Objective
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand hibernation and learn about animals in winter.
Materials and Prep
- Paper
- Crayons or markers
- Books about hibernation and winter animals
- Optional: Animal figurines or stuffed animals
Activities
- Draw and Color: Have the student draw a picture of a winter scene with animals. Encourage them to include animals that hibernate during winter.
- Read Aloud: Choose a book about hibernation or winter animals and read it aloud to the student. Discuss the different animals mentioned in the book and their behaviors during winter.
- Animal Matching: Show the student pictures or figurines of different animals and ask them to match them with their corresponding hibernation behavior (e.g., bear-hibernates, squirrel-gathers food, etc.).
- Winter Animal Hunt: Hide pictures or figurines of winter animals around the room or outdoor area. Let the student search for them and identify each animal as they find them.
Preschool Grade Talking Points
- "In winter, some animals sleep for a long time. This is called hibernation."
- "When animals hibernate, they find a safe place to sleep and stay there until it gets warm again."
- "During hibernation, animals don't eat or drink much. They live off the fat they stored in their bodies."
- "Some animals, like bears, hibernate in caves. Others, like frogs, bury themselves in mud."
- "Animals that don't hibernate have to find food and stay warm in winter. They may grow thicker fur or feathers."
- "Some animals, like squirrels, gather food and store it for winter. They make a special place called a nest to keep them safe."
- "Let's learn about different animals that hibernate and how they survive winter."