Subject: Science

Lesson Topic: What is hibernation?

Essential Question: Can students attentively listen to facts about hibernation then
demonstrate comprehension by completing a worksheet?
Standards:
1-LS1-2 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.1 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
Learning Objectives and Assessments:
Objective

Assessment

Can the students participate in a mini

The teacher will observe the students during

demonstration and understand how it

the demonstration and discussion for their

relates to hibernation?

reactions/responses.

Can the students recall facts from the

The teacher will check the worksheets for

book in order to complete a

error upon completion.

Hibernation based worksheet?

Materials: Crisco, ice cubes, plastic bags, Time to Sleep by Denise Fleming, Hibernation
anchor chart, activity worksheet, morning worksheet
Prior Knowledge: The students have been talking about living and non-living things as
well as life cycles. The students will have also completed a morning worksheet based on
hibernation.
Hook: The teacher will call the students to the carpet and ask them to sit in a big circle
(each student on a letter). The teacher will tell the class today they will be discussing
hibernation and that we are going to start with a demonstration.
Instructional Plan:
1. The teacher will go through a brief explanation of hibernation using an anchor
chart.

2. The teacher will discuss the extra layer of fat that animals store before
hibernating. She will then use the crisco, plastic bags and ice cubes to
demonstrate how the extra layer of fat protects animals through the winter.
3. The teacher will prepare 2 plastic bags. One just a regular plastic bag, and the
other will be 2 (one inside the other) with a layer of crisco smeared between them.
This will allow the student to place their hand inside the bags and place a ice cube
in the palm of their hand. The regular bag will allow the child to feel the cold of
the ice cube. The bag with the crisco will act as an insulator and the childs hand
will remain warm despite the cold of the ice cube, representing the layer of fat
animals store before going into hibernation.
4. The children will pass around the regular plastic bag first and then the crisco bag.
5. Once every child has had a turn to feel both, the teacher will collect and dispose
of all materials.
6. The teacher will lead a brief discussion about the demonstration and what the
students reactions were.
7. The teacher will then ask the children to move closer to her chair as she reads a
quick story based on hibernation.
8. Once the story is finished, the teacher will go over what animals from the story
hibernated and what it means to hibernate.
9. The teacher will then excuse the students back to their seats. She will have the
paper passer hand out the worksheet.
10. The worksheet will ask the students to recall 5 animals from the story that
hibernate, a definition of hibernation and a drawing of a hibernating animal.
Closure: The teacher will collect all worksheets. The teacher will then refer back to the
anchor chart for a last time and quickly recap the main facts about Hibernation.
Differentiation: The teacher will walk around the room during the worksheet activity
and gently assisting with clues that will steer the student in the right direction. The
teacher will allow all students the opportunity to respond during the discussion by
allowing an adequate response wait time.