A guide for using our resources

Children will sequence the steps of building a traditional Inuit igloo.

Science Focus: ice and snow

CCSS (and states that have similar standards): RI.1.1, L.1.2.B, W.1.1, L.1.1, RL.1.1, W.1.5

Simple, spectacular ideas to boost your lessons.

• In this story, written by an Inuit throat singer, a mother tells her child of all the gifts given by the Arctic land and animals. The book is a beautiful way to explore Inuit culture and values.

• Kids learned the word collapse from the issue. Help make the word “stick” by having kids act out what the word means.
• Let kids stand up and then collapse on the rug or a floor pillow!

Skill: observing and recording

Materials: Jacket Experiment skill sheets, kids’ own jackets, pencils

• Ask students to grab their jackets and have them ready to put on. Give each student a copy of the skill sheet.
• Remind students that igloos keep people warm through insulation. Now they will investigate insulation using jackets instead of igloos!
• Before kids put on their jackets, ask them to notice how their bodies feel without one. Have them record it in question 1 on the skill sheet.
• Then have kids put on their jackets. Wait 2-3 minutes for their bodies to warm up. Do their bodies feel warmer? What happens when they unzip their jackets? (Make sure kids don’t leave their jackets on too long!) Ask, how does a jacket keep us warm? Does it make its own heat? (No, it holds in/traps heat from our bodies.) Have children fill out the rest of the skill sheet.
• Close out the lesson by telling children that insulation can also keep cold in! Can they think of examples? (lunch box, thermos)