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Why are polar bears white?
Animal Superpowers Unit | Lesson 4 of 5

Why are polar bears white?

Animal Superpowers Unit | Lesson 4 of 5
Lesson narration:
Scroll for prep

tiger

tiger

katydid

katydid

toad

toad

all animals

moths

DISCUSS:

Why are polar bears white if they don’t have any predators (other animals that might want to eat them)?

Can you think of how this is helpful to them?

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Anchor Connection In the past lesson, you learned about camouflage. Discuss. How does camouflage help animals survive?
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Squirrels can be camouflaged in the places that they live. Discuss. Can you find the squirrels in each of these pictures?
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Discuss. How does it help squirrels to survive if they are camouflaged in each of these places?
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We’re going to do a camouflage squirrel activity, just like what you did with the moths. First, you will choose a place where your squirrel can hide. Then…
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You will color a few test squares until you have the right colors and shapes, just like you did before. Then…
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You will color your squirrel and cut it out. The squirrel is a bit harder to cut than the moth. It doesn’t have to be perfect—do your best!
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Then you will hide your squirrel in your classroom. If you need step-by-step
instructions, go here. The instructions are for moths, but you will do the same
things with your squirrels.
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habitat


1 of 7

the place where an animal or plant lives
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predator


2 of 7

an animal that hunts and eats other animals
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prey


3 of 7

an animal that is hunted by and eaten by another animal
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survive


4 of 7

to stay alive

camouflage


5 of 7

to blend in with the place around you
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model


6 of 7

a pretend version of something that scientists use when the real thing is too big, small, or complicated to work with
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experiment


7 of 7

a test used to discover new information about a question
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Lesson narration:

Grade 1

Animal Traits & Survival

Camouflage & Animal Survival

1-LS1-1

12973 reviews

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this lesson, students make observations to construct an explanation of why camouflage is helpful to animals. In the activity, Moth Hide and Seek, students test their ability to spot camouflage moths, and then design a camouflage pattern for a moth of their own and hide it in the classroom!
Preview activity

Exploration

17 mins

Grade 1

Animal Traits & Survival

Camouflage & Animal Survival

1-LS1-1

12973 reviews
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Animal Superpowers Lesson 4: Why are polar bears white?

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