Activity Description: In the classroom: The classroom teacher will ...

AISD Library Media Instructional Plan
Date: 12/2007 Grade Level: 2 Campus: Dunn
Lesson Topic: Bears and Blubber: Arctic Survivor
CONTENT AREA: Science
TEKS/TAKS OBJECTIVES:
2.6.d The student is expected to observe and record the functions of animal parts.
2.9.a The student is expected to identify the external characteristics of different
kinds of plants and animals that allow their needs to be met.
2.9.b The student is expected to compare and give examples of the ways that living
organisms depend on each other and on their environments.
FOCUS: How organisms meet basic needs.
MATERIALS/TECHNOLOGY: reference books and materials, online databases
and websites, Little Polar Bear book, Dear Polar Bear book, construction paper,
paper sacks, materials for experiment: see lesson plan.
FINAL PRODUCT: Students will pack a “suitcase” of items for them to take on a
visit to Polar Bear in the arctic.
KEY WORDS FOR LESSON BANK SEARCHING: arctic, polar bear, bear, bears,
blubber, animal, animals, Little Polar Bear, Dear Polar Bear, Hans de Beer,
Barry Ablett
Activity Description:
In the classroom:
The classroom teacher will complete the following
lesson/science experiment:
Polar Bears
By: Mandy Wallace
http://atozteacherstuff.com/pages/383.shtml
Students will explain what keeps Polar Bears warm in
the Arctic by experiencing a layer of blubber to
protect them.
Materials:
* Little Polar Bear by Hans de Beer
* construction paper
* sandwich bags
* Crisco
* bowl of water
* ice cubes
1

Plan:
1. Show the students the cover of the book and ask for
predictions.
2. Read the book reminding students to look for the
different animals that the bear meets.
3. After the story asks what other animals did the
polar bear meet
4. Raise your hand if you think all these animals could
survive in the cold Arctic Why do you think this How
do you think the Polar Bear survives the cold weather
and swimming in the icy water
5. Explain that polar bears have a layer of fat called
blubber that keeps them warm. Ask students what they
wear to keep warm
6. Explain what the students will be doing at their
seats, which is drawing pictures of clothing they wear
to keep warm.
8. Students will then complete the blubber glove
experiment (directions below).
To make the blubber glove, use two zip lock
plastic bags and fill one with Crisco (about 1 cup).
Use the other bag to place on top of the Crisco so the
students are not touching the Crisco. Attempt to zip
together by having the top one inside out.
A bowl should be filled with water and ice, and
the teacher should guide the students in putting the
glove on and putting their hand in the water. Tell them
to pretend they are polar bears ready to dive into the
cold icy water.
Students may touch water with one hand before or
after using the glove to compare the difference of
having the glove on and not having it on.
National Science Foundation. http://nsf.gov
Wallace, Mandy.
http://atozteacherstuff.com/pages/383.shtml
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In the library:
The librarian will complete the following activity:
Worldly Bears
By Susan Matheson
Materials:
Dear Polar Bear by Barry Ablett
Plan:
1. Read Dear Polar Bear to the class. Ask the
students to think of things that they would send
from here to the Polar Bear to help brighten up
his home.
2. Explain to the students that they have been
invited to visit the Polar Bear in the Arctic.
They must pack for the trip. They will need to
learn more about the Arctic in order to pack for
the trip.
3. Using the format of a bubble map work together
as a class to describe the arctic environment as
described in the book.
4. Students will then use online and print
resources to learn more about the arctic
environment.
5. As students find new information, they will add
them to the class bubble map.
6. Students will then decide on the five items that
they will take on their trip.
Lesson/Activity is completed in the classroom:
7. The students will use construction paper to draw
the items that they would take with them.
8. The items will be packed in a paper sack that
serves as a suitcase for the trip.
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9. Students will be given a chance to unpack their
suitcase for the class and explain why they
brought each item.
Notes:
Another option would be to have the polar bear visit his friends
from the book. With this approach, the students would research the
different environments where those bears lived and pack a suitcase
for the polar bear to take along.
Students could also research the additional animals that are shown
on the map but not part of the story. Students would be challenged
to identify each animal and then use that information to complete a
product.
Resources/Weblinks:
Also included in attachment.
Arctic Library –
http://www.athropolis.com/gloss.htm
Gander Academy –
http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/CITE/pb_primary.htm
People of the Arctic -
http://www.saskschools.ca/~gregory/arctic/Apeople.html
World Book for Kids
http://www.worldbookonline.com/kids/Home
Attachments: See Webliography document below– graphics
courtesy of Microsoft Word.
4

Arctic
Survivor
Arctic Library –
http://www.athropolis.com/gloss.htm
Gander Academy –
http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/CITE/pb_primary.htm
People of the Arctic -
http://www.saskschools.ca/~gregory/arctic/Apeople.html
World Book for Kids
http://www.worldbookonline.com/kids/Home