Activity-Based Lesson: Animals in the Cold
Materials:
Pictures of Arctic and Antarctic animals (polar bears, penguins, seals, etc.)
Printable animal worksheets
Crayons
A large bowl of ice water
Rubber gloves
Short video about Arctic animals
Introduction
Engage: Show a short video about Arctic animals. Discuss what they noticed about the animals and how they survive in the cold.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-9xDztBhzE
Development
Animal Adaptations:
Show pictures of different Arctic and Antarctic animals.
Explain how each animal stays warm. For example, polar bears have thick fur and fat, penguins huddle together, and seals have blubber.
Interactive Discussion:
Ask questions like, “Why do penguins huddle together?” and “How does blubber help seals?”
Activity
Insulation Experiment:
Explain the concept of insulation.
Have a student put their hand in the ice water without gloves, then with rubber gloves, to feel the difference.
Discuss how the gloves act like blubber to keep the hand warm.
Worksheet Activity:
Hand out worksheets with pictures of cold-weather animals.
Students colour the animals and draw one feature that helps the animal stay warm.
Conclusion
Review how different animals stay warm in cold environments. Answer any questions. Draw and describe their favourite cold-weather animal and how it stays warm.
Extension:
Classroom Huddle: Simulate a penguin huddle by having students group closely together to feel how warmth is shared.