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Snow Paintings
Subjects
- Arts & Humanities
--Visual Arts
Grade
- Pre K
- K-2
- 3-5
Brief Description
Fun winter activity: students use a water/food coloring mixture to paint on snow.
Objectives
Students
- consider many possible subjects for their snow paintings.
- work successfully and creatively with a new medium (water-and-food-coloring "paints").
- learn about how new colors form when primary colors are mixed (optional).
Keywords
painting, art, snow, winter, color
Materials Needed
- snow
- water bottles with squirt nozzles/sprayers
- food coloring (variety of colors)
- water
Lesson Plan
Snow is a prerequisite for this simple activity, so it can only be done in a cold climate or as part of a warm-climate "snow fair" in which snow is made or trucked in.
The activity is simple: Prepare the "paint" (food coloring in water -- see Materials Needed above) in squirt bottles and provide a canvas (a patch of snow) for each student and let them use the squirt colors to paint their pictures.
You might:
- allow students to paint free-form (anything they wish) or you might have them create a simple design or picture on paper before "painting" it on the snow canvas. If you have students design their snow paintings in advance, let them know the color choices they will have so their designs match the food-coloring "paints" that are available. You might even limit students' designs/paintings to three or four colors.
- connect the students' snow paintings to the curriculum. If you are studying community helpers, ask them make a snow painting of one of their community's helpers. If students are studying dinosaurs, let them "snow paint" their favorite dino
- take the opportunity to teach students about how they can mix colors to make other colors. For example, red and yellow food coloring mixed together make orange; blue and yellow food coloring together make green. (You can learn more about the principle of Additive Color.)
Assessment
Did students enjoy the activity?Lesson Plan Source
EducationWorld.com
Submitted By
Gary Hopkins
National Standards
FINE ARTS: Visual Arts
GRADES K - 4
NA-VA.K-4.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes
NA-VA.K-4.3 Choosing and Evaluating A Range of Subject Matter, Symbols, and Ideas
GRADES 5 - 8
NA-VA.5-8.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes
NA-VA.5-8.3 Choosing and Evaluating A Range of Subject Matter, Symbols, and Ideas
See more Lesson Plans of the Day in our Lesson Plan of the Day Archive. (There you can search for lessons by subject too.) For additional lessons in the arts, see these Education World resources:
Education World®
Copyright© 2010 Education World
Originally published 01/10/2006
Last updated 12/10/2010
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You've reached the end of another grading period, and what could be more daunting than the task of composing insightful, original, and unique comments about every child in your class? The following positive statements will help you tailor your comments to specific children and highlight their strengths.
You can also use our statements to indicate a need for improvement. Turn the words around a bit, and you will transform each into a goal for a child to work toward. Sam cooperates consistently with others becomes Sam needs to cooperate more consistently with others, and Sally uses vivid language in writing may instead read With practice, Sally will learn to use vivid language in her writing. Make Jan seeks new challenges into a request for parental support by changing it to read Please encourage Jan to seek new challenges.
Whether you are tweaking statements from this page or creating original ones, check out our Report Card Thesaurus [see bottom of the page] that contains a list of appropriate adjectives and adverbs. There you will find the right words to keep your comments fresh and accurate.
We have organized our 100 report card comments by category. Read the entire list or click one of the category links below to jump to that list.
AttitudeBehaviorCharacterCommunication SkillsGroup WorkInterests and TalentsParticipationSocial SkillsTime ManagementWork Habits
Attitude
The student:
is an enthusiastic learner who seems to enjoy school.
exhibits a positive outlook and attitude in the classroom.
appears well rested and ready for each day's activities.
shows enthusiasm for classroom activities.
shows initiative and looks for new ways to get involved.
uses instincts to deal with matters independently and in a positive way.
strives to reach their full potential.
is committed to doing their best.
seeks new challenges.
takes responsibility for their learning.
Behavior
The student:
cooperates consistently with the teacher and other students.
transitions easily between classroom activities without distraction.
is courteous and shows good manners in the classroom.
follows classroom rules.
conducts themselves with maturity.
responds appropriately when corrected.
remains focused on the activity at hand.
resists the urge to be distracted by other students.
is kind and helpful to everyone in the classroom.
sets an example of excellence in behavior and cooperation.
Character
The student:
shows respect for teachers and peers.
treats school property and the belongings of others with care and respect.
is honest and trustworthy in dealings with others.
displays good citizenship by assisting other students.
joins in school community projects.
is concerned about the feelings of peers.
faithfully performs classroom tasks.
can be depended on to do what they are asked to do.
seeks responsibilities and follows through.
is thoughtful in interactions with others.
Communication Skills
The student:
has a well-developed vocabulary.
chooses words with care.
expresses ideas clearly, both verbally and through writing.
has a vibrant imagination and excels in creative writing.
has found their voice through poetry writing.
uses vivid language in writing.