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Teacher’s Corner
Happy New Year to All!
Winter is upon us and there are so many
exciting themes to teach our students!
This month’s Teacher Tips includes activ-
ities for a Polar Bear theme for grades
first and second!
Parent Corner
Winter is upon us and this time of year can be challenging for individuals with autism
and their families. Snowstorms and extremely cold weather interfere with routines
and can turn a day upside down!
Below are some ideas to help you and your child cope with the changes that are often
sudden and anxiety producing.
Prepare a calendar and prepare several pictures of school and home. When a po-
tential storm causes a school delay or cancellation have your child put the corre-
sponding picture on that day.
Create a “day at home” schedule to provide structure and predictability
Provide choice making of preferred activities on this special day!
Plan a cooking activity together.
Spend time outdoors! Make snow angels, go sled riding, make snowballs, build a
snowman.
Keep in mind change is good and learning flexibility is essential in life! Try to build
in structured and supportive opportunities to teach flexibility.
Social Story
Is Today a School Day?
By: Carol Gray
I go to school on school days. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
are often school days. Sometimes, though, my school will close.
There are many vacation days during the year. Some vacations are long, and others are
short. Vacation days are written on the school calendar.
There are other special days when my school may be open for teachers, and closed for
students. These are called teacher training or work days. They are usually written on the
school calendar.
In the winter, it may snow a lot, or there may by ice. If it’s very unsafe or difficult for cars
or buses to get around, my school will close. It’s called a snow day. People expect a few
snow days in the winter, but snow days are not listed on the school calendar. That’s be-
cause no one knows for sure when snow will close my school. My parents watch the local
news to learn about snow days.
Sometimes, it may be confusing if today or tomorrow is a school day. Parents can help.
Parents are very interested in school days. They know how to use the school calendar and
the local news.
I go to school on school days. Sometimes, my school will be closed.
Polar Bear Facts
Polar Bears live in the arctic Alaska, Canada, Russia, Green-land and Norway (show a map)
Polar Bears are also known as Sea Bears
Polar Bears are the largest land predator
Polar Bears weigh up to 1300 pounds
Polar Bears can grow to be 10 feet tall
Polar Bears have large claws
Polar Bears eat seals, walruses, fish, birds and some plants
Polar Bears are strong swimmers
Polar Bears have two coats of fur and a thick layer of blub-ber beneath their fur to keep them warm
Polar bear young are called cubs
Only Polar bears that are having cubs hibernate in a den on land
The cubs live with the mother for two years.
Polar Bears live in the Arctic Cubs stay with their mother for two years
Polar Bears are strong swimmers.
Visual Support-Cue Cards
Comprehension Check
Polar bears live in What keeps a polar bear warm What do polar bears like to eat?
___California ___an igloo ___fruit
___Australia ___a fire ___seals
___Africa ___a fur coat and blubber ___ice
___Arctic ___swimming in the water ___vegetables
How long do cubs stay with their mother?
___2 months
___4 years
___2 years
___ 6 years
Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions below.
Polar bears live in the arctic. They have a white fur coat and a thick fat called blubber to keep them warm
in the cold. Polar bears eat seals. They will also eat walruses, birds, fish and some plants. Female polar
bears have babies in the winter and usually have two cubs. The cubs stay with their mothers for two years
Polar Bear Theme
Science Activity-The Blubber Glove
1st & 2nd Grade
Objective: Students will explain what keeps Polar Bears warm in the Arctic by experi-
encing a layer of blubber to protect them.
Materials:
construction paper
sandwich bags
Crisco
bowl of water
ice cubes
Read: Little Polar Bear by: Hans de Beer
Lesson Plan:
Question: How do you think the Polar Bear survives the cold weather and swimming in
the icy water?
1. Explain that polar bears have a layer of fat called blubber that keeps him warm.
2. Ask students what they wear to keep warm? Have each student draw pictures of cloth-
ing they wear to keep warm.
The Blubber Glove:
1. To make the blubber glove, use two zip lock plastic bags
and fill one with Crisco (about 1 cup). Use the other bag to
place on top of the Crisco so the students are not touching
the Crisco. Attempt to zip together by having the top one in-
side out.
2. A bowl should be filled with water and ice, and the teacher
should guide the students in putting the glove on and putting
their hand in the water.
3. Tell the students to pretend they are polar bears ready to
dive into the cold icy water.
4. Students may touch water with one hand before or after
using the glove to compare the difference of having the glove
on and not having it on.
5. Write responses on chart paper.
Polar Bear Facts
The polar bear is the largest member of the bear family.
A polar bear’s paw is as big as a dinner plate.
The polar bear’s back legs are longer than the front.
A polar bear’s skin is black.
A polar bear has a strong sense of smell.
A polar bear’s favorite meal is seal blubber.
A male polar bear can weigh as much as 1,100 pounds.
A polar bear can live to be 15-18 years old.
Only polar bears that are having cubs hibernate.
A newborn cub weighs about 1 pound.
Polar bears are great swimmers.
Polar bears like to hitchhike on floating ice.
My Polar Bear Anticipation Guide
Polar Bears by Gail Gibbons
Before Reading
Statements After Reading
T or F The polar bear is the biggest
and most powerful bear.
T or F
T or F A polar bear can be as tall as
5 feet standing on their back
legs.
T or F
T or F Polar Bears can smell a seal
3 miles away.
T or F
T or F Polar Bears are vegetarians. T or F
T or F A baby polar bear is called a
cub.
T or F
T or F The cubs can leave the den
at 1 day old.
T or F
T or F When it is too cold to hunt a
polar bear builds a den.
T or F
T or F Polar bears have the same
body temperature as a
human.
T or F
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