January Book of the Month
Knut
How One Little Polar Bear Captivated the World
Told by Juliana, Isabella, and Craig Hatkoff
And Dr. Gerald R. Uhlich
Through this book, students will:
Read and identify non-fiction
Analyze the character traits of Thomas and of Knut
Understand the meaning of parental responsibility
Identify the importance of Knut’s story
Use a Question Wheel to illicit higher levels of thinking during discussion
Integrate elements of the book into the content areas
Use Thinking Maps to analyze characters and story plot
enclosure
tussle
incubator
focused
boisterous
captivated
cozy
enclosure
Berlin, Germany
millions
determined
plumper
thrived
Knut (snowball/knot)
clambered
charmed
admire
icy regions
encouraged
steer
VOCABULARY
eagerly
survived
thrived
veterinarians
wrestle
toasty
yelp
extinct
nuzzle
impatient
veterinarians
unusual
anxious
survive
hand-raise
unfortunately
devote
developed
foster
focused
expert
pounce
knowledge
excitedly
public
explored
viewed
strayed
temperatures
swollen
shrinking
sore
extinct
gums
waddle
lively
nip
creature
independent
inspire
cradled
wobbly
International celebrity
groom
tablespoons
boil
formula
sterilize
exhausting
routine
rejected
journalists
enclosure
Tug-of-war
wading
shallow
hesitated
patiently
natural habitat
GENRE
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Non-Fiction
LITERARY
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ELEMENTS
Characterization
Point of View
LANGUAGE ARTS
Writing Activities:
Write From The Beginning: Use the theme of Informational Writing: Polar Bears
Write From The Beginning: Use the theme of Expository Writing: How to Care for a
Baby Polar Bear
Write From The Beginning: Use the theme of Imaginative Narrative: The Day I Found
A Polar Bear in My Bedroom
Letter Writing: Read the letter at the front of the book
Descriptive Language: Use the photos in the book to work with students on descriptive
language and adjectives that describe Knut. Anchor charts of these descriptions will be
helpful for students’ writing activities.
Thinking Maps
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Create a flow map that charts the growth of Knut.
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Use a bubble map to describe Knut or to describe his foster father, Thomas.
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Use a tree map to categorize the different types of things mentioned in the book
Knut
Looks
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Sees
Acts
Use a double bubble map to compare a baby bear to a human baby; compare a
mother bear to a human mother at the birth of their new babies. Also
compare/contrast Owen and Mzee (from our previous BOM)
MATH
Measurements: find the measurements used in the book in caring for Knut
Measurements: compare the size& weight of Knut with that of a human baby
Science
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Environmental Responsibility
Global Warming
Study and learn about HIBERNATION and the seasons
International Symbol – design one/create one (i.e. World Wildlife Fund) Also see
the one on the cover page. This can be shown after the students design their own
symbol. What is the Zoo Berlin’s Symbol
Habitats – dioramas or each all can take on a habitat and decorate to depict. Write
short informational papers regarding various aspects of their habitat and its
inhabitants.
Incubators and the bear’s den – How are they the same? How are they different?
Sterilization: How do you sterilize with H2O? with fire?
Paw Prints: study, identify, bear, bird, dog, cat, etc. Compare the bear paw print
to your hand/foot size & shape.
Schedules: for Knut and human baby (compare ages) make and compare eating
schedules (how often do they eat) Also crawling: how old was Knut when he
pulled himself along with his front paws, when he took his first steps. Compare
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this information with a human baby. Eating schedules: create and compare.
Teeth coming in: compare Knut with a human baby.
What may be the causes of the polar region shrinking? What are some things we
can do to help stop or slow down the ice melting? (environmental awareness,
conservation, alternative fuels, and energy sources. Do we have any that we
should be using in El Paso?
Why doesn’t Knut look wet in the pictures of him wading in the water?
(Remember baby oil---Polar bears have a natural water repellant but they must
clean themselves to spread the oil into the fur—think about a duck.)
Webbed paws: demonstrate how they move through H2O by spreading fingers
apart and trying to pull H2O then close fingers and try to move H2O. Which way
moved the most H2O?
Blubber: How does it keep polar bears warm—get bucket of ice. Put hand in a
glove and then put it in ice—feel how cold it is. Fill a glove with shortening. Put
the gloved hand in the shortening glove then put the hand in ice. Is there a
difference? (This can be done without the glove but some might “creep out” over
it.
Take a poll: What would your class like to do to help reduce the harmful gasses.
Let Ms. Patti know your results.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Knut lived in Berlin. Use a world map to locate Germany and Berlin.
Discuss Foster Care: animal/human
Discuss the sacrifices Thomas made in order to provide constant care to Knutl
Have conversations about Knut’s eating, playing, toys, need for closeness to
“parent”, need for an adult to teach him things, need for correction
How can people unite to take care of our planet?
Study the career of a Veterinarian.
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P.E.
Discuss the Dental Health given to Knut. Incorporate the students’ dental health
and use this as a learning opportunity for good dental health.
Tug-Of-War
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FINE ARTS
Introduce students to Elvis Songs: Thomas played these for Knut
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Websites:
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Animals/CreatureFeature/Polar-bear
http://www.geocities.com/mikepolarbear/
http://www.knut.net/