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.

Lessons for First Grade

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.

Lessons for Second Grade

Resource: TheSchroederPage.com

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.

Visual Supports to aid comprehension

A Polar Bear T Chart! Read Polar Bears by Gail Gibbons,

Their Life Cycle Their Habitat

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