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Practical Polar Bears (God's Animals)
by Sandra Harris

Polar Bears have just what they need to survive in a cold, snowy environment, including "sunglasses" to protect their eyes from the sun's glare on snow. This lesson teaches about trusting God to care for us.

Characteristic: trusting God to care for our needs

Bible Verse: You made me in an amazing and wonderful way. Psalm 139:14 ICB

Concepts:

Although most polar bears have white fur, some have yellow or gray fur. The polar bear’s fur coat keeps him warm in the snow and ice, and in the freezing Arctic waters. Some polar bears enjoy the water so much that they spend most of their lives in it.

Seal is the polar bear’s favorite food. Although the polar bear’s eyes have special filters to protect them from the sun’s bright glare, night is a favorite time for polar bears to hunt because they can more easily identify scents and follow them. A polar bear can sprint at 25 miles per hour. The combination of speed and non-skid soles on their feet allow polar bears to run across thin ice without breaking it, even though adult polar bears can weigh half a ton.

In March, mother polar bears and their cubs leave their dens in search of food. By summer’s end, the cubs weigh about 200 pounds and are ready to live on their own.

When God designed the polar bear, He made it just right for a cold, snowy environment. God gave the polar bear a thick, white fur coat to keep him warm and to hide in the snow. He equipped the polar bear’s eyes with built-in “sunglasses” to protect them from the glare of sunshine on snow. And he put non-skid pads on the polar bear’s feet so that it can run on ice without slipping.

When God made man, He also designed man’s body just right for the way that man lives. He gave us legs and feet so that we can walk and run upright without using our arms. He gave us hands that can do many, many things. He gave us the five senses to help us learn about our world. And he gave us a marvelous brain to help us adapt to our world. Whenever something goes wrong with a part of our body, we can use our brain to think of ways to do things differently, like making eyeglasses to see correctly when our eyes get bad.

Center Activities

Manipulatives: Put out a variety of manipulatives (Legos, blocks, etc.). As children play, guide the discussion toward themes of how man has learned to design and build things that enable him to live in many climates and environments: snowy, rainy, hot, tropical, desert, city, country, etc. Talk about how amazing our hands are – think of the many different things we can do with them.

Art: After discussing what an all-terrain vehicle is, give children a variety of materials and ask them to design an animal that can live anywhere in the world: desert, snow, air, water, etc. Some children might prefer to draw their ideas while others might prefer constructing three-dimensional samples. (Note: try to include some different materials than those used in the Nuthatch lesson.) When they’re finished, let them share about their creations. When appropriate, mention some of God’s all-terrain animals: certain insects, ducks, amphibians and man.

Craft: Paper Plate Polar Bear

Materials:
one large and one small white paper plate per child,
white construction paper,
glue or glue sticks,
scissors,
markers or crayons,
stapler.

To Make:
1. Before class, staple the small paper plate HEAD to the large paper plate BODY.
2. In class, have children cut out ears, arms and legs from white construction paper and glue them to the body. Use markers or crayons to add facial details.

Story Time: Cub’s First Day Out

Enrichment Ideas:

1. Show the children pictures of the many kinds of environments that man lives in. Talk about the different clothing, homes, vehicles, etc. necessay to survive in each.

2. After learning about the polar bear and its special abilities, ask the children how man has learned to do the same things. For example:

Walk on ice – ice skates, rubber-soled shoes

See in bright sunlight -- sunglasses

3. Snack: make white cupcakes frosted with white icing. Add coconut if desired. Decorate with polar bears made from large and small marshmallows.

4. Make “snow” paintings using white paint on blue or black paper.

5. If you live near snow, plan a time to play in it: go sledding, make snow angels, make a snowman or a snow fort, paint the snow with water colored with food coloring, etc.

6. Make snowflakes. A simple method for young children is to glue three craft sticks together crossing at the center. Paint white, then glue on glitter of your choice. Optional: glue on a loop of string or yarn for hanging.

7. Snow Dough: Mix Ivory soap flakes with a small amount of water until it’s the consistency of play dough. Make polar bears or snowmen. If desired, allow to harden and use as a bar of soap. Or whip the soap mixture with an egg beater or an electric mixer until it’s stiff, then play with it as a soft modeling clay. Or leave it on the soft side for use as fingerpaint. Warning: this stuff makes floors very slippery – with younger children, spread old sheets under the work area before playing with the soap. Not recommended for children who still tend to put things in their mouth.

8. Hand Print Posters: Make hand prints on large sheet of construction paper (for each child). Label it with the words “My Hands Can Do Many Things” in large print. Have children dictate the many things they can do with their hands – write these things around the poster in small print.

9. Study the 5 Senses. There are many wonderful unit studies on this topic available on the internet and in library books.

10. Books about polar bears: There are lots of books that deal with the polar bear. You should find several at your local library. Below are some of my favorite picks currently on the market. (Clicking on the link will take you to Amazon.com and more information about the book.)
If I were a Polar Bear, Rives, ages 4-8. This is a pop-up book with elaborate illustrations – makes a great gift book!
Little Polar Bear and the Husky Pup, Hans De Beer, ages 4-8. There are many other books in this series about a cute little polar bear.
The Practically Perfect Pajamas, Erik Brooks, ages 4-8. This book deals with the themes of self-esteem and being true to yourself.
God Gave Us You, Lisa Tawn Bergen, ages 4-8. A charming story that tells about pregnancy and birth at a preschooler’s level.
Little Polar Bear, Take Me Home!, Hans De Beer, ages 4-8. Another book in the Little Polar Bear series. This story deals with the topic of exploring the world outside the home, knowing there’s a safe place and a loving family to come home to.
I Love You With All My Heart, Noris Kern, ages 4-8
Mom and Me, Miela Ford, ages 4-8
Klondike & Snow : The Denver Zoo's Remarkable Story of Raising Two Polar Bear Cubs, David Kenny, ages 9-12. The title says it all!
Great Crystal Bear, Carolyn Lesser, ages 5-8. The author creatively uses elements of fiction to deliver non-fictional information about polar bears.
I Am a Little Polar Bear (I Am a Little Animal Series), Francois Crozat, baby-toddler board book
Polar Babies (Step into Reading, Step 1), Susan Ring, ages 5-8
Great Ice Bear : The Polar Bear and the Eskimo, Dorothy Hinshaw Patent, ages 9-12. Non-fiction book the deals with the relationships between polar bears and the Eskimo.
Bears : Polar Bears, Black Bears and Grizzly Bears, Deborah Hodge, ages 4-8. A non-fiction book that’s useful for doing compare and contrast studies with young children.