Hibernation - Lesson Plan

Grade Levels: 2-5

Purpose: To learn the definition of hibernation and to discover some facts about hibernating animals through music and art to help them learn through different styles.

Note to teacher: Please let ThinkQuest team 25553** know if you use some or all of our lesson plan ideas. We are anxious to have our site be useful and to improve it. The ThinkQuest organization also tracks educational use of the entries.

Introduction: Ask the children if they know what hibernation is. Have them brainstorm all they know about hibernation. Use large chart or blackboard to write out all their correct ideas for the class to see. If they say a "fact" of which you are unsure, write it down with a large Question mark ? next to it, and come back to it later, when you or a group can go to "check it out" in an encyclopedia or other reliable source.

If they do not know the definition of hibernation, you can begin by reading to them our introduction paragraph on hibernation. Then have them come up with some questions of what they would like to learn about hibernation. After they have come up with a few questions, read to the children our page about hibernation, or have them read it in groups of 2 or 3.

Activities:

1. Song: Here is a Song that can be used to teach younger children about Hibernation. It is sung to the tune of Frere Jacques: (1) Older children might prefer to make up their own songs, perhaps to the tune of a common nursery rhyme song or lullaby, such as "Twinkle, twinkle, little star."

HIBERNATION, HIBERNATION
SLEEP ALL NIGHT, SLEEP ALL DAY
NEVER, EVER GET UP
NEVER, EVER GET UP
'TIL ONE SPRING DAY
'TIL ONE SPRING DAY

This song can also be sung to learn about hibernation. It is sung to the tune of "Twinkle, twinkle, little star."

Woody Woodchuck goes to sleep,
In his burrow dark and deep
stretch out to relax ; breathe deep
As you sleep, a watch I'll keep
Now, curl up, your body's warm
safe and sound from any harm.

Sandy Ground Squirrel stows away
Acorns for a snowy day
Plans to sleep the winter Through.
One night's good enough for you.
So, cuddle on my shoulder, dear;
Feel my heartbeat; Mother's near.

Bettty bat hangs down to sleep
in the cave so dark and deep
let us now turn out your light
rest your eyes all through the night
baby human on your back
Now I, too, will hit the sack.

2. Art/Craft: Have the students pick a hibernating animal from the ones listed on our page. They may need to go to a library to find more information about and/or pictures of their chosen animal. Then, each one may choose one of the following arts or crafts:

• Draw a picture of the animal hibernating.
• Paint a picture of the animal hibernating.
• Create a shoe-box diorama of the animal hibernating. Have the children use materials such as clay, felt, pipe cleaners, and cotton balls to create a miniature winter scene inside the shoe-box diorama of their animal hibernating.

Conclusion: Discuss answers to the following questions as a group:

1. Which animals hibernate?
2. Where do they hibernate?
3. Why do they hibernate?
4. When do they hibernate?
5. What happens to animals during hibernation?

To have fun, follow up with Animals and Sleep Crossword Puzzles to extend your learning, located on ThinkQuest team 25553's website: Sleep: from A to Zzz!

(1) "Learning Activity: Additional Ideas That Utilize Other Areas of Development" c. 1998 Viacom International Inc. Last Modified: July 17, 1999. URL: http://teachers.nick.com/supplies/shows/nickjr_febact.html

** Emails can be sent to: brainie@cox.rr.com