Page 3 - Kind News, Jan/Feb 2022, Teacher Guide

P. 3

ANSWER KEY DO ACTIVITIES

ONLINE AT
KINDNEWS.ORG!
1
H
How Animals Survive The Winter Crossword FROM PAGE 6 2

B I R D S
B
ACROSS DOWN 3 F O R A G E
2. --------------- that do not migrate in the winter 1. Bears and groundhogs are some animals R
will fluff their feathers and eat more to survive. who______________ , or become inactive, 4 M N

3. in the wintertime. I A
nstead of hibernating, mice ___________ for G T
I
food in the warmest part of the day. 4. Geese _____________, or fly to warmer 5
climates, to avoid cold weather. S Q U I R R E L S
5.
_____________ gather food such as acorns 7. A
in autumn to prepare for winter and share Some deer ______________ to winter T
their tree dens with others to stay warm. temperatures by growing a coat with long 6 S N A K E S
7

6. hair that helps them stay warm.
_________ are cold-blooded animals D
who are awake, but sluggish, during A
the winter. This is called brumation. P
T
Critter Clues FROM PAGE 7
Our mystery critter is the flying squirrel. This unique rodent Math Problem
lives primarily on three main continents: North America (with
FROM PAGE 2
small populations in Central America), Asia, and Africa. There are
two North American species of flying squirrel: the northern flying 25 inches (Length)
squirrel and the southern flying squirrel. Flying squirrels live across x 25 inches (Width) =
a range of climates, but survive best in forested areas. However, 625 inches)
since they are nocturnal, people don’t often get the opportunity to see L x W = Area
them. They are omnivorous and eat a variety of foods, including mushrooms,
berries, bird eggs, insects, and flowers. They are also very resourceful and can store up to 15,000 nuts in a single season!
Flying squirrels are known for their ability to glide from tree to tree. They can travel more than 150 feet with one glide, at up
to 20 miles per hour! The membrane stretching from their wrists to their ankles, called a patagium, is what allows them to
glide. It also acts as a parachute. When they want to glide from one tree to the next,
they launch themselves from a high branch, spread out their limbs, and steer with their
legs and tail. They use their tail and cartilage near their wrists to help them stop.
A few species of flying squirrel are endangered. The San Bernardino flying squirrel in California faces decline as the fungi
they rely on for food has become less available due to the effects of climate change. The Virginia northern flying squirrel’s
populations in West Virginia have also declined drastically because of clearing of red spruce trees in their habitat. However,
people have helped the Virginia northern flying squirrel’s population start to grow again by working to restore spruce forests.
You can help flying squirrels by raising awareness about their habitat and doing your part to combat climate change! For
more information, visit nwf.org and search “flying squirrel.” BOOK NOOK

this page: (critter clues) bigstock, redrover. illustrations are engaging with bright colors, and the story is told in a way that can help students better understand the
Marvin, Trap King for a Day

Written by Elysa Rubee, Illustrated by Rachel Martin | Recommended for ages 8-11
The first in a series of Trap King books, the story is about a young boy named Marvin who is ready for his
first pet. One day, as Marvin and his friends are outside playing, they run across a feral kitten in danger.
When the Trap King, a man known for his ability to help feral cats, steps in to assist the group, Marvin and
his friends have a wild adventure saving the kitten and learning about Trap Neuter Return (TNR), a
method of humanely caring for feral cats. Trap King for a Day is a story with diverse representation. The

challenges and benefits of TNR.

1 2 3 4