January, 2021

January - Animals in Winter

Featured January Activities

Winter Animal Research:

At Chanukah time, we read a book called "Hanukkah Bear." Shaya pointed out that the story couldn't really happen because "actually bears sleep all winter." They hibernate, so he never would have left his den. After a little research, we learned that bears sometimes do wake up during the winter. Some scientists say that bears are not even true hibernators! That left us with even more questions!

We started researching animals in small groups and worked together to create this chart:

We decided to each study one animal to learn more about the ways animals cope with with the challenges of winter.

Each child chose an animal that they wanted to learn more about. The rule was that it had be an animal that lived somewhere where it would experience both summer and winter. Children came up with one question about their animal, and researched in books and on the computer to learn the answer. Then they drew a detailed "science drawing," of their animal. This meant that they carefully drew their animal in the right colors, and using the right shapes. Often they asked friends to help them figure out how to best compose their drawing.

Step One: Research and Sketching

Students chose an image (or several) of their animal to use for reference. Then, starting with pencils, they sketched out just the basic shapes of their animal.

Step Two: Adding Detail and Color

Checking their reference images, students sorted through all of the colored pencils to find which colors would work best for their drawing. Then they began adding details and shading as well as texture.

Step Three: Watercolors

Finally, students mixed watercolors to create the right color for each part of their animal. The watercolors were great because they allowed students to color in large portions of the animals, without covering up all of their careful detailing!

Labeling

With their science illustrations complete, the students carefully sounded out and wrote labels for their drawing. They started with the name of their animal, and then picked three parts of the animal to label.

Click here to see our Gallery of Winter Animals!

Snowman Storytelling: Creativity, Story comprehension, Collaboration and Sharing

In small groups, children generated an adventure for their snowman along with friends. It can be challenging to tell a shared story, sometimes things don't go the way you imagined, however, it is also a lot of fun. Stories are richer and more complex when more people are helping to write them! Click here to read our snowman stories!

Migration Stories: Creativity, Story telling, fine motor, scissor skills

Very few of the children chose to research an animal that migrates. To give students a chance to explore this winter strategy, each child was asked to pick an additional animal, one who migrates. They then chose a picture of their animal, painted a beautiful background, and cut out their animal and glued it on. Finally, they each told a story about their animal's migration. Click here to see our Migration Stories!

Getting outside!

Ice, ice ice!

There has been a LOT of ice on the playground, which gives us a chance to learn about all of the different types of ice. We have seen shell ice, needle ice, and what the children called "puddle ice!"

Letter practice!

In addition to singing the abc's every day, and noticing the letters of our names, we also have been practicing writing letters as we sound out all of our labels! We have now introduced the short "i" sound! With this we have started using hand motions to help us discern the subtle differences in short vowel sounds. "a" is a hand flat, palm down right under your chin. This draws attention to the jaw drop that occurs when making that sound. "i" is simply pointing to your nose!

ABC's Puzzle: Letter recognition, Cooperation and sharing, alphabetizing

The children have been working as a team to finish this tricky ABC's puzzle!

Rhyming Earmuff Matching: Rhyming, Cooperation

These tricky earmuffs are all mixed up! Can the children match them back together based on the pictures?

Nature Letters: Letter recognition, fine motor,

Children used found items like rocks, sticks, acorns, and pine needles to make all of the letters of the alphabet! Click here to see the gallery of all of our letters!