Prowling Polar Bear

crayola supplies

Pointed Tip Scissors
Model Magic® Fusion™

household supplies

aluminum foil

Why?

Show support for preserving threatened and endangered species! Create a replica of a polar bear with Crayola Model Magic® Fusion™ glitter textures.

Steps

1. The United States, Canada, Denmark, Norway, and the Soviet Union signed an agreement in 1973 to protect polar bears. Each country either banned hunting or established rules for how many polar bears could be hunted within its own boundaries. These rules help keep polar bear populations stable. Today, between 25,000 to 40,000 polar bears roam the Arctic. Global climate changes may mean big changes for the habitat of polar bears. What you can do to help protect arctic animals? Research the issues, find pictures, and then sculpt a replica of one of these magnificent creatures.
2. Create a base form for your polar bear by crumpling aluminum foil into a shape that resembles the creature’s body. Cover the foil with a thin layer of Crayola Model Magic® Fusion™ Silver Crystal or Gold Glimmer compound.
3. Flatten more layers of compound to make icy, thick fur on its back, shoulders, and chest. Cut rounded or jagged sections with Crayola Scissors. Feather the edges with a toothpick. Press the slabs into place on the bear.
4. Shape and add ears, a tail, and other features using more Fusion compound. Use bits of Black Stars Fusion material to make nose, eyes, and claws. Model Magic® Fusion™ dries to the touch overnight and dries completely in 2 to 3 days.

adaptations

Create a 3-D globe of the world using a large foam ball and Crayola Paint. Cut out paper shapes of endangered species and color them with Crayola Markers. Glue each species to its appropriate location on the globe.

Find out what kind of environment polar bears live in, what foods they eat, and how they spend their days. Prepare a report. Create dioramas in which to display polar bears in their natural surroundings. Display reports and dioramas together.

Study other endangered or threatened species and write poems about how important it is to protect them.

Assessment: In groups, students brainstorm practical ways to have an active role in conservation. Pick a method and implement it as a group project!

benefits

Students become familiar with efforts to preserve wildlife to secure the survival of valuable species.

Students research information on how climate changes are affecting polar bear habitats in the arctic.

Students sculpt realistic replicas of polar bears.

grades

Grades 1 to 3
Grades 4 to 6
Grades 7 to 12

subjects

Science
Visual Arts

time

30 to 60 minutes
Multiple Sessions

curriculum standards links

US: Research U.S. Standards
UK: Research UK Standards
Canada: Research Canada Standards

safety guidelines

Crayola Modeling Materials including Crayola Model Magic®, and Model Magic Fusion™, Crayola Air-Dry Clay, and Crayola Dough—

Keep away from open flames. Do not use to make candleholders, hot plates, trivets, or other similar objects that will be used or placed near fire and other heat sources.
Do not put in an oven, microwave, or kiln.
Do not make into vessels/containers that will hold unpackaged food.
The use of modeling material to make items that look like food is discouraged for children younger than age 5 to avoid their confusion with real food.
Unless sealed with a water-resistant glaze, do not make projects exposed to or immersed in water, such as boats or outdoor bird feeders. They would disintegrate when exposed to moisture.
Crayola Dough—contains gluten (wheat flour) as an ingredient.
Crayola Air-Dry Clay, Crayola Model Magic and Model Magic Fusion are gluten-free. However, they are produced on the same machinery as Crayola Dough which does contain gluten. Although the machines are cleaned prior to the start of each production run, there is a slight possibility that trace amounts of gluten from Crayola Dough may be present in the other modeling compound products. For information regarding specific ingredients or allergic concerns, please call our Consumer Affairs department at 1-800-272-9652 weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.