Activity

Bear fur study

Summary
Students touch real bear fur and examine the hair closely and compare it to their own.
Science content
Biology: Features, Adaptations of Living Things (K, 1, 3, 7)
Lessons activity is in
Materials
  • Bear fur (pelt if available)
  • Worksheet (attached)
  • Ruler with cm
  • Magnifiers
Procedure

See a real bear pelt and feel real bear fur. Find the underfur that keeps them warm, and the guard hairs that keep off rain and dirt. Use a magnifier to look at the fur closely.
Compare to their own hair. Draw bear fur and their own hair.
Measure how long bear fur is and record.
What do we wear that does the same job as the different kinds of bear fur?
If time, talk about how much fat a bear has (4cm). Compare to our own layer of fat.
If time, talk about different colours of bear fur.

Grades taught
Gr K
Gr 1
Gr 2