Polar bears
Learn how the largest bear in the world has adapted to its unique environment of the Arctic but is also threatened by humans as your students listen to a podcast, write a journal entry, and create a plaster paw print.
© naturepl.com/Steven Kazlowski/WWF
💡 Warm up
© Wild Classroom
Classroom presentation
Polar bears
Get class started with the slide presentation about information about polar bears, why they matter, and the current threats to their survival.
© Jon Aars / Norwegian Polar Institute / WWF-Canon
Web story
Why do polar bears have white fur? And nine other polar bear facts
To learn more fun facts, have students read the web story independently. When finished, ask student volunteers to share which fact they found the most interesting.
💻 Tech time
Video: All About Polar Bears
Watch the short video together to learn the basics of these amazing marine mammals.
Podcast: The Polar Bear Adventure
Play the Tumble podcast episode to hear a scientist’s stories of flying in helicopters, getting bitten by a polar bear cub, and discovering how polar bears are surviving in a warming world.
▶️ Activities
© Wild Classroom
Reading and writing
My Day on Patrol
Lead students in reading a journal excerpt from a polar bear biologist and writing their own entries as they imagine what it’s like to be on a polar bear patrol team
© WWF
Craft
Paw to Paw
Construct plaster imprints of your students’ hands inside a polar bear’s paw to see how big they are
© Wild Classroom
Active Group Game
Polar Bear Freeze
Play a game of tag inspired by polar bears