I would like to try the ESERO activity set, about animals in the cold. I think this would be a really lovely lesson for junior infants, and also integrates nicely with Geography, and our Aistear theme of Antarctic. I would begin by having a group discussion about weather, different types of weather and how different parts of the world can have different climates. This is a good way to illicit prior knowledge from children. We can then focus in on the North and South pole and look at these places on a map of globe. Using the pictures of the polar bear and the penguin , we can this discuss how these animals keep themselves warm, and compare to how we stay warm…does a penguin put on gloves or a coat? for example. To then extend the learning even further, I would tell the children that these animals have a layer of grease covering their fur, which repels water and helps with staying warm. This is when we could to the hands on part of the lesson, using Vaseline. Rubbing a little bit of Vaseline on the children’s hands, and then pouring small amounts of water over that hand, so they can see the water glide off.
This lesson could also be followed up by nice art activities making polar bears and penguins. There are also a huge number of books and rhymes that have polar bears, snow bears, ice, etc which can lead to even further integration. I like how the lesson has a multi sensory approach, and it encourages the children to become aware of their senses when talking about weather. Feeling hot, feeling cold, feeling wet and cold etc.