January 20

A Winter Coat

Hibernation and Brumation are not the only ways animals prepare for winter. Some animals grow a winter coat that insulates them from the cold, similar to the way we put on a warm outer covering when temperatures fall.

This deer and I saw each other on a recent walk. Her coat has grown thicker and darker.

Last spring, this doe was molting. The process lasts only a few weeks and usually begins at the top and moves downward.

During warm months, the deer I spy on my walks have lost their heavy fur pelages and have replaced them with new reddish coats.

Some winter coats even change color. Watch full screen here.

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January 16

Animal Teeth

We have explored various parts of animal bodies. Before we study teeth, let’s review:

Tails

Feet

Eyes


Antennae

Scat

Now let’s look at teeth. What do you notice and wonder? Why aren’t all teeth the same?

Note the teeth in these skulls. Can you determine if an animal is an herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore by its teeth? Learn more in the video below.

What If You Had Animal Teeth is a from the popular non-fiction book series. Watch full screen here.

Watch full screen here.

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Beavers

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January 14

A Long Winter’s Nap

How do woodland animals survive the winter cold? Is there anyone tucked away in these tree cavities? Although the forest is quiet, I know that many woodland animals are still nearby.


Little Owl’s Snow is a new favorite book and a simple text to introduce hibernation to young scientists. The information is correct, and the illustrations are engaging. Watch full screen here.

Over and Under is an imaginative way to explore hibernation and other ways that animals survive winter months. Watch the animated reading full screen here.

I recently discovered this charming picture book. Soon to be a Nana myself, I will be adding this to my library. Watch full screen here.

Which animals hibernate? Do reptiles and amphibians, as well as mammals. sleep through the winter months? Do invertebrates hibernate? Watch full screen here.

Watch full screen here.

Have a few extra minutes? Ask students whether they would rather hibernate (sleep) for a couple of months or migrate to a new place and live there for a time. Discuss pros and cons. I’ve always been surprised at young scientists’ reasoning.

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Snags

Who Lives Underground?

Brumate

Baby Squirrels

Forest Carpenters

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January 8

More Conifers

I’m aways looking for new species of cones to add to my collection. The cone in the top photo I discovered in Italy and the second photo are cones I found in Maryland over the holidays. Trees that bear cones are conifers. They may or may not be evergreen.

My largest and smallest species of cones:

 

Conifers have two types of cones:  pollen cones and seed cones. Watch full screen here.

An easy science investigation with cones. (You do not need to use boiling water.) Does the age, size or species of the pinecone change your results?  What happens when you alter the temperature of the water? Watch here full screen.

Also try planting seeds from a pinecone. Watch full screen here.

Related Posts

Conifers (literature connections and videos)

Evergreens and Conifers

Pine Trees

Bald Cyress or Dawn Redwoods?

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A new book for your lifecycle study of cones:

The Pine Cone's Secret: A Life Cycle Poem

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January 6

Do You Wonder?

Have you seen ducks or geese swimming in ponds during the winter months? How can they survive the cold-water temperatures? What do you think? On a recent trip to Maryland, I watched these geese on the pond when temperatures were below freezing and flurries covered the ice.

Go here to watch full screen.

Did you notice that part of the pond isn’t frozen? Waterfowl need water to drink, so if you observe ducks or geese closely, you will see them swim in circles to ensure a portion of the pond doesn’t completely freeze.

Waterfowl are designed to withstand freezing temperatures. Downy feathers provide insulation and standing on one leg helps conserve and regulate heat. The vascular system in which arteries and veins are closer together helps warm the blood in their legs. You will often see a goose’s beak tucked inside its feathers for warmth.

Related Posts

Go here to see how my lab ducks survived the ice and cold.

Ducks continually preen themselves to spread oil that also helps maintain body temperature. Learn more in the lab here.

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December 30

A Light in the Dark

Winter months are associated with darkness, but we illuminate our spaces with candles, fireplaces, and festive lights. Light shows are especially enchanting!

On a recent trip to Frederick Maryland, I visited Sailing Through the Winter Solstice Light Show. The canal in Carroll Creek Park was lined with individually decorated sailboats. The display runs from November through March to raise money for local non-profit organizations. A sampling of these imaginative boats follows:

Fire In Ice is held the first weekend in February. “Downtown Frederick is transformed with hundreds of ice sculptures and lots of winter-themed family fun.”

What a great time of the year to study lights and electricity. Try some of these engaging activities!

Light Lab

Light Mixing

Simple Circuits

Squishy Circuits

Squishy Circuits Part 2

Squishy Circuits Part 3

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December 20

Bracket Fungi

The woodlands are quieter now and the browns of the season fill the landscape. I have to look harder for signs of life, but among the leaf litter, bracket fungi add a pop of color.



Also known as shelf fungi or polypore, these fruiting bodies grow in bracket-shaped or circular conks on trees or fallen logs. Unlike mushrooms, they are hard and inedible. Watch for them as you hike.

Watch full screen here.

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December 11

A Special Holiday Gift Guide

I am an ambassador for Run Wild My Child, an organization dedicated to getting kids outside and promoting outdoor education. A quarterly printed magazine, “the only printed magazine on the market for outdoorsy moms raising passionate, adventurous, nature-loving kids,” would make a fun family gift.

Check out their Holiday Gift Guide. I have used many of the suggested items in my classroom and at home. Gift categories include essential gear, classic and new outdoor toys, backyard fun, stocking stuffers, tech and gadgets, experience gifts, books, subscription ideas, as well as suggestions for your little chef, scientist, artist, angler, and gardener. Wow!

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December 9

Seasonal Engineering

Looking for some fun engineering ideas for your young engineers? These projects can be implemented in the classroom or at home. Check out additional STEM activities from FeelGood Teaching here.

Make a zipline for Santa, a snowman, or a character of your choice.
Holiday Ziplines and here

Use catapults to throw snowballs at a castle.
Catapults

Construct a jingle bell maze with Legos.
Lego Mazes

Build ice structures.
Ice Structures

Make boats to save the Gingerbread Boy.
Boats

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