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).

Stay tuned in as we learn about all the strategies animals use to survive in winter and then transfer this information to what animals in Regina do in the winter in conjunction with our 'After Christmas Tree' project.