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Winter Thematic UnitReading and Writing Activities Index

Day 1: The Mitten Read the book The Mitten by Jan Brett to the children. Discuss the various

animals that come along throughout the story. Give each student the corresponding worksheets. Have them color the animals and “sew” with

yarn two mittens together. As you re-read the story (or sing the song) have the students put the animals in the mitten. See attachment for

corresponding song to sing as another option of reviewing story. In addition, have students complete the writing worksheet to identify sight words and

the correct spellings.*Mitten Song Attached

*Mitten Animals and Mitten Outline attached

Day 2: Two SnowflakesRead the book Two Snowflakes by Jennifer Miller and talk about how

everyone is different and unique in their own ways. Have students identify rhyming words throughout the story. Give each student the I am Unique

worksheet. Have students complete the sentence “I am unique because…” and draw a picture of something that makes them special and unique.

*I am Unique Worksheet Attached

Day 3: Snowballs Read the book Snowballs by Lois Elhert and/or The

Snowman by Raymond Briggs. Make these books available to the children throughout the day so they can return to the books as a source for winter/snowman information.

Discuss the stories and then talk about how to spell the word “snowman”. Can the students sound it out?

Add it to the word wall if applicable. Have the students write a journal entry about a snowperson

they would like to make.

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Winter Thematic UnitReading and Writing Activities Index

Day 4: Penguins Students will listen to the book Penguins by Kathleen Weidner-Zoehfeld.

Afterwards, the students will write a fact about penguins and illustrate it on each page of the booklet. The fact must be something they learned about

penguins.

For every student you will need:Cover and back page, lined pages for writing and space to draw, 1- 6”

white circle, 2- small white circles for eyes, 3- 2”x3” orange rectangles, black rectangles, scissors, glue

To make the penguin:1. Glue the circle in the center of the cover.2. Stick on two paper circles to resemble eyes.3. Cut a beak from one orange rectangle and then glue in place.4. Cut two feet from remaining orange rectangles and glue them to the

back of the booklet.5. Trim the black rectangles and glue them to the back of the booklet.

Day 5: The Snowy Day Read the book The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. Discuss the book and what activities the main character does in the snow. When finished have the children write a journal entry

about their favorite activity to do in the snow.

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The Mitten in the Snow SongTune: The Farmer in the Dell

This is the order of the animals in Jan Brett's version of the book:A mole is the first to discover the mitten and crawls inside, followed by

a snowshoe rabbit, a hedgehog, an owl, a badger, a fox, a bear and, finally a mouse.The mouse causes the bear to sneeze; the mitten and all its occupants go flying.

The mitten in the snowThe mitten in the snow

Help us please so we won't freeze!The mitten in the snow.

A mole squeezes inA mole squeezes in


A rabbit squeezes inA rabbit squeezes in


A hedgehog squeezes inA hedgehog squeezes in


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An owl squeezes inAn owl squeezes in


A badger squeezes inA badger squeezes in


A fox squeezes inA fox squeezes in


A bear squeezes inA bear squeezes in


A mouse squeezes inA mouse squeezes in


"A-choo"8

The bear says, "A-choo!"The bear says, "A-choo!"All the animals fly out ofThe mitten in the snow!

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Name______________________________

I am unique!

I am unique because …

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Winter Thematic UnitMath Activities Index

Day 1: Graphing MittensMake several copies of the attached mitten template in various different colors. Give each student a mitten (or let them choose a mitten), and as a class create a bar graph sorting by mitten color. This activity can also

be completed individually by making smaller mittens and giving each child a simple bar graph worksheet.

*Mitten Template Attached

Day 2: Measuring SnowIf you live in an area where snow can be measured on a daily basis take the opportunity to have the children measure show. Give each child a ruler and have them measure the total accumulated snow amount. If

you don’t live in an area with snow, identify an area that does experience snow during the winter months and look up the daily

weather to see the snow accumulation. Have students use a ruler to see how much snow this amounts to. Take this opportunity to discuss how to use a ruler and the difference between inches and centimeters. This

activity can be completed once, for a week or even every day for a month to track progress and practice measuring.

Day 3: Counting SnowmenGive each student the attached snowman worksheet. The worksheet works on counting, color recognition skills, and

coloring. This worksheet can easily be modified with different/additional directions to working on other skills.

*Snowman Worksheet Attached

Day 4: Penguin Color by NumbersGive each student the attached penguin worksheet.

