Thicker Fur in Winter

Animals change their bodies and lifestyles with the seasons and other situations in order to survive. For each type of animal and their environment, their adaptations are different and necessary to themselves. 

Driving Question

• How do dogs adapt with the changing seasons?

Probing Questions

• Why do you think dogs need to adapt with changing seasons?
• How might dogs have to adapt differently if they lived somewhere with different seasons?
• Are there other animals that adapt like dogs? What other ways do animals adapt? 

Classroom Suggestions

Students could:

• Bring in an animal or view a picture or video. Have students notice and wonder things about the animal. Question how they think that animals could adapt to changing seasons, why it might not survive well in different environments, and what features that animal has to help them adapt to the environment they live in. 
• Participate in a hands-on investigation to discover how adaptations help animals survive in their environment. (ex. Comparing their hands in snow or ice versus wearing “fur” (gloves) as dogs do.)
• Gather informational texts about a specific animal and work to answer the questions developing when first investigating how animals adapt to their environment. Have students work together and present their findings as they get them.

Relevant Related Resources

Project WILD: K-12 Curriculum and Activity Guide | Fish Wildlife: Project WILD is an activity guide for educators that contains activities tied to objectives surrounding animals. This source specifically contains a section on animal changes and adaptations containing more activity ideas for the teacher.  
Animal Adaptations: Facts | Science Trek: This website provides factual information about adaptations and what they are.