Adapting to the Environment

How do living things survive harsh climates and adverse conditions?

The students are learning how God created Arctic and Antarctic animals with adaptations to help them stay warm. Polar bears and seals have thick layers of blubber to insulate them when they swim in icy waters.

Humans don’t have thick fur or layers of blubber. But our Creator endowed us with a brain equipped for invention and problem solving. The students learned this week that native people in Canada built ice houses for insulation and protection from the cold. 

In Science lab, the kids enjoyed building models of igloos using biodegradable packing peanuts.

They experienced how a layer of fat (in this case, Crisco shortening), keeps their hands warm in freezing water. 

In a perfect, Garden-of-Eden-type world, the temperature would always be comfortable, all creatures would be friendly, and we’d have everything we need without having to work.

But children learn early that life isn’t always easy. Not everyone on the playground is friendly. The cafeteria doesn’t always serve their favorite food. The work is sometimes challenging.

And sometimes it rains at recess time.

But the children are learning to adapt. They’re learning to use their problem-solving skills to navigate difficult situations and relationships.

When things don’t go their way, they’re learning to try new things and to make the best of less-than-ideal conditions. 

We’re working on skills that will help the students survive and thrive in a school setting and also in life. In T1, the students are developing character traits such as independence, persistence, responsibility, and growth mindset.

When faced with a challenging situation, these resilient students are learning to say, "I'll do my best. God will help me."

 

"… I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me."(Phil.4: 11b-13 ESV)