Have them complete both the addition skills and coloring. It may be a good idea to check the addition

prior to having students color.*Penguin Worksheet Attached

Day 5: Winter ActivitiesGive each child the attached mini counting book. Color,

cut and complete the workbook. Children can either practice writing their numbers or spelling the number

words.*Mini Counting Book Attached

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Name: Date:

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Directions: Color one snowman red. Color two snowmen blue. Color three snowmen purple. Color four snowmen yellow.

(Type Work Sheet Headline Here.)

Winter Thematic UnitScience Activities Index

Day 1: Blubber MittenStudents will see how mammals keep warm even in the cold winter!

*Instructions Attached

Day 2: Viewing SnowflakesStudents will look at snowflakes with a magnifying glass to discover the many different shapes that snowflakes can take on. All students will be given a frozen black cloth so that the snowflakes don’t melt. The class

will go outside and catch snowflakes on their cloth and look at them with a magnifying glass.

Day 3: Watching Snow MeltWatching Snow Melt. Students will build small snowmen outside and we will bring them in, in clear glasses and watch them melt and talk about

how and why the snow melts.

Day 4: PenguinsLook at characteristics of penguins at

http://library.thinkquest.org/J001423/. Discuss facts about Penguins.

Day 5: Freeze a BubbleIf the weather outside is below 32 degrees, you can take your class outside. Blow bubbles and have the students catch them on wands. The

bubbles will turn into crystal balls and then shatter. Discuss what is happening with the children and watch the bubbles break apart.

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Blubber MittensTime Required: 30 MinutesMaterials Needed:

- Groups of 4- Crisco- 2 zippable sandwich bags per group- Bowl of ice water with ice cubes.

Procedure:1. Fill one of the zipper bags about 1/3 full of shortening (Crisco) then

turn the other Ziploc bag inside out. 2. Place it carefully inside the bag with the shortening and zip the 2 bags

together. 3. Put bare hands in the bowl of cold water just to feel how chilly it is. 4. Place the blubber mitten on hands and stick in the water. 5. Feel the difference! 6. Explain how animals like walrus’, whales, and seals have layers of

blubber that help them to keep warm.

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Winter Thematic UnitSocial Studies Activities Index

Day 1: Discuss Various Winter HolidaysUse the attached information sheet to teach/discuss various winter holidays. After class discussion have students complete attached

holiday worksheet charting holiday customs.*Winter Holiday Worksheet Attached

Day 2: Discuss Winter Across the United StatesUse the attached information sheet to teach/discuss the winter weather across the United States and how it affects everyday life. Use a map to

show the various regions if available.*Winter Across the United States Attached

Day 3: Paper Doll SnowmenGive each child the attached paper with the paper doll cut outs. Discuss

traditions and how paper dolls have been an activity for children for hundreds of years.

*Paper Doll Worksheet Attached

Day 4: Penguin MapPrint a large map of the school district (and surrounding

area). Have each student color a small penguin and pin it on the map where they live when they are finished. Help

students with coordinal directions. For example, “Sally lives north of Billy,” or “Billy lives south of Sally.”

Day 5: Winter ActivitiesDiscuss activities that can only be completed in the winter months or in environments that stimulate the

winter months. Create a classroom list of activities that they enjoy doing during the winter.

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Winter Holidays ArticleDo you and your family celebrate a special winter holiday? You may decorate a Christmas tree and sing Christmas carols, or perhaps you light the candles on a menorah during Hanukkah, or maybe you eat sweet tangerines and light the seven candles of a kinara for Kwanzaa.

Many people celebrate different winter holidays. Nevertheless, several of these holidays have a lot in common: They are a time for friends and families to gather together; they are a time to make special foods and desserts; and often gifts and cards are given as reminders of how much people care about one another.

Some of the winter holidays celebrated each year are Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the Winter Solstice. Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus, Hanukkah recalls the re-dedication of the temple of Jerusalem after the victory of the Maccabees, Kwanzaa is a non-religious holiday that honors African-American people and their heritage, and the Winter Solstice celebrates the sun and the end of winter.

Most winter holidays revolve around an important object of light: the Christmas lights on a Christmas tree, the nine candles on a Hanukkah menorah, the seven candles on a Kwanzaa kinara, the sun during the Winter Solstice, and the four candles on a Christmas Advent wreath.

