Big, BIG Polar Bear, What Can You Do? Lesson Plan

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What We Are Learning
 

Science Focus:

polar bears, five senses


Theme Vocabulary:

polar bear, see, hear, smell, taste, touch

 

Skills We’re Practicing:
group discussion, critical thinking, vocabulary, number recognition/counting

  • Polar Bear Night by Lauren Thompson is a beautifully illustrated story about a little polar bear’s journey out of her den at night. She travels through the snow and ice, noticing the sleeping animals in the arctic along the way. After witnessing a snow shower and the Northern Lights, she finally makes her way back home. As you read the story, ask children to identify the animals the little polar bear sees during her journey.

Materials: Make a Polar Bear’s Habitat skill sheet, blue construction paper, glue, cotton balls, small bowl of water, tray of unscented Epsom salt, paintbrushes

  • Create a polar bear habitat in this fun new way.
  • Give each child a copy of the skill sheet. Guide them as they cut out the polar bear and glue the polar bear onto a sheet of blue construction paper. Then have children add glue to the polar bear’s body, being sure to spread the glue to completely cover it.
  • Next, add the polar bear’s “fur.” Have children pull the cotton balls to stretch them out, and stick them onto the polar bear body.
  • Finally, have children dip a paintbrush into the small bowl of water, then into the tray of Epsom salt. Dab the paintbrush all around the polar bear. Set it aside to dry for a few minutes. When it dries, it’ll look white and “snowy”!
  • Once the polar bear habitats have dried, ask students to gather together to share their artwork. Ask, “Is it difficult to see your polar bear? Why might it be difficult to see a polar bear in the Arctic?” fine-motor skills

Materials: none

  • Help your students get their wiggles out with this fun arctic-themed dance.
  • Have the class stand in a circle. Familiarize children with the regular “Hokey Pokey.” Then do the polar bear version!

                You put your front paw in,

                You put your front paw out,

                You put your front paw in,

                And you shake it all about!

                You do the Polar Bear Pokey

                And you turn yourself around,

                That’s what it’s all about!

  • Repeat with back paw, belly, ears, eyes, nose, and so on. gross-motor skills/listening skills