Teach students about how animals survive the winter with a unit on migration. Explain to students that many animals migrate during the winter months in search of food and warmer weather. Show students video of geese migrating in formation. Use a map to show students where elk and caribou migrate to during the winter. Ask students to make a list of animals that migrate during the winter.
Explore animals that hibernate during the winter. Show students how animals such as chipmunks eat more food during the fall months to gain weight that will give them energy during their winter sleep. Ask students to name some of the foods that hibernating animals eat to survive the winter. Show videos of animals creating burrows to sleep in during the winter. Ask students to prepare presentations to share with the class concerning different hibernating animals, including bears, hedgehogs and raccoons.
Teach students how animals adapt to winter weather by changing their eating habits. Ask students to think about the foods that aren't available to animals in the winter, such as grass, leaves or insects. Ask students to think about foods that they enjoy that aren't available fresh during the winter, such as watermelon or squash. Encourage students to learn how animals adapt their diets by eating different foods when the weather turns cold.
Teach students about the ways animals stay warm during the winter. Show students pictures of burrows where animals stay warm during the winter. Talk to students about the ways they stay warm in their homes, such as turning on the heat or starting a fire in the fireplace. Explain to students that some animals develop extra fur during the winter to keep them warm. Ask students to think about the ways they stay warm when they are outside in cold weather: Wearing warm coats and hats and snow shoes are some examples.