Have you noticed that during the winter months, there are colder temperatures and less sunlight? Consequently, we turn on lights so that we may see and function indoors. We also make fires to keep us warm and protected from the winter cold. Isn't it interesting how most winter holidays also focus on light? Light certainly brings a cheerful and bright glow to the snow and darkness outside on those cold winter nights.

There is much anticipation and preparation as the excitement for the winter holidays draws near. Many families make special foods and drinks such as eggnog, potato latkes, Christmas cookies, and hot apple cider. Often, friends and families will gather together for a feast and celebration of their holiday. For Hanukkah, children may spin the dreidel and eat yummy potato pancakes called latkes. For Christmas, children may hang stockings, decorate Christmas trees, and eat plum pudding. For Kwanzaa, children may eat delicious fruit and make special bracelets and necklaces for family and friends.

All of these holidays have traditions that have been passed down from one generation to another. Hopefully, in the future, you will continue to pass down your family's customs to your own children.

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The winter holidays are a time to be creative, generous, and thankful. It is also a time to look forward to good times ahead. What do you enjoy doing most during the winter holidays?

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Holidays ChartName:____________________________________________ Date:__________________________

All of these holidays have special traditions and historical significance that make them important to the people that celebrate them. Put each holiday in the column where it belongs. Some holidays may belong in more than one column.

KWANZAA

PASSOVER

THANKSGIVING

CHINESE NEW YEAR

EASTER

CHRISTMAS

VALENTINE'S DAY

FOURTH OF JULY

CINCO DE MAYO

HANUKKAH

ST. PATRICK'S DAY

PRESIDENTS DAY

HALLOWEEN

WINTER SOLSTICE

MEMORIAL DAY

On these holidays . . .

One may have a large feast or meal

One may make or hang decorations

One may get dressed in a costume

One may have parades and sometimes fireworks

One may sing special songs

One may give someone a gift or card

One may light candles

Winter Weather Across America

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From the Mid-Atlantic Coast to New England The classic storm in these states is called a Nor'easter. A low-pressure area off the Carolina coast strengthens and moves north. Wind-driven waves batter the coast from Virginia to Maine, causing flooding and severe beach erosion. The storm taps the Atlantic's moisture-supply and dumps heavy snow over the region. The snow and wind may combine into blizzard conditions and form deep drifts paralyzing some areas. Ice storms are also a problem. Mountains, such as the Appalachians, act as a barrier to cold air trapping it in the valleys and nearby low elevations. Warm air and moisture moves over the cold, trapped air. Rain falls from the warm layer onto a cold surface below becoming ice.

Along the Gulf Coast and Southeast This region is usually doesn't get much snow, ice or freezing temperatures. Once in a while, though, cold air penetrates south across Texas and Florida, into the Gulf of Mexico. Temperatures fall below freezing, killing tender vegetation, such as flowering plants and the citrus fruit crop. Wet snow and ice accumulate on trees with leaves, causing the branches to snap under the load. Motorists are unsure how to drive on slick roads and there can be a lot of traffic accidents. Some buildings are poorly insulated or lack heat altogether so it can be cold inside! Cities may not have snow removal equipment or treatments, such as sand or salt, for icy roads.

In the Midwest and Plains Storms tend to develop over southeast Colorado. These storms move east or northeast and use both the southward plunge of cold air from Canada and the northward flow of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico to produce heavy snow and sometimes blizzard conditions. Other storms affecting the Midwest and Plains move southeast. Arctic air is drawn from the north and moves south across the Plains and Great Lakes. Wind and cold sometimes combines to cause wind chill temperatures as low as 70F below zero! The wind crosses the lakes, tapping its moisture and forming snow squalls and narrow heavy snow bands. This is called "lake-effect snow."

From the Rockies to the West CoastStrong storms crossing the North Pacific sometimes slam into the coast from California to Washington. The vast Pacific provides an unlimited source of moisture for the storm. If it's cold enough, snow falls over Washington and Oregon and sometimes even in California. As the moisture rises into the mountains, heavy snow closes the mountain passes and can cause avalanches. The cold air from the north has to filter through mountain

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canyons into the basins and valleys to the south. If the cold air is deep enough, it can spill over the mountain ridge. As the air funnels through canyons and over ridges, wind speeds can reach 100 mph, damaging roofs and taking down power and telephone lines. Combining these winds with snow results in a blizzard.

