💧 Buckets, Big Splashes and Big Questions: Starlings Meet the Polar Bears

Feb 5th

🐻‍❄️ Polar Bear Adventures for Starlings Year 

Starlings Year 4 children really enjoyed their virtual polar bear talk with Yorkshire Wildlife Park today and learnt so much about polar bears in the wild and in captivity. The children asked such pertinent, thoughtful questions and were absolutely delighted to see the polar bears playing with a bucket, diving into the water and even tucking into some chicken!
Mrs Pywell was incredibly proud of the way the children represented St Peter’s and how engaged they were with their learning. She said:
“The children were captivated from start to finish. They listened so carefully, asked mature, curious questions and showed such empathy for the polar bears and their habitats. It was wonderful to see their faces light up when the polar bears started playing in the water – a real ‘wow’ moment for all of us!”
Opportunities like this are a lovely way of living out our school vision of Love, Learn, Shine –
  • Love for God’s creation and the animals we share our planet with,
  • Learn through real-life experiences and expert talks,
  • Shine by being thoughtful, reflective children who care about the world and their role in it.
We are so grateful to Yorkshire Wildlife Park for giving Starlings such a memorable and inspiring learning experience.

Ideas to follow up at home 🏡

If your child was part of the visit, here are some simple ways you can keep the learning going at home:
  • Talk together
    Ask your child to tell you three new facts they learnt about polar bears in the wild and three things they found out about polar bears in captivity.
  • Create a polar bear fact file
    Children could make a poster, leaflet or PowerPoint with key information: where polar bears live, what they eat, why they are vulnerable and how people can help.
  • Map it out
    Look at an atlas or online map together and find the Arctic region. Talk about how it compares to where we live – climate, daylight, ice and snow.
  • Think about climate change
    In an age-appropriate way, you might discuss how melting sea ice affects polar bears and what small changes families can make to care for the environment (recycling, using less energy, walking instead of driving for short journeys).
  • Get creative
    Encourage your child to draw or paint a polar bear scene, write a short story from the perspective of a polar bear, or design an ideal enclosure that keeps polar bears safe, stimulated and happy.
  • Visit again – virtually or in person
    If you’re able, you might like to plan a family visit to Yorkshire Wildlife Park, or look at their website together to find out more about the animals they care for and the conservation work they support.

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