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Simple Hibernation Unit Study for Elementary

November 9, 2017 by Selena Robinson 1 Comment

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Hibernation Unit for Homeschoolers
Homeschool Unit Studies: Hibernation Unit - Look! We're Learning!
Share the fun hibernation crafts and activities in this hibernation unit study with the kids this winter!

We’re sharing another entry in our unit studies series today: a fun hibernation unit study!

Since winter time is fast approaching, I thought it would be fun to look at hibernation – how it works, what it is, and which animals do it every year.

Plus, it’s a great excuse for talking about sleep, which I desperately need more of these days. (I’m sure I’m not alone there.)

Printable Hibernation Unit Sorting Activity

Even if your students are always on the move and rarely want to sleep (like mine), learning about hibernation is just plain fun!

It’s really amazing to learn about mammals that sleep most of the winter season and what they do to prepare for that time of year.

Elementary Hibernation Sorting Activity

And that’s what this hibernation unit is designed to help kids do. Plus, there’s a printable hibernation sorting activity you can pick up for free!

Read on to see how to get your copy.

If you enjoy this unit, don’t miss our bears unit study and our list of children’s books about owls!

This hibernation unit study is full of fun hibernation crafts and activities for kids!

Hibernation Unit Study for Elementary Kids

When we put together a unit study, we typically include books, crafts, printables, and more.

While I don’t always use every resource, I like to have as many as I can. That way, we can always stretch a topic out if the kids are super interested.

In this hibernation unit, you’ll find books about hibernation, crafts and activities for learning about hibernation, and a printable hibernation animals sorting activity.

There’s also a super cool hibernation facts video that explains this process in kid-friendly terms.

What is Hibernation?

Watch this video and see if students can answer the questions that follow!

1. What is hibernation? (Answer: The long sleep that some animals take during winter.)
2. Why do animals hibernate? (Answer: Because the weather gets cold and food becomes hard to find.)
3. How do animals prepare for hibernation? (Answer: As winter gets closer, they eat a lot of food to store fat that will keep them alive during winter.)
4. Why do some animals store food before winter? (Answer: These animals wake up from their hibernation to eat a little.)
5. Name a few animals that hibernate. (Answer: Bats, snakes, bears, hedgehogs, ground squirrels, groundhogs, and marmots)
6. Where do animals hibernate? (Answer: Wherever they feel safe from predators. Some hibernate in caves and some hibernate under the ground.)
7. What is the difference between sleep and hibernation? (Answer: During hibernation, the animal’s body temperature drops and its heart rate slows down. These things don’t happen during regular sleep.)
8. What is it called when animals hibernate during summer? (Answer: Aestivation)

These hibernation books for kids are awesome for studying how animals prepare for winter!

Hibernation Books for Kids

Share a cozy storytime session with these kids’ books about hibernation! (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

  • Don’t Wake Mr. Bear! by Jill Newton
  • Scholastic Reader Level 2: Hibernation by Tori Kosara
  • Hibernation Station by Michelle Meadows
  • Hibernation (Patterns in Nature Series) by Margaret Hall
  • What is Hibernation? (Science of Living Things) by John Crossingham
  • Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner
  • Sleepover with Beatrice and Bear by Monica Carnesi
  • National Geographic Kids: Sleep, Bear! by Shelby Alinsky
  • When It Starts to Snow (An Owlet Book) by Phillis Gershator
  • Baxter’s Hibernation by Michelle M. Birkenstock
This fun hibernation sorting activity is a great way to teach students about animals that hibernate!

Which Animals Hibernate? Sorting Activity

Once we learn about what hibernation is, it’s natural for students to wonder which animals hibernate and which animals don’t hibernate.

Teach them about some of the species that do with this free printable animal sorting activity!

Printable Hibernation Unit Sorting Activity for Kids

This is a very simple resource to use for teaching hibernation in early grades.

Students can cut out the animal picture cards and then paste them into the correct column.

Hibernation Sorting Activity for Elementary

And an answer key is included!

Printable Hibernation Activity for Kids

To get your copy of these Arctic Animals flashcards, click the image or the link below to have it sent directly to your inbox!

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>>> Which Animals Hibernate? Sorting Activity <<<

Hibernation Crafts and Printables:

Try these crafts and printables about hibernation for more learning fun during your hibernation unit!

  1. Printable Early Reader Hibernation Books – The Measured Mom
  2. Hibernation Sensory Bag – School Time Snippets
  3. Paper Bag Chipmunk Craft – I Heart Crafty Things
  4. Animals in Winter Printable – 3 Boys and a Dog
  5. Hibernating Bear Craft – Apples and ABCs
  6. Hibernation Vs Migration: Animal Sorting Activity – Totschooling
  7. Hibernating Bear Paper Bag Craft – Almost Unschoolers
  8. H is for Hibernation Craft – Teaching Mama
  9. Hibernating Bear Paper Plate Craft – A Little Pinch of Perfect
  10. Hibernating Animal Puppets – Love to Teach

Did you enjoy this hibernation unit study? Check out these other winter learning ideas!

These easy kid crafts for winter are a perfect way to pass a cold winter's day!
These owl books for kids feature gorgeous pictures and illustrations for learning about these nocturnal flyers!
These winter books for kids are great for sharing as a family!

Filed Under: Unit Studies Tagged With: bears, fall, hibernation, hibernation unit, hibernation unit study, homeschool unit studies, science, unit studies, unit study, winter

Comments

  1. Tanya Wright says

    August 1, 2018 at 3:26 pm

    This looks like a fun hibernation unit study! Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Selena, a teacher and a veteran homeschool mom to four. I'm so glad you're here!
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