The Kinders have been investigating the polar regions during the past two weeks. This topic has caught their curiosity and they are especially interested in the animals that live in the the polar regions and how they survive.
During writing workshop the kinders and I worked together to create anchor charts to record their thinking. They began with some excellent inquiry questions which then provided the impetus for creating learning centres, dramatic play centres and visuals which showcase their new knowledge. Here are some of their questions:
What animals live in the Arctic and Antarctica?
How are the climates different from Nanaimo?
Do the same animals live in the Arctic and Antarctica?
Do some animals migrate or change in the winter?
What seasons do they have?
Through the investigation some new vocabulary emerged such as; ice floes, ice berg, habitat, extinct, blubber, global warming & migration. When the Kinders decided to create a new dramatic play area we worked together to brainstorm what resources were needed and then together created an arctic explorer station using a blanket and cardboard blocks for a tent, camp stools, flashlight, binoculars, clipboard, jackets, small cooler and a polar bear stuffed animal. To foster language and deepen understanding we created an arctic habitat playscape using a mix of collage materials, vinyl animals and fabric. We also have added ice to our water table along with styrofoam blocks, stones and smaller arctic animals. I have included a few classroom photos at the bottom of this post of their centres and classroom displays.
On January 27th three intermediate students visited our class to discuss Global warming and the threat to Polar Bear habitat in the Arctic. The Kinders were very interested and asked many good questions about the arctic climate and risk to polar bears. The intermediate students are encouraging Cinnabar families to participate in the WWF's National Wear A Sweater Day on Feb 9th to draw attention to global warming; asking families to wear a bright sweater and turn down their thermostats. It was an excellent opportunity for the Kinders to use some of their new vocabulary and discuss some of the physical characteristics of polar animals. Here is the WWF link: http://wwf.ca/takeaction/sweater_day/
Working with big buddies, the Kinders created 3D polar landscapes using collage materials. I will post again next week with more pictures of our project. On the calendar will be an experiment, mural, more thinking maps and story responses.
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