Winter Animals

Yesterday we began discussing what animals do in winter.  Today in the woods students noticed that there are not as many squirrels, spiders are insects as there were before.  However, a few students found spiders eggs hidden under logs and thought that this might be a warm, cozy place for a spider to hide from the cold.  During Reader's Workshop we read When it Starts to Snow by Phillis Gershator and then students drew where they think certain animals may go in the winter: in a burrow, in a hollow of a tree, under the ice in a lake or pond or in a cave.  Yesterday, students shared that some animals adapt to the cold and do not hibernate or migrate.  Arctic Foxes, Weasels and Snowshoe Hares are three animals that we learned grow a warm white coat to both keep warm and hide, or camouflage, in the snow.  Some students chose to work in small groups to add a "winter coat" to these animals.  We will continue discussing and sharing our noticings over the coming weeks.