Materials
Favorite book about whales Boot or mitten with removable insulated liner
Cold water 2 medium-size bowls
Solid cooking shortening Paper towels
Instructions
1. At circle time, read your favorite book about whales.
2. Discuss how some whales live in very cold water. How do they stay warm? How do people stay warm?3. Explain that people can wear extra layers of clothing. Show the boot or mitten and remove the liner. Discuss how this extra layer keeps people warm.
4. Since whales don't wear clothes, how do they stay warm in the very cold water?5. Here's a fun way to demonstrate how they do it: Fill 2 bowls three-quarters full with cold water. Ask a child to place one hand in each of the bowls. How does it feel? Both hands are cold. Now the teacher completely covers one of the child's hands with shortening. Place this hand in one of the bowls and place the other hand in the other bowl. Which hand feels cold? The hand covered with shortening is protected from the cold. Whales are also protected from the cold with a layer of fat called "blubber." Using paper towels, clean off the child's shortening-covered hand.More to doHome living: Have many types of clothing available in this center so the children can practice dressing in layers: T-shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts, boots, socks, mittens, etc.More science: Fill a clear plastic soda container, 12 to 20 oz. (375 ml to 625 ml), label removed, half full of water. Add a few drops of blue food coloring. Add baby oil to fill the container to about one inch (2.
5 cm) from the top. Screw on the cover tightly and shake to mix. Holding the bottle on its side, rock it gently to make "waves" appear.Original poemBlubberHere's a tale of a whale,Who was never cold!Not a bit, not even a little chilly,So I'm told!To stay warm, people wear clothes,And can even try rubber!But whales wear a wonderful thingCalled blubber!
