Animals in Winter

As an extension to our research project, we have been chatting lately about the word 'change', and how 'change' effects not only us, but animals and the environment around us. This has led to some interesting discussions about how we 'change' to survive in winter, as well as what animals will do.

We spent some time discussing migration and learned about a few animals who utilize this strategy in the winter. The Kiddoes were intrigued by the photo of Canadian geese and wisely asked, "Why do they fly in a v?" After explaining this phenomenon to them, out into the hallway we went to experiment ourselves with this amazing strategy. We definitely had a few laughs, but now carry a new appreciation for those animals that migrate in the winter.

a.m.

p.m.

We have also chatted about how animals will hibernate as a strategy in order to survive during winter. The Kiddoes enjoyed learning about true hibernators (i.e. frogs, snakes) and what I like to call 'fake' hibernators (i.e. bears, squirrels). It was fun to learn some big science words (torpor - animals who will wake from hibernation to eat & hibernaculum - what a ball of snakes are called when they hibernate).

The Kiddoes have been quick to transfer this new information to our research project. Last Friday, we hopped onto Twitter and posed the question "What animals live in Regina in the winter?". If you check out our page @MsSClassroom you will see the phenomenal responses we received. Yesterday we scrolled through the responses and wrote down some information. 

Very quickly some of the Kiddoes pointed out that bats hibernate in the winter. I asked them what we needed to do. "Cross it off the list" was their reply. We will continue to spend time researching what the animals on the list do in winter and if we would actually see them in the city on journey to create an after Christmas tree!