Venn Diagram, Wolf Pack Winter vs Human Family Winter

This is one of those activities that quietly delivers big science thinking, because it connects ecology to students’ lived experience.

Prompt

How is a wolf pack’s winter strategy similar to a human family’s winter strategy? How is it different?

Set up your Venn diagram

Label:

• Wolf Pack Winter
• Human Family Winter
• Both

Starter ideas (give students a few to spark thinking)

Wolf Pack

• travel in a line to save energy
• hunt cooperatively
• rely on natural insulation (fur)
• communicate through body language and vocalizations
• choose routes and timing to conserve calories

Human Family

• use clothing/heat for insulation
• plan grocery trips and budgets
• use vehicles/roads for travel efficiency
• rely on tools and shelters
• schedule changes (shorter days, indoor routines)

Both

• conserve energy in cold
• plan ahead
• protect younger members
• use teamwork to meet needs
• adapt behavior based on weather

Make it science (not just social studies)

Require students to add:

• 1 adaptation (physical or behavioral)
• 1 energy-saving strategy
• 1 example of communication