I think hibernation is just about the cutest Science unit to teach!
I always start out by reading Bear Snores On, by Karma Wilson. (If you haven't read all of her "bear" books, you are definitely missing out! My class can't get enough of them!)
Towards the end of our hibernation study, I send a note home to the parents asking for the kids to bring a stuffed bear to let hibernate in our classroom cave until spring. In the spring, we will wake our bears up and read the equally adorable book, Bear Wants More. We'll also have a Teddy Bear picnic!
The kids give their bears a hug and a kiss..
...and then tuck them into the cave.
We also use interactive writing to make a sign for the cave so visitors know our bears are sleeping!
After reading Bear Snores On a few times throughout the week, we completed this adorable little book from A Place Called Kindergarten. The kids fill in the characters, setting and details.
We also make these precious hibernating bears in a cave and the kids write, "Bears hibernate in the winter." I love how different these each turn out and how the kid's personalities always shine through!
Two other hibernating books I make sure to read every year are, Time to Sleep, by Denise Fleming and All About Hibernation, by Tori Kosara. These books are great for talking about fiction and nonfiction since the book covers are very similar.
