A guide for using our resources

Students will recognize how lynxes’ body parts help them stay warm.

Vocabulary: survive, beard, papillae

Science Focus: animal adaptations

CCSS (and states that have similar standards): RI.1.1 key details; RI.1.4 vocabulary; RI.1.5 nonfiction text features; RI.1.7 use visuals; RI.1.10 informational text; SL.1 participate in conversations

Simple, spectacular ideas to boost your lessons.

• Discover more arctic animals with this rhyming text that can be sung to the familiar tune of “Over in the Meadow.”

• Before reading, look at the cover of the issue. Ask students to think about what they know about cats. Write down students’ ideas.
• After reading the article, revisit students’ ideas about cats. Have a class discussion about the class list. Are these true for snow cats? Do lynxes have the same body parts as other cats? Make a new list or continue to add to the list using a different colored marker

• Make a chart for each body part listed in the article. Have students find one or two adjectives from the article that describes each one. As students circle it in their text, write the word on the chart.
• Sample answers: 
  • fur: thick, fluffy 
  • paws: big, wide 
  • beard: long, warm, toasty 
  • tongue: spiky

Skills: fine-motor skills, writing

Materials: My Snow Cat skills sheet, crayons, scissors, construction paper, cotton balls

• Students will build their own snowy scene as they think about what keeps their lynx warm!
• Have students decorate a snowy scene using cotton balls and glue. Students can add other winter elements by drawing snowflakes or snowy mountains.
• Then give each child a copy of the skill sheet.
• Students can color their own lynx and write one way their lynx is able to stay warm. They can cut out their work and glue it onto their snowy scene!