In Alaska

Wind-driven waves from intense storms crossing the Bering Sea produce coastal flooding and can drive large chunks of sea ice inland, destroying buildings near the shore. High winds, especially across Alaska's Arctic coast, can combine with loose snow to produce a blinding blizzard and wind chill temperatures to 90F below zero! Extreme cold (-40F to -60F) and ice fog may last for as long as a week at a time. Heavy snow can impact the interior of the state, especially along the southern coast. The snow accumulates through the winter months and in the mountains, it builds glaciers. The heavy snow accumulations can cause avalanches or collapse roofs of buildings. A quick thaw means certain flooding. Ice jams on rivers can also cause substantial flood

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Winter Thematic UnitDramatic Play Index

Day 1: Practicing Appropriate Winter DressHave a designated area with pretend snow, winter clothing appropriate

for winter dress, paper mittens and animals to follow along with story (see reading activities for worksheets).

Day 2: Investigating SnowflakesUsing packing peanuts allow children inspect them with magnifying glasses. Are each one the same shape? How are them alike and

different from snowflakes?

Day 3: Building SnowmenIn dramatic play area keep pretend snow and add large felt bean bags that can be stacked to make a snowman. Have children brain storm

and/or make items that can be used for the arms, eyes, nose, scarves, hats, ect to accessorize the snowman.

Day 4: Fun with Winter AnimalsIf possible have stuffed animals from the stories that have

been read previously in the week. Have the animals available for the children to play with and interact with. Include foods the animals may naturally eat, places they may naturally sleep and if possible a large mitten to act

out the story of The Mitten.

Day 5: Winter ActivitiesUsing packing peanuts allow children to shovel, blow

and complete various other winter activities.

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Winter Thematic UnitSong Activities Index

Day 1: The Mitten in the Snow(Sung to “Farmer in the Dell”)

The mitten in the snow,The mitten in the snow,

Help us please,So we won’t freeze ,

The mitten in the snow.

A ____________ squeezes in,A ____________ squeezes in,

Help us please,So we won’t freeze,

The mitten in the snow.

Day 2: Snowflakes(Sung to “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”)

Snowflakes , snowflakes falling down,On the trees and on the ground.

I will build a man of snow,Tall black hat and eyes of coal,

If the sun comes out today,I will melt away!

Day 3: A Chubby Little Snowman(Sung to “Itsy Bitsy Spider”)

A chubby little snowman had a carrot nose.Along came a rabbit and what do you suppose?

That hungry little bunny looking for his lunchATE the snowman’s carrot nose..

Nibble, nibble, CRUNCH!

Winter Thematic Unit34

Song Activities Index

Day 4: Penguin ShufflePenguins shuffle to the left, left, left

Penguins shuffle to the right, right, right.Give a little wiggle, Give a little hop

Waddle around the iceberg,Never want to stop!

Day 5: Winterby Meish Goldis

(Sung to: Farmer in the Dell)The winter days are here,

The snowflakes chill my ear,I ride my sled, my nose turns red,

The winter days are here.

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Winter Thematic UnitArt Activities Index

Day 1: Design Your Own MittensEach student will receive a pair of mittens to design however they would like. The students will cut out the mittens on their own and color them, use construction paper, glitter, glue, markers, and/or crayons to design

the mittens however they would like.Time Required: 15 Minutes *Mitten Template

Attached

Day 2: Q-Tip SnowflakesEach student will make a Q-Tip snowflake. We will talk about how no

two snowflakes are the same and after we make the snowflakes we will hang them from the ceiling in the room.

Time Required: 30 Minutes *Instructions Attached

Day 3: Sock SnowmenStudents will each make a sock snowman out of rice/beans, buttons, rubber bands, ribbon, fleece pieces, and socks! The snowmen can be

used for a winter decoration around the house or even for a doorstopper.

Time Required: 25 Minutes *Instructions Attached

Day 4: Tissue Paper PenguinStudents will make a penguin out of tissue paper and

cotton balls and give him some ear muffs to keep warm. Good for students to work on fine motor skills

with tearing and scrunching tissue paper.Time Required: 25 Minutes*Instructions Attached

Day 5: Popsicle Stick SledEach student will make their own sled out of Popsicle sticks. They will each turn their sled into an ornament to hang on

their Christmas tree!Time Required: 25 Minutes *Instructions

Attached

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Q-Tip Snowflakes

Time Required: 30 MinutesMaterials Needed:

