Step into the Arctic and discover the surprising ways polar bears thrive in a world of ice.
International Polar Bear Day celebrates one of the Arcticβs most recognizable animals while drawing attention to polar bear mothers and cubs during an especially important time of year. In late February, mothers and their newborn cubs are still tucked inside snow dens across the Arctic, preparing for the cubsβ first journey outside.
A newborn polar bear cub weighs only a little over one pound, but an adult male may weigh well over 1,000 pounds!
by Jenni Desmond
Jenni Desmond blends facts with imaginative illustrations as a young reader steps into the world of polar bears. Look closely at the pictures as you read. How does the artwork help you imagine the enormous size, icy habitat, and everyday life of a polar bear?
Maybe the wind is so cold it could freeze your eyelashes into icicles, the snow is piled higher than a mountain, or your hot chocolate turns into a popsicle before you can take a sip.
Hyperbole is an exaggeration that is not meant to be taken literally. Writers use it to make an idea stronger, funnier, or easier to picture. Start with something that really happens in the cold, then stretch it far beyond reality. Instead of The wind was very cold, what if the wind was cold enough to freeze a sneeze in midair?
Check out the biggest, best, most exaggerated hyperbole lesson ever here!
Create your own polar bear portrait using oil pastels and watercolor.
Start by drawing a large polar bear, then use black oil pastel to add outlines, shadows, and texture. Create a colorful watercolor sky on another sheet, adding falling snow or even the northern lights if youβd like. Once everything is dry, cut out your polar bear and place it against the painted Arctic background.
Try the full Polar Bear Art Project from Elements of the Art Room.
Every adventure has another path to follow. Choose a trail and see where your curiosity leads!
Polar bears are specially adapted for life in the Arctic. Thick blubber and two layers of fur help keep them warm, while broad paws help them travel across snow and ice and paddle through the water.
Wonder Challenge:
Look closely at photographs of polar bear paws, fur, ears, and body shape. Which adaptation do you think would be most useful during an Arctic winter, and why? Next, test your knowledge of polar bear adaptations with this interactive quiz from Polar Bear International.
Polar bears live in the Arctic, not Antarctica. They can be found across parts of π¨π¦ Canada, πΊπΈ the United States (Alaska), π·πΊ Russia, π©π° Denmark, and π³π΄ Norway.
Wonder Challenge:
Find the Arctic Circle on a globe or map, then locate each of these polar bear regions. Which one is closest to where you live? Bonus: Find Wapusk National Park in Canada on a map, then watch the Polar Bear International’s live cam!
Polar bear mothers give birth to their cubs inside snowy maternity dens. The tiny cubs remain protected inside while they grow stronger and prepare for their first journey into the Arctic world outside.
Wonder Challenge:
Right now, polar bear moms and cubs are snuggled together in dens across the Arctic. Learn more about how you can protect these polar bear families and ensure a future for the species at large. pbears.org/intlpolarbearday
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Keep todayβs book pick, writing prompt, family activity, and discussion ideas together in one colorful overview.
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I had no idea until I started putting this page together that polar bears and grizzly bears can produce hybrids sometimes called pizzly bears or grolar bears! I also learned that there doesnβt seem to be one universally accepted name for a group of polar bears. Some sources use celebration, others aurora or sleuth. Which one do you think fits best?
Every National Day is a starting point for curiosity! Read, write, play, and explore together as ordinary days lead to unexpected discoveries.
Follow curiosity, not the calendar. Choose the adventures that spark your interest and enjoy them whenever the time is right. β¨
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