Discovering Layers in the Snowpack
Animal Winter Habitats
Changing Seasons – Observing Winter in the Boreal Forest
Ice and Water Science – Exploring Freezing and Melting
Birds in Winter – Survival Strategies for Cold Weather
Winter Tracks and Traces – Discovering Signs of Wildlife in Snow
Hibernation, Torpor, and Migration – How Animals Survive Winter
Winter Constellations – Stargazing in the Boreal Winter Sky
Winter Forest Exploration – Observing Trees and Plant Life in Winter
Winter Arts and Crafts Inspired by Nature
Discovering Layers in the Snowpack
Overview:
In this lesson, students will explore the winter landscape by investigating layers within the snowpack. Through hands-on observation and simple experiments, they’ll learn how snow accumulates in layers, why these layers form, and what they can reveal about weather and animal activity over time.
Curriculum Connections:
- Science: Big Idea – “Plants and animals have observable features.”
- Social Studies: Big Idea – “The natural environment shapes the way people live.”
Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will:
- Identify and observe different layers within the snowpack.
- Understand that snow accumulates in layers that can change based on weather and temperature.
- Record their findings through drawings and sensory descriptions.
Animal Winter Habitats
Overview:
In this lesson, students will explore how local animals adapt to survive the winter. Through observation, hands-on activities, and storytelling, students will learn about the unique ways animals stay warm, find food, and protect themselves in cold weather. They will begin to understand the concept of winter habitats and the special adaptations that animals rely on to endure our local winter environment.
Curriculum Connections:
- Science: Big Idea – “Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment.”
- Social Studies: Big Idea – “The environment shapes the way people and animals live.”
Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will:
- Identify and describe at least two ways local animals adapt to winter conditions.
- Observe and record their findings in journals with simple drawings or notes.
- Understand the concept of a winter habitat and how it provides protection and resources.
Changing Seasons – Observing Winter in the Boreal Forest
Overview:
In this lesson, students will explore the seasonal changes in the boreal forest as winter approaches. They’ll learn to observe specific signs of winter, such as changes in plant life, animal behaviours, and weather patterns. By discussing these changes, students will begin to understand how the environment adapts and prepares for the colder months.
Curriculum Connections:
- Science: Big Idea – “Seasonal changes affect all living things.”
- Social Studies: Big Idea – “The environment shapes the lives and activities of people and animals.”
Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will:
- Identify and describe at least three visible signs of seasonal change as winter arrives.
- Observe and record seasonal changes in their journals with drawings and simple notes.
- Understand that seasonal changes impact the entire ecosystem, from plants to animals and people.
Ice and Water Science – Exploring Freezing and Melting
Overview:
In this lesson, students will investigate the freezing and melting process through simple, hands-on experiments. They’ll observe how water turns into ice, explore how ice melts under different conditions, and learn about the unique properties of ice in winter. This interactive lesson encourages curiosity and provides students with a foundation for understanding temperature and states of matter.
Curriculum Connections:
- Science: Big Idea – “Matter can change states through heating and cooling.”
- Math: (Optional extension) Simple measurement concepts for temperature and time.
Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will:
- Observe and describe how water changes from liquid to solid and back to liquid.
- Understand that temperature affects the state of water.
- Experiment with different ways to make ice melt faster or slower.
Birds in Winter – Survival Strategies for Cold Weather
Overview:
In this lesson, students will learn about winter birds and the unique strategies they use to survive the cold. They will explore how birds find food, keep warm, and adapt to winter conditions. This lesson includes observation, hands-on activities, and opportunities to listen to bird calls, helping students appreciate the resilience of winter wildlife.
Curriculum Connections:
- Science: Big Idea – “Living things have features and behaviors that help them survive in their environment.”
- Social Studies: Big Idea – “The environment shapes the lives of people and animals.”
Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will:
- Identify at least three birds that stay in the boreal forest during winter.
- Describe strategies birds use to survive in winter (finding food, sheltering, and staying warm).
- Recognize bird calls and discuss the importance of listening as a tool for learning.
Winter Tracks and Traces – Discovering Signs of Wildlife in Snow
Overview:
In this lesson, students will become “nature detectives,” learning to spot and identify animal tracks and other signs of wildlife in the snow. They will explore how animals leave clues in the snowy forest and begin to understand how different animals move, find food, and shelter during the winter season. This lesson encourages curiosity, observational skills, and a deeper connection to local wildlife.
Curriculum Connections:
- Science: Big Idea – “Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment.”
- Social Studies: Big Idea – “The environment shapes the lives of people and animals.”
Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will:
- Identify at least three types of animal tracks common in the boreal forest.
- Recognize signs of wildlife, such as tracks, scat, and nibbled plants, in the snow.
- Understand that animals move in different ways, which affects the tracks and traces they leave behind.
Hibernation, Torpor, and Migration – How Animals Survive Winter
Overview:
In this lesson, students will explore the concepts of hibernation, torpor, and migration. They will learn why some animals sleep through the winter, some travel to warmer places, and some enter a state of reduced activity, called torpor, to survive the cold. Students will discuss the unique strategies animals use to cope with winter conditions and engage in hands-on activities to better understand these survival techniques. This lesson encourages curiosity, movement, and creative thinking about animal adaptations in winter.
Curriculum Connections:
- Science: Big Idea – “Living things have features and behaviors that help them survive in their environment.”
- Social Studies: Big Idea – “People and animals adapt to their environment in different ways.”
Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will:
- Identify the difference between hibernation, torpor, and migration.
- Understand why some animals hibernate, some migrate, and others enter torpor.
- Name at least two animals that hibernate, two that enter torpor, and two that migrate during winter.
Winter Constellations – Stargazing in the Boreal Winter Sky
Overview:
In this lesson, students will explore the winter constellations visible in the northern sky and learn about their significance. The lesson focuses on helping students identify key constellations like Orion, The Big Dipper, and Cassiopeia during the day, so they can go home and spot them at night with their families. Through storytelling, star maps, creative activities, and a hands-on outdoor activity, students will develop a connection to the night sky and learn how different cultures interpret the stars.
Curriculum Connections:
- Science: Big Idea – “The earth and its resources are interconnected.”
- Social Studies: Big Idea – “People understand and relate to the world around them through stories, art, and tradition.”
Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will:
- Identify at least three winter constellations visible in the northern hemisphere.
- Learn how to spot these constellations at night.
- Understand the cultural significance of constellations in different traditions.
- Engage in a creative activity to imagine their own constellations.
- Map out the constellations in the snow, using their own footprints to represent stars.
Winter Forest Exploration – Observing Trees and Plant Life in Winter
Overview:
In this lesson, students will explore the boreal forest in winter to observe how trees and plant life survive and adapt to the cold, snowy conditions. The focus will be on evergreens and their unique features, including their needles, bark, and cones. Students will gain an understanding of how evergreens thrive in harsh winter conditions and how their adaptations help them survive. The lesson will also provide students with the opportunity to reflect on the role that forests play in maintaining a healthy environment.
Curriculum Connections:
- Science: Big Idea – “Living things are interconnected and interact with their environment.”
- Social Studies: Big Idea – “The land is shared, but also divided by different cultures and histories.”
- Environmental Stewardship: “We learn from nature and how to care for it.”
Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will:
- Identify and describe at least two types of evergreen trees (e.g., spruce, pine, fir).
- Understand the role of evergreens in the winter forest ecosystem.
- Observe the adaptations of evergreen trees that help them survive in winter.
- Create an art project inspired by their observations in the forest.
Winter Arts and Crafts Inspired by Nature
Making Ice Disks with Natural Elements
Overview:
In this lesson, students will create circular ice disks embedded with natural elements such as pine needles, berries, and small twigs. These ice creations will be made by freezing water in plastic recycling materials, such as plastic lids or containers, and incorporating nature-based patterns. The ice disks will serve as a winter-themed art project that highlights the beauty of the natural world in winter. The lesson will take place in temperatures of -15°C or colder. While the ice disks are freezing, students will engage in a fun and active game of Lynx and Hare in the snow, which allows them to explore animal movements and strategies.
Curriculum Connections:
- Arts Education: “Exploration of visual art techniques and mediums.”
- Science: Big Idea – “The environment provides a variety of materials that can be used for creative expression.”
- Physical Education: “Active movement in winter conditions” and “Understanding animal movement and survival.”
- Environmental Stewardship: “Appreciation of natural materials and sustainable use of resources.”
Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will:
- Create ice disks embedded with natural elements.
- Discuss how the materials they used are found in nature and their role in the ecosystem.
- Develop fine motor skills and creativity through crafting with natural materials and water.
- Participate in an active outdoor game to better understand predator-prey dynamics and animal movement in winter.
