Last year, I used the ESERO 7 Animals in the Cold lesson with my Senior Infants class. The students were immersed in the theme of Polar Exploration for a period of six weeks. This lesson was incorporated as a station during our Integrated Learning through Play sessions. The children were particularly enthusiastic about the hands-on aspect of using vaseline in the experiment. They were fascinated by how it simulated the insulating properties of blubber, which helps animals survive in cold environments. Following the structured part of the lesson, the children were given time for child-led play. They eagerly used the water, penguins, and polar bear figurines that we had employed during the experiment. This free play allowed them to reinforce their learning through imaginative scenarios and role-playing. Overall, the activity was a hit and effectively combined educational content with engaging, playful experiences, making the concept of Polar Exploration both fun and memorable for the children.
