Who’s the most special reindeer of all? Why, Rudolph of course! You’ll be reminded just how special Rudolph is when you discover how easy it is to add this reindeer-related activity to your lesson plans. All you need are large sheets of drawing paper, brown paper strips, scissors, glue, and crayons or markers. The activity makes a fun art center for all ages. After the artwork is complete, have capable kiddos measure to determine the length of each antler when its sections are placed end-to-end and then identify which antler is the longer.
So what’s the “more?” How about a few antler facts for students to consider?
- Reindeer antlers are actually bones that grow out of a reindeer’s head.
- Reindeer antlers fall off and grow back each year.
- When antlers are growing, they are covered in a fuzzy layer of skin and fur called velvet.
- The velvet covering is extra sensitive to the touch because it is filled with nerves, blood, and nutrients that help build the bone it covers.
- It takes about three months for a new set of antlers to become full grown. When this happens, the blood stops flowing and the velvet cracks and begins to peel off. A shiny new set of bony branches are revealed!
- Reindeer are unique in that both males and females grow antlers.
- Male reindeer shed their antlers during winter or spring.
- Female reindeer usually keep their antlers until summer.
Polish up those antlers, Rudolph—and that nose!
Diane
I love this idea with Math not being one of my strong subjects this is a clever idea to teach math.
Love this
Diane, Sooooo great to see all of your amazing teaching and learning ideas on this blog. YOU have always been an exceptional teacher!
We may not have reindeer in our neck of the woods but everyone who saw him, was really excited to see a moose walk by the front of the school. Moose antlers are the same as reindeer but larger and heavier. Who knows, maybe our moose will guide the sleigh this year.