TOPICS: Weather, ecology, creative writing, art, geography
LEVEL: Middle and high school
TIME: One class period or homework assignment.
INTRODUCTION: Emphasize that the Inuit terms are to be used as a guide to the diversity of snow types and conditions, not merely as new vocabulary words to be learned.
NOTE: This activity provides an opportunity for creative expression. Students may wish to write stories or poems, using Inuit terminology. Some may go to their media center to learn more about the culture of people who live in the far north. Students with artistic talents might illustrate their work with drawings, paintings, and other art work
.
PROCEDURE:
Activity may be done as a class in an undisturbed area near school, or individually as homework.
QUESTIONS 1-8 require higher order thinking skills. We recommend that you discuss these questions in class before having students write out their answers
.
1.
Fresh falling snow has elaborate hexagonal crystal structure depending on environmental conditions. Wind-blown snow crystals are typically damaged, broken crystals
.
2.
Small mammals can burrow through and move in fresh powder snow more easily than sun- crusted snow. Rabbits may have more difficulty moving on sun crust depending on its slipperness and ability to support weight. Deer are hampered by sun crust as well as by deep powder snow
.
3.
The snow on trees may break branches. The weight of the snow may lower branches to within reach for feeding animals. It provides an insulating blanket for some roosting birds. Deer congregate under conifers with qali, because these sites are warmer and the snowpack underneath is less deep
.
4.
The lack of snow around the base of trees exposes weed and other seeds for birds and rodents. This region is often used for temporary shelter by animals such as grouse, rabbits, and moose
.
5.
The snowpack provides an insulating blanket for warmth and protection from the wind to both plants and animals. Small animals can easily tunnel through the low density bottom layer (pukak) with its large ice crystals and air spaces
.
6.
Snow tends to drift anywhere that wind velocity is reduced, such as behind an obstacle
.
7.
Compaction of the snow, drifts formed by plowing, and snow removal change the environment factors and could be harmful to plant and animal life
.
8.
Answers will vary depending on snow conditions encountered.