I have a fun post about Daniel Boone explorer and adventurer. Today, we’re focused on a black bear unit study and making some fun edible bear poop. You’ll love my unit study and other ideas on my page Daniel Boone – North American Explorer and Best Homeschool Unit Studies.
If you are studying Daniel Boone, you should definitely spend some time learning zoology.
And focus ton he animals that would have frequented the woods he hunted.
For instance, learn about fox, beaver, deer, wild turkey, and today’s study black bears.
I have a fun filled hands-on list of amazing resources for a bear unit study and a deliciously gross treat to kick it off.
I have rarely met a kid who doesn’t love gross potty humor.
Besides, this craft is a fun introduction to learn a few facts about bears.
So, we’ve created an edible pile of yummy gooey bear poop
8 Species of Bear in the World
But before that I am going to load you up with books, games, and activities to make it a wildly fun bear unit study.
Did you know that there are 8 species of bear in the world?
- American Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
- Asian Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus)
- Brown Bear (Ursus arctos)
- Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
- Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus)
- Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus)
- Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus)
- Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus)
Also, focus on the black bear, which is probably the most common type for Daniel Boone to have hunted with his gun “Old Tick Licker”.
However, comparison is also a great way to learn about a topic as well.
Daniel Boone Killed a Bear
Have your child research some of the following questions:
- What is the largest species of bear? (Answer: Kodiak Bears)
- Is a koala actually a bear? (Answer: No. They are marsupials)
- Which state has the most bears? ( Answer: Alaska)
- Why do bears hibernate? (Answer: Hibernation is a voluntary state that animals enter to reduce their exposure to winter elements, conserve energy, and when food is scarce.)
- What is the average lifespan of a bear? (Answer: 10-20 years and some as long as 20)
- How far away can a black bear smell? (Answer: 1 mile)
- What are the 3 main subspecies of brown bear? (Answer: California Grizzly, Kodiak, and Grizzly.)
Furthermore, share one of the stories about Daniel Boone and bears.
Boon killed a bar on (this) tree in the year 1760.
More than a hundred and thirty years ago, he cut these words on a beech-tree, still standing in Eastern Tennessee,—”D. Boon killed a bar on (this) tree in the year 1760.”
You will see if you examine the tree, on which the words can still be read, that Boone could not spell very well; but he could what was considered more important then and that was to shoot to kill.
The tree stood on the banks of Boone’s Creek, near Jonesboro, Washington County, Tennessee.
Now, let’s look at a few more facts about black bears.
Black Bear Facts
Next, learn some fun facts about black bears.
- Black bears have 42 teeth.
- American black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location.
- Bears can see very well and in color.
- Black bears can run up to 30-40 miles per hour.
- They are most active in the morning and early evening.
- Depending on where they live, bears eat grasses, nuts, berries, salmon, small rodents, and calves.
- Having short retractable claws makes black bears excellent climbers.
- The Latin name for black bears is Ursus americanus.
- Regarding size, black bears can be 2 to 3 feet high at the shoulders and males weight 150 to 300 pounds.
- Black bears are normally solitary animals except moms with cubs.
Furthermore, here are some videos.
- Black Bear Family’s Epic Fight For Survival (Bear Documentary) YouTube.
- 5 FACTS | Black Bears (True Facts) YouTube.
- The American Black Bear: Everything You Need To Know!
- Black Bears – Yosemite Nature Notes
More Daniel Boone Resources
Look at some other fun resources.
- Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail
- Daniel Boone Exploration DIY Easy Compass Activity and Survival Ideas
- Amazing Daniel Boone Explorer Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study
Additionally, here are some books and activities to round out your study.
Black Bear Unit Study Resources
14 Books About Bears of All Kinds For Kids Who Love Reading
Add some of these fun resources and activities if you're studying about bears.
Kids love bears and in this book they'll be introduced to them all: Grizzly, polar, sun, sloth, black, and brown. Great full-color photos reveal details about how and where they live. Perfect for beginning and young readers, National Geographic Pre-readers
While I do enjoy adding theme specific books to unit studies, I really love a book that gives a lot of mileage for multiple units. The anatomy series cover so much at such an amazing price point that I think they are a must have for any nature study. While you will find several couple pages on bears, the books can be used to study landforms, other forest animals, layers of the earth, and so much more.
Another great book that will definitely get more than one use. This big beautiful picture book has perfectly sized snippets of information and makes a great reference spine.
Field guide and intrepid explorer Huw Lewis Jones and wildlife illustrator Sam Caldwell take readers out into the wild to discover all there is to know and love about the eight different species of bears.
Do you know your panda from your polar bear? Or can you spot the difference between a sun bear and a sloth bear? Follow your expert field guide as we travel deep into the woods and across Arctic ice to learn all the “bear” necessities.
This is based on a true story and makes a great independent read for your older kids.
Animal Track game is a educational game that will teach kids how to match animals with their tracks and where to find them!
Most animals do not want to come in close contact with humans, but if you learn to notice and recognize their tracks, you will be able identify which animals visit your neighborhood or like to walk along the same trails as you do. Animal tracks can become a window into an otherwise hidden world-the presence and habits of wild animals.
Is there anything they haven't made an Opoly about? This woodland themed one will be a great addition to your study.
Finally, this game has two levels making it easy to include beginners and more experienced kids in the same game, Animal identification, fun facts, and quick gameplay make this ideal for any woods, wildlife, or camping themed unit
This is a fun way to learn and reinforce the food chain in the forest, with bears being one of the apex predators, making it ideal to go along with a bear unit study.
The eating habits of bears is one of 14 topics in this clearly written look at three North American bears --- grizzly bears, polar bears and black bears.
Of the three species (grizzly/brown, polar and black bear), Taylor examines and portrays his devotion and passion specifically to the black bear, the most populous of the species.
The polar bear is the biggest and most powerful of the animals that are able to survive the hostile climate of the Arctic. Cubs are born during the cold dark winter, even though they start out with only a thin coat of fur and weigh a little over one pound. The mothers raise and teach them so they may grow and survive in the wild. Here is information about how polar bears swim and hunt, how they keep warm and dry, and the many other ways they adapt to their environment.
The Arctic might be a bit too chilly for humans, but it's the perfect home for polar bears. But the earth is getting warmer and the ice is melting. Where will the polar bears live? How can we help protect their home?
This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. It's a Level 2 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores more challenging concepts for children in the primary grades. The 100+ titles in this leading nonfiction series are:
This Incredible Planet series provides young readers with interesting information about the Earth’s most fascinating creatures.
Beautiful color photography makes each animal come to life. Learn about the polar bear’s habitat, diet, breeding, lifespan, behavior, threats, and so much more!
Now, let’s make a fun hands-on activity that all your kids are sure to love.
Edible Bear Poop (aka Scat)
Let’s make the pile of bear poop to make your lesson memorable.
You will need:
- 10 large marshmallows
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 Tablespoons hot cocoa
- 1 Tablespoon chocolate chips, butterscotch, or white chocolate
- 1 ½ cups dry ingredients- cereal, nuts, raisins, coconut, etc.
I used raisin brain and some peanuts mixed in for mine, but this is easy to adapt to whatever things you have on hand.
Directions:
Lay out a sheet of parchment paper on the counter.
Place butter and marshmallows in a large bowl and heat in the microwave in 30 second increments until completely melted.
Mix in chocolate chips.
Stir in dry ingredients until well mixed.
Plop onto parchment paper into large piles (makes about 2 good sized piles).
Allow to set up for about 1 hour.
