A Grizzly Bear Through the Seasons

In grade 1, we explored the characteristics of four seasons and investigated the behavioural effects it has on a grizzly bear. We talked about what a grizzly bear needs to survive the four seasons and how hibernation and a change in their diet can affect how they act. The students had a great time discovering about the adaptations grizzly bears go through. Each week a new season became the focus and we exploded how that season impacts a grizzly bear.

Through read-alouds, videos, and discussions students were able to learn how each season goes through a change in their appearance and what happens to the grizzly bear through the changing climates. After learning about a new season, students would pull out their hands-on project which is a four-section seasonal wheel. Each guided drawing activity students would be drawing a grizzly bear within that seasonal environment. Once we completed the wheel students got to colour the images to better represent the seasons and the environment the bear lives in during those time periods.

Students then got to cut out their circles and add a cover page where they could spin it around a new season. The Pay It Forward Program was an amazing experience that helped students expand their understanding of seasonal change and animal adaptations, especially for seasons, such as winter.

Animal Environments

We created animals and the environment we thought it would need.For this we coloured pictures of animals we thought our animal might eat, or be living around the area our animal did.

We then glued it onto a really big paper and drew trees and sun and other things we need. Humans then came and destroyed our animal's environment and we talked about what happens when we as humans don't think about the animals living in the area. We then created a new environment using plasticine to show how we can make sure to keep animals safe with a home and have humans there as well.

The students then created posters to remind people to keep animals safe with food, water and a home.

We learned how and why animals move, what animals and humans need to live, how environments need to be taken care of and ways we can do that. How to be respectful of environments, such as no bad water, and keeping garbage out of our woods and animal homes, and what is included in an environment for an animal or human.