Sunday, January 13, 2013

Learning About Animals That Hibernate

As part of our winter study this past week, the students brainstormed animals that hibernate. I wrote their ideas on this chart. We then went thru the list to see if most students agreed that those specific animals hibernate. I circled those, and then we were ready to get more information and do some research. {Chart idea: Once we're finished with our study, I will cut the bottom of the chart, so I can use it again. I will place a new piece of chart paper under it to use for recording next year.}


Brainstorming ideas gives so much information to the teacher about students' prior knowledge. We discussed the meaning of hibernation, and then I read these two books.

Sleep, Black Bear, Sleep by Jane Yolen

I'm always so pleased to find a Jane Yolen book. In this book, she tells about animals that hibernate and slumber in burrows, dens, and caves during the winter. The story is told thru rhyme.

When It Starts to Snow by Phillis Gershator

Thru reading this book, students learn what animals, such as geese, fish, and beavers, do when it snows. It has a repetitive rhyme that students can chant and read along with the teacher as they learn about what animals do and where they go in winter.

Our next steps this week are to delve into learning more about individual animals that hibernate in winter. We will be deleting animals from our list and adding new ones we learn about. Children will use this printable to record information they learn.

Click on the picture to download for FREE.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Getting ready to watch the Golden Globes.




7 comments:

  1. Looks great! This is what we're studying now, too. Thanks for the freebie.
    Barbara
    Grade ONEderful
    Ruby Slippers Blog Designs

    ReplyDelete
  2. Those 2 books look great! I like in your freebie that you have the students read what they have written to other friends. Great idea!
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm so glad to come across your blog, so many great ideas! Thanks for the freebies :)
    ☼Libby
    First Grade Dual

    ReplyDelete
  4. Found you via Pinterest (looking for hibernation ideas)... thank you for the freebie... I am your newest follower... and your blog is gorgeous by the way!!!
    Stacy
    Funky Fresh Firsties

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.