Last updated: December 30, 2020
Lesson Plan
The Bear Facts
- Grade Level:
- Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
- Subject:
- Literacy and Language Arts,Science
- Lesson Duration:
- 60 Minutes
- Additional Standards:
- NGSS 3-LS4-2. Use evidence to construct an explanation for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing.
Essential Question
What makes a bear unique? Why do black, brown, and polar bears live in different ranges?
Objective
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to state one fact about bears and be able to locate on a map the different ranges for black, brown, and polar bears.
Preparation
- Reading materials (some suggestions include: Alaska's Three bears by Shelley Gill, Grow! by Melvin Berger, Black Bear Cub by Alan Lind, ZooBooks on Bears, and "The Teddy Bears" video from Marshmallow Entertainment Corp., Los Angeles)
- North American bear range maps for black bear, grizzly, and polar bears
- Blank North America map
- 3 pieces large poster board or butcher paper
- Bear pictures. The Glacier and Yellowstone flickr pages are a good source.
- Crayons and colored pencils
Procedure
- Have students do independent research on facts about bears. If you are in the Glacier National Park area, see if you can borrow the bear traveling trunk.
- Discuss and chart the facts they have found.
- On the large posters, have students draw or cut out pictures and paste them on the poster. Then have them write their bear facts in and around the pictures. Give them opportunities to share what they have written.
- On the map of North America, have students shade the ranges of the three bears in different colors, making a key for each color.
Enrichment Activities
Using pictures they have found of bears, have students create a specific habitat for each bear and then place the outline in the picture.
Related Lessons or Education Materials
Want to learn more about bears in Glacier? Particpate in a distance learning session with a park ranger! Or if you are a local educator, check out our Bear Traveling Trunk.