Animals in Winter

Sorting Picture Cards

Sort animal picture cards by hibernate, migrate, and stay at home.

Picture cards on left are from http://www.shop.montessoriprintshop.com/searchquick-submit.sc?keywords=hibernate.  The pictures in the middle are from Mailbox Magazine October/November 2001 page 44.  The sorting mats on the bottom were borrowed from another teacher.



Predictable Chart Sentences

The students dictate a sentence for our predictable chart.  From this chart we create a classroom book, "Animals Getting Ready for Winter."



Examples of sentences: A bear hibernates.  A goose migrates.  A squirrel stays at home.

Animals Getting Ready for Winter poem

This poem is from Mailbox Magazine October/November 2001 page 42.  Our class always adds 2-3 poems a week to our Poetry Notebook. 

Who Needs a Coat? booklet

This booklet is also from Mailbox Magazine October/November 2001 pages 45-46.

 What is Under the Ice?

I take a plastic frog, fish, and snake and place in the bottom of a bowl.  Cover the animals with water and freeze over night.  When the students arrive at school they get to estimate when they think the ice will be melted enough to 'see what's under the ice.'  We brainstorm ways to make the salt melt faster so we always help the ice melt by pouring salt on it and placing it near the heat.  We then do a writing, art activity.

 

Who Am I?

Create headbands from animal cards for the students to wear during this guessing game.  The student who wears the headbands asks, "Do I hibernate?"  The others answer, "No."  The student asks, "Do I migrate?" The others say, "No."  The student asks, "Do I stay active?"  The other students say, "Yes!"  The student asks, "Am I a squirrel?"  The other students say, "No."  The student asks, "Am I a fox?" The others say, "Yes!"  Play continues with another student wearing the animal headband.