- Bottle of glue for each student- Q-Tips (30-60 for each student)- Snowflake Patterns- Waxed paper (One 10 in sheet per snowflake)- Glitter/Glitter Glue/sequins

Procedure:Each student will receive a piece of wax paper and Q-Tips. Students will then choose a snowflake pattern and put it underneath of their wax paper. Students can cut, bend, or use full Q-tips in order to make their snowflake by gluing the Q-Tips together to fit the pattern. After the snowflake is glued together the student can design it by putting glitter or sequence on it. *It is a good idea that students make the snowflake design and then put a lot of glue over top of each point that the Q-Tips come together. The snowflakes will take a couple of hours to dry but after they do the teacher will hang them up in the classroom!

Patterns:

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Sock SnowmenTime Required: 25 minutesMaterials Needed:

- Men’s long white socks (1 sock per student)- Colored sock or fleece (for hats)- Rice or beans (for filling)- Rubber bands- Buttons- Cotton craft balls- Ribbons- Sequins

Procedure:1. Each student will fill their sock ½ full with rice or beans and shake it to

make sure the rice and beans are settled. 2. Tie a rubber band around where the filling stops and wrap it as many

times as possible3. Fill the sock with more rice or beans to make a head (smaller than the

body).4. Tie the sock with another rubber band 5. Tie a ribbon of choice around the snowman’s neck and cut a colored

sock and fold it over to make a hat. 6. Assesorize the snowman with buttons, pins, sequins, etc.

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Tissue Paper PenguinsTime Required: 30 minutesMaterials:

- White construction paper with penguin pattern. - Black and yellow/orange tissue paper.- Cotton Balls - 2 Medium sized pom-poms for each student- Pipe cleaner for each student (cut in half)- Plastic eyes- Tacky Glue- Paper Plate- Scissors- Newspaper

Procedure:1. Students cut out the Penguin Pattern. 2. Place the pattern on Newspaper and squeeze glue onto paper plate. 3. Dip cotton balls into glue and place in the middle section of the pattern4. Tear yellow tissue paper and fill the beak and feet with yellow tissue

paper.5. Fill the rest of the penguin with black tissue paper6. Glue pom-poms to each end of the pipe cleaner for ear muffs and glue

onto the penguin.7. Next glue on Plastic eyes and wait for penguin to dry!

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Popsicle Stick Sled OrnamentsTime Required: 25 minutesMaterials:

- 8 Popsicle Sticks (per student)- White Craft Glue- Yarn- Markers- Toothpicks- Glitter, sequins, buttons, ribbon

Procedure:

1. Place three craft sticks down on your surface (for the sled "panels"). Stagger the outer two sticks about 1/4" (or length of your choice) down from the middle stick as shown. Whatever stagger length you choose at this point will be repeated for the rest of the sticks on the sled.

2. Glue each of the outer sticks to the middle stick by applying a thin bead of glue to the each side of the middle stick and pushing the outer sticks into it. Hold firm for about 15 seconds.

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3. Next, assemble and glue two more craft sticks (the sled "runners") to the outside panel sticks. The runners should be placed on their sides and glued flush with the panels.

4. Assemble end panels.5. Assemble and glue the last two panels as shown. Allow the partial sled

assembly to dry before moving onto step 4.

You will be working from the top viewof the sled for step 4.

6. Turn over and assemble top cross beam.7. After the sled is dry from step 3, turn it over and glue the "cross beam"

craft stick onto the top of the sled as shown.8. Allow it to dry before moving onto step 9.9. Decorate the sled.10. When the glue on the sled is completely dry, you can decorate it

as you wish. For this project, I painted my sleds with green and red acrylic paint. After the paint dried, I tied a piece of curling ribbon onto the cross beam for the sled "handle" and hanger.

11. You can be more creative with your sled decorating if you wish. Embellish it with found objects, glitter, polymer clay figurines, or anything else that sticks to it.

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Winter Thematic UnitCorresponding Snack Index

Day 1: Mitten MuffinYou will need: English muffins, mitten shaped cookie cutter, white

frosting, food coloring, raisins, Mini M&M’s, pull n peel licorice, dixie cups, plastic knifes and napkins

Students will each get an English muffin to press the cookie cutter into. Have a station for spreading the frosting on the mitten. Use a Dixie cup to

mix colors such as red, blue, green, pink, and red. Then have a station set up so students can decorate their mitten with raisins, M&M’s, and

licorice. Have students wait until everyone has decorated to enjoy their snack together.

