Arctic Science  

Contact_FullName: Beth

Contact_Email: bschnedier@wi.rr.com

date:: 01/08/07

Area: Arctic-Science

Idea:

During our Arctic unit, we talk about what animals eat. A lot of arctic animals eat fish so we have a fish tasting day. This just involves using a can of tuna and/or a can of salmon. We pretend to be hungry animals and eat up the arctic fish. Some of the kids love it and others don't. This then can also be used as a math activity to graph the likes and dislikes.

Contact_FullName: Amy

Contact_Email: msmichelee@hotmail.com

Idea:

This idea involves making a purchase, but I assure you it is worth it. Living in S. California I don't have much access to snow. I discovered that Lakeshore has a material called InstaSnow that looks and feels like the real thing. It even stays cold! I put some of this in a small plastic pool, or you can put it in a bucket or sensory table, and add some artic animals (plastic toys). The kids love it:-)

Contact_FullName: Eileen

Contact_Email: Moorehaven@aol.com

Idea:

Blubber Glove - To demonstrate how the blubber keeps the seals, whales, etc. warm we make a blubber glove. Take a quart size zip bag and put a large amount of Crisco in it. Turn the same size zip bag inside out and zip the tops together. Tuck the one bag inside the other and duct tape the top shut so it can't accidentally open. Squish the Crisco about so that it is evenly distributed. I also make one sandwiched bag with nothing in between. One child will place a hand in each bag and place in a basin of water and ice (I hold the edges above the water line). They can quickly identify which gets cold fastest, and can see why the Crisco one stays warm. It's the most fun when you have real snow to float in the water! Mini icebergs!

Contact_FullName: Eileen

Contact_Email: Moorehaven@aol.com

Idea:

When we study the Polar Regions, I begin with the North - the Arctic. We build an igloo using a pop-up tent, and cover it with quilt batting. I put a quilt and a box of theme-related books inside. We learn about the Inuit, polar bears, seals, Arctic foxes and hares, etc. Then it all comes down, and we move to the Antarctic. It's Penguin time!

Contact_FullName: Shane

Contact_Email: ssbbkk76@msn.com

Idea:

Add large pieces of white Styrofoam to the water table, to be "icebergs" along with arctic animals, i.e. penguins, polar bears or even fish (to go ice fishing with) .

Contact_FullName: Mary Jo Dooling

Contact_Email: jadooling@comcast.net

Idea:

It can be very cold in the Arctic. I taught the children that animals in the Arctic are equipped to handle the cold temperatures because they have a layer of fat under their skin called blubber. To illustrate how blubber works you will need a large bowl of ice water and two baggies filled with Crisco. Place these baggies sealed into another baggie. Have the children immerse their hand into the water. How does it feel? Then, have them slip their hand into the "blubber" glove and then place that in the bowl of water. What is the difference? Your hand stays warm because of the "blubber " glove! They really loved this concept!