~Event Goal~
- Preliminary understanding of animal hibernation phenomenon;
- Can tell which animals hibernate, as well as the reasons and preparations for hibernation;
- Like to participate in scientific activities, express and discuss boldly.
~Activity Process~
01 Story introduction
Winter is here. The little yellow duck and the little white rabbit are looking for friends as usual. They came to the little frog’s house by the river, but the little frog had been sleeping and couldn’t wake up, so they had to leave. They came to the brown bear’s house again, knocked on the door for a long time, but they didn’t open it, so they had to find other friends. They walked to the little green snake’s cave, but the little green snake lay on the ground, as if they couldn’t hear them, so they had to leave disappointed. When I came to a big tree, the squirrel happened to live on it, but after shouting for a long time, the squirrel didn’t come out. The little yellow duck and the little white rabbit are very puzzled. What happened to the little animals today?
Children guess what is the reason? Because winter is here, little frogs, brown bears, little green snakes, and squirrels hibernate.
02 Cosplay
Playing a role-playing game, children play the role of little yellow duck, little white rabbit, little frog, brown bear, little green snake, squirrel, little yellow duck and little white rabbit to find friends, but they are all hibernating.
03 Discussion, understand the phenomenon of hibernation.
1) What is hibernation? What do animals do during hibernation?
The state of hibernation and sleep is very close, but not the same. While hibernating, animals stop moving, as if under anesthesia, experience a drop in body temperature, and eat little or no food, although some animals “wake up” periodically to eat a little. Hibernation is divided into three stages: onset sleep, deep sleep and exit sleep.
What is the reason for hibernation?
When the temperature drops in winter and there is a lack of food, some animals begin to hibernate in order to survive this period.
2) Which animals hibernate? Which ones don’t hibernate?
There are many animals that hibernate, such as: frogs, toads, snakes, earthworms, Asian black bears, brown bears, white bears, arctic fish, crocodiles, turtles, hedgehogs, squirrels, wasps, bats, brown swifts, hummingbirds, lizards, snails, dormouse ( Dormouse), chinchillas, hamsters, groundhogs, bobcats, some fish also hibernate, such as carp, and some small insects also hibernate in different stages.
Do children know which animals do not hibernate?
3) What do you need to prepare for hibernation?
Natural environment: the ambient temperature drops, food shortages, and other reasons such as reduced light.
Physical Condition: Weight gain. Generally, the weight of animals before hibernation increases by one to two times than usual. After hibernation, the weight gradually decreases. Animals that have stored enough fat are more likely to enter hibernation.
Other preparations: generally store food, and look for places to hibernate. For example, the ground where the sun can shine, under the stone, or tree holes and crypts. The animals would spread grass, straw, and leaves inside. After being arranged, they will curl up in groups, stop their activities, close their eyes, their breathing will weaken, and their heartbeat will slow down until they pass the winter.
Do Hibernators Need Food?
Animals stop eating during hibernation, or wake up periodically at intervals, eat a little food, and excrete. Animals survive hibernation mainly on body fat.
How long do you hibernate? when do you wake up
The length of time animals hibernate varies with climate and animal species. It usually takes a few months, for example, European hedgehogs are 3 to 4 months old, and dormice may be 6 months old. Generally, the body temperature will be raised slowly in spring to warm the body and resume normal activities.
What happens to the body of an animal after hibernation ends?
In addition to weight loss, scientific research shows that after a few months of hibernation, chinchillas will forget the route they have traveled and cannot find the place where they put food, which proves that hibernation may damage the memory of animals.
Is hibernation in danger? How do animals protect themselves in advance?
When animals hibernate, they generally do not get sick, but they may encounter external dangers. But they look for a safe place beforehand. There are also some animals that are in a semi-hibernating state. For example, when bears are hibernating, they can quickly recognize danger, respond and protect themselves.
04 Send the animals home
Now ask the group to work together to bring home the animals that need to hibernate. And each member introduces an animal to the friends, and talks about how it hibernates.
~Summary~
Review knowledge:
Do children remember which animals hibernate? What is the reason for hibernation? What do animals need to prepare for hibernation?
Expand application:
Do you have anything else you want to know about animal hibernation? You can learn more about hibernation by reading books, finding information, and consulting others.
Are children willing to share their knowledge about animal hibernation with those around them? Who do you want to share with?
If you are interested in learning more, please contact us
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