Today, we embraced the cooler weather and explored some of the adaptations of animals who live in cold winter climates. We talked about the challenges winter causes and the survival mechanisms of hibernation, adaptation, and migration. Then, it was on to our labs. We had three stations to look at different adaptations. I'm including links in the descriptions where I can because we had such a small group today, so anyone who missed class can follow along at home if they would like. At Station 1, the students were able to feel just how much having a layer of blubber can help an animal that lives in the cold polar seas, such as polar bears. Station 2 was all about the difference between behavioral and structural adaptations. After sorting through various animals' adaptations, they had to think about what types of adaptations humans have developed, if any, to help us survive winter. At Station 3, they played the part of a predator and timed how quickly they could find butterflies that were camouflaged, or not, on a background. It was clear that a butterfly that might blend in one environment would be easy prey in the white snow. (Similar to some of the suggestions here.) Articles:
The Nature Education Knowledge Project: Animal Migration --Discusses which animals migrate, how they navigate and how scientists study migration. Has a recommended reading list and additional links to other articles on migration. Videos: Winter Adaptations from Cornell University's Naturalist Outreach How Ants Survive Winter Migrations: Big Animal Trips BBC's Frozen Planet series (available on Netflix) Wildest: Arctic series (available on Amazon Prime Video) Activities: BrainPOP: Hibernation Animals in the Winter: Feed and watch winter birds. Create a bird feeder from a pinecone or milk carton. Learn what insects and spiders do to survive winter. Instructions in the link.
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May 2020
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