Since I live in Georgia, my students have never seen snow. Reading something like The Snowy Day allows them to see the snow without the cold. This Snowy Day lesson plan will give you an easy routine and activity. The addition of a snowy video on the smartboard just helps the atmosphere.
Materials:
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Novel Effect
Crayons
Pattern for Snowglobe
CardStock
Plastic plates
Elmer’s Liquid Glue
Cotton Balls
Makeup pads
Hot Glue Gun/Glue (Be careful it gets HOT!)
Glitter (if desired)
Standards Framework:
I. INQUIRE Build new knowledge by inquiring, thinking critically, identifying problems, and developing strategies for solving problems.
V. EXPLORE Discover and innovate in a growth mindset developed through experience and reflection.
Procedure for Snowy Day Lesson Plan:
- Prior to class, copy the Pattern for Snowglobe onto the cardstock, one for each student.
- Normal welcome procedure (mine follows, but use your own):
- Hallway greeting
- Send to story rug
- 2 yoga poses
- Settle the class on the story rug
- Talk about snow (my students have never seen snow so we discussed what they thought it was like and then I gave some real world experience).
- Read The Snowy Day with Novel Effects
- During reading, make sure to stop, pause, question. I had my students identify things, count footprints, predict what would happen, etc.
- After reading, give each student a copy of Pattern for Snowglobe printed on cardstock. Have them write their name somewhere outside the globe.
- Have the students draw a “snowy” scene within the globe. I gave mine directions to draw an image or idea from the story. Use the Elmer’s glue to stick cotton balls and makeup pads to create “snow” within the globes. **Note, make sure that they don’t allow the cotton to puff up too much or the covers won’t fit.
- When they’ve finished their pictures, take the globes, spread a little glitter in the globe and then use the hot glue to glue the plate over it to form a dome.
- Once dry, hang them up or send them home with the students.
