How Do Animals Get Ready for Winter?
hibernate
Created by: Julie Drury

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updated 4/8/2010

Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Resources

Introduction:
    During the winter, the animals at the National Zoo were very cold.  The bears could not stop shivering and the monkeys' teeth were chattering.  The summer zoo keepers began migrating to Florida and the National Zoo needs to hire winter zoo keepers that can help the animals get ready for winter next year.  They are accepting applications until November 30, 2011.  



Task:
    The applicants must draw how these animals get ready for winter and they must create an animal profile to present to the owner of the National Zoo.  He will read these profiles to see which applicant knows the most about the animals and will be the best winter zoo keeper.  There is not much time, winter will be here in a few weeks!



Process:
1. The teacher will put you in groups of three.
2. Choose one person to be the "reader"; one person to be the "writer"; and one person to be the "navigator".
    The "reader" will read each page.
    The "writer" will write your report.
    The "navigator" will click on each link.
3. Choose one of the animals from the zoo that needs to get ready for the winter weather.  

    bear         butterfly            frog            bird         snake    
     
         

4. Visit the websites below and look for the animal you chose.  When you find your animal, read the information to find out how this animal will get ready for winter.

Click on the underlined words to visit the website.  
Bears bear
Butterflies butterfly
Frogs
Frog Video
Frog Hibernation
frog
Birds bird
Snakes snake

5. As your group visits the site, discuss what you learned about the animal.
6.
Have your "writer" fill in the information on your animal profile.
7. When your animal profile is finished, get a piece of white construction paper.  
9.
As a group, draw a picture of your animal getting ready for winter.
10. Prepare for your presentation to the owner of the National Zoo by sharing your animal profile with the rest of the class.  



Evaluation:
The teacher will use the following rubric to assess your animal profile.  

1
Minimal
2
Satisactory
3
Excellent


TOTAL
Working together Could not work together and could not get along.

Could work together and get along most of the time.

Worked very well together and everyone got along.
/3
Animal Profile Did not draw a realistic picture.

Did not complete the animal profile.


Drew a realistic picture.

Wrote a few sentences about the animal.


Drew a realistic picture.

Wrote at least 4 sentences about the animal.
/3
Presentation Did not speak clearly.

Did not explain animal in detail.


Explained animal some detail.





Spoke loudly and clearly.

Explained animal in great detail.

/3




Conclusion:
While we wear warmer clothing, heavy jackets, gloves, and hats; animals do many different things to get ready for winter. Some will build up their body fat, slow their hearts, and sleep all winter long.  This is called hibernation.  Others will move many miles to live in a warmer place.  This is called migration.  We all must make changes in order to survive during the winter.  Congratulations!  You are now qualified to be a winter zoo keeper!

Resources:
The following websites were used as reference in this webquest:
Frog hibernation:  http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/23872-frogs-frog-hibernation-video.htm#

Bear Hibernation: http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webunits/adaptations/bears.html

Hibernation: http://www.saskschools.ca/~gregory/winter/win2.html

Migration: http://www.saskschools.ca/~gregory/winter/win4.html

Winter Preparation: http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/animals.html#ANIMALS

Butterfly Migration:
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarch/Map_NASAglobeMX.html
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarch/AboutFall.html
http://www.monarchbutterflyusa.com/Migration.htm