Day 2: Snowflake CookieYou will need: sugar cookie dough, snowflake cookie cutter, white

frosting, colored sugar and baking sheet

Use premade cookie dough sheets and have each student press the cookie cutter into the dough. Bake the cookies and once they have cooled, set up

a station so students can spread frosting and sprinkle colored sugar on their cookie.

Day 3: Marshmallow SnowmanYou will need: 3 large marshmallows per child, tube of white icing, 3 Mini M&M’s per child, red skinny licorice, 1

toothpick per child, 1 pretzel stick per child and 1 Hershey’s kiss per child

Students will put icing on both ends of a marshmallow and use the toothpick to hold all three marshmallows together. Each child will need 3 mini

M&M’s and will put 3 dots of icing on the marshmallow man to make his buttons. Break the

pretzel stick in half for the arms and stick into marshmallow man. The kiss will be placed on the top as a hat with icing. Wrap the licorice around

the head as a scarf for the snowman.

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Winter Thematic UnitCorresponding Snack Index

Day 4: Oreo PenguinYou will need: 1 Oreo per child, 1 Hershey Kiss per child, 2 pieces of candy

corn per child, 2 Mini M&M’s per child, white frosting

Twist the Oreo apart. Cut in half the part without icing. Unwrap the kiss and push the flat part into the frosting of the Oreo. You may need to add more frosting to help it stick. Take the two halves of the other piece and place on frosting with curved sides facing the center. You may need to

add more frosting. Put the candy corn towards the bottom to make feet. Eyes can be added with Mini M&M’s and frosting.

Day 5: Hot CocoaBring in hot cocoa mix for students to try. Make sure to not make it too

hot. Students will get a Dixie cup to try the hot cocoa in. You may bring in marshmallows for students to put in their hot cocoa.

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Winter Thematic UnitExtensions Index

Math Extensions1. Mitten measurement is a math extension. It's a fun activity for

students to see how long their mitten is with different things used to measure such as pennies, cotton balls, and a ruler.

*Find worksheets at http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/the_mitten.html

2. Practice estimating using marshmallows.

3. Complete a yes/no graph to "Have you ever thrown a snowball?" or any other questions that relates to the winter theme.

4. Discuss symmetry and create symmetrical designs on a pair of paper mittens. They place the mittens side by side (left mitten on the left, right mitten on the right). Whatever design they place on the left mitten, they

must reproduce on the right.

Movement ExtensionA movement extension would be a class sledding party. Find a hill nearby

and have students bring sleds and saucers.

Center IdeasFine-motor center: perforate a snowflake, trace snowman,

scribble art snowflake, scribble art snowman

Art: paper snowman, puffy snow painting, cookie cutter, printmaking

Construction/Blocks Center: build structures using toothpicks and marshmallows (or packing peanuts or

styrofoam balls, etc.)

Journal Starters*In the winter, I can see....

*In the winter, I wear…*Winter is…

*Draw a snowman

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http://www.thekcrew.net/scribbleart.html

http://www.thekcrew.net/scribbleart.html

http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/the_mitten.html


Journal Starters Continued *Draw icicles.

*What do you like to do in the winter?*What do you like to eat in the winter?

*Draw an animal hibernating in the winter.*Draw geese migrating for the winter.

*Draw Jack Frost creating a wintery scene

Additional BooksFroggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London

*Kids LOVE Froggy books and this is a great one to act out. After reading the story, students work in committees to make the winter clothes for a "life-sized" Froggy. Then

they label each article of clothing using transitional/conventional spelling and meet together in the circle. Discuss/read each label (adding correct spelling below if necessary). Then reread the story allowing students to dress Froggy as the story goes. All these props

can then be placed in the Storytelling Center .

White Snow, Bright Snow by Alvin Tresselt

Is That You, Winter? by Stephen Gammell*Students create their own winter scene. First they use crayons to draw the picture. Then they use a toothbrush and white paint to spatter "snow" all over it, creating an

illustration similar to those in the book. Students write captions for their winter scenes.

Time to Sleep by Denise Fleming*

Sleepy Bear by Lydia Dadcovich*

Wake Me in Spring by James Preller*

Good Night, Bear! Joanne Mattern*

The Happy Day by Ruth Krauss*

Animals In Winter Henrietta Bancroft & Richard G. VanGelder**

Honk! Honk! by Mick Manning & Brita Granstrom**

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Goodbye Geese by Nancy White Carlstrom**

Amy Loves the Snow by Julia Hoban

My Favorite Time of Year by Susan Pearson

Emily and the Snowflake by Jan WahlStudents create paper snowflakes by folding paper circles in half, then in thirds, and then snipping shapes and wavy lines out of them. This reinforces the "uniqueness" of

each snowflake!Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

*This book has such wonderful descriptive phrases! If you can get the tape or video, show it! The narration is spell-binding (on par with The Polar Express!). It's always fun to ask the class whether they think the main character is a boy or a girl, since the book

gives no clues.

Here Comes the Snow by Angela Shelf Medearis*Do "magic snow pictures" after reading books about snow. Each student gets a

piece of paper (any kind will do- manila, copy paper, computer paper, etc. ) and folds it in half vertically (like a book). Then he/she "colors" half of the sheet with white

chalk. (When folded the chalk-side should be on the inside.) Next he will tuck a half-sheet of blue construction paper in the folded chalk paper... and use a pencil to draw a winter scene on the outside paper. When it's opened the chalk has transferred the design to the blue page! (It works like NCR paper or carbon paper and the kids will

want to do it again and again!)

Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton

Snow on Snow on Snow by Cheryl Chapman

Geraldine's Big Snow by Holly Keller

Snow by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

Snow Day by Barbara M. Joosse*Use all the paper in our recycling can to make "snowballs". Then, if

possible, take chairs and our snowballs to the gym. We line them up in two "forts" facing each other and start lobbing snowballs at the

other side! “Reload" at least 10 times before cleaning up and heading back to the room to write about the experience!

Snow Child by Freya Littledale*When you’re done reading as a class list things in the book which

seemed like a story pattern (similar to other stories) and things which puzzled the class. This is great for developing better comprehension

as well as critical thinking skills.

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The Jacket I Wear in the Snow by Shirley Neitzel*This is a great rebus story! The kids will want to read it again and again. As a response to this

story, students are given a paper divided into 8 boxes. These incomplete words are in the boxes: _ittens, _ong _ohns, _acket, _carf, _oots, _weater, _loves, _ants. Students will

complete the initial letter and illustrate in each box.

Snow by Uri Shulevitz

The First Snowfall by Anne and Harlow Rockwell

Winter Rabbit by Patrick Yee

Little Penguin's Tale by Audrey Wood

Antarctica by Helen Cowcher

Let's Go Home Little Bear by Martin Waddell

Do Like Kyla by Angela Johnson

Skating on Thin Ice by Louise Everett*Give each student 2 wax paper "skates," turn on "The Skater's Waltz," and have a blast

twirling and skating around the rooms.

Mrs. Toggle's Zipper by Robin Pulver

*After reading one, some, or all of these discuss the concept of hibernation. Most children are surprised that lots of other animals (besides bears!) hibernate during the winter. To depict how long these animals

really hibernate. Build a "cave," and students' stuffed bears go in until spring!

**These books are about migration, of course. Try acting this out on the playground, honking and

flapping in "V" formation. Just like geese, take turns leading the flock from one side of the playground to

the other. You can also have students "honk" encouragement to the leader. It creates a very

memorable experience!

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Art Extensions1. Following Directions (Building a Snowman). Students will listen to follow directions they will be given the handout with 3 blank snowmen

on it. The teacher will give directions such as “Draw a hat on the snowman on the right”, and so on.

*Building a Snowman Worksheet Attached

2. Animal Prints. The teacher will fill a plastic container with snow and draw animal prints in the snow. The teacher will have pictures of each

animal that he/she drew prints for and the students will try to guess which animal made which prints.

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Following Directions with Snowmen

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Winter Thematic UnitResources

http://familyfun.go.com/ http://familyfun.go.com/ http://library.thinkquest.org/J001423/ http://twosnowflakes.net/ http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/the_mitten.html http://www.enchantedlearning.com/books/holiday/winter/mitten/ http://www.thekcrew.net/winter.html http://www.kinderplans.com/content.cfm?pageid=177 http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/Themes/Winter/

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http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/Themes/Winter/

http://www.kinderplans.com/content.cfm?pageid=177

http://www.thekcrew.net/winter.html

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/books/holiday/winter/mitten/

http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/the_mitten.html

http://twosnowflakes.net/

http://familyfun.go.com/

http://familyfun.go.com/

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