Hibernation, Nocturnal Animals, and Letter Uu

The morning class in their "Bear Cave."

What a fun week! The students seemed to really enjoy learning about hibernation and nocturnal animals this week. On Tuesday, we talked about hibernation. We learned what hibernation is, and then named some of the animals that hibernate. We learned that some of the animals sleep the whole time, and it would be very difficult to wake them. Others wake up periodically to eat, and they would be easier to wake, like bears.  We practiced "hibernating" like both kinds.

We read "Going on a Bear Hunt" and made bear caves. Some of the students wanted to put snow (aka cotton balls) around the opening of their caves, some did not.

For letter Uu, I wanted to do something besides a paper craft. I really didn't think umbrellas made from paper would be very exciting. (Letter Uu is hard for crafts, in case you were wondering...) Anyway. We played a fun balloon game trying to keep the balloon UP. Each child got his/her own balloon, and then we practiced hitting the balloon up in the air, trying to keep it there. We also got out the parachute and put them up in the air. And we only popped two balloons! Miracle! I hope they remember "U is for up" not "balloon."

On Thursday, we learned about nocturnal. We learned that nocturnal animals are awake at night, and sleep during the day, and because of this, they have some special skills. We learned that their eyes make it easier for them to see at night, but they also rely a lot on their hearing.

We had a blindfold (and moved all the tables) and the students listened for the teacher or another student, and then had to "find" them.

Tyler T. 

Harold and Corbin