cotton balls, or fabric scraps).
2. "These soft things are like leaves and snow. They keep the animals warm."
3. Ask the learner to take the toy bear out of the den. "Mr. Bear is hungry, but now he is sleepy again! Let's hide him under the cozy leaves so he can have a long nap."
4. Learner hides the bear/animal deep inside the sensory materials.
   • Success Criteria Check: Did the learner attempt to cover the animal?
5. Gross Motor Practice: The Sleepy Bear Walk: Ask the learner to pretend to be a very slow, sleepy bear walking to a cave (the laundry basket/box).
6. "Walk very slowly and heavy, like a sleepy bear. Find your cave!" (Encourage slow crawling or clumsy walking).
7. Once the learner reaches the den, encourage them to curl up and cover themselves for five seconds. "Shhh. Long nap."

Part 3: The Conclusion (Tell them what you taught)

Recap and Reflection (5 minutes)

Instructional Strategy: Reinforcement and Closure

Educator Talking Points:

• "Wow! We helped our bear get cozy for his long, long sleep. Why does the bear sleep so long?" (Guide them to say "Cold.")
• "That’s right! When it is cold, bears, squirrels, and hedgehogs take a big nap in their cozy den or cave."
• "We learned that being cozy and safe helps animals sleep when it is cold."
• (Hold up the toy animal): "Say 'Goodnight' to the sleepy animal. Goodnight!"

Summative Assessment: Sleepy Song

Sing a simple, short song (to the tune of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"):
"Sleepy bear is in his den,
Long, long nap, and then, and then...
Wake up when the cold is gone,
Sleepy bear, sleep all night long."

Assessment Method: Observe if the learner participates in the motions (yawning, patting the animal) and demonstrates understanding by covering the animal and saying "sleepy" or "cold."

Adaptability and Differentiation

Scaffolding (For learners needing extra support)

• Vocabulary: Focus only on one keyword ("Sleepy") and encourage non-verbal responses (pointing, nodding, shivering).
• Sensory Input: If the sensory bin is overwhelming, skip the filler material and just use a single, large piece of soft fabric (like velvet or fleece) to cover the animal.
• Physical Support: Use hand-over-hand assistance to help the learner gently place the animal and cover it.

Extension (For advanced engagement)

• Counting: If the learner has early counting skills, count the soft blankets or the number of toy animals (if using more than one) before they go to sleep.
• Choice & Autonomy: Ask the learner to choose which material makes the "coziest den" (giving them a choice between a soft pillow and a blanket).
• Drawing/Art: Provide a large sheet of paper and large crayons and ask them to make the bear a "cave" (simple scribbles are encouraged).

Context Adaptation

• Homeschool: Easily done with household linens and one sturdy box. The focus can be deeply individualized.
• Classroom/Training: If used in an early childhood setting, the "You Do" activity becomes a learning center. Multiple sensory bins can be set up, and the "Sleepy Bear Walk" can utilize a safe movement space. Adult trainers can use this plan to practice modeling simplified language and gross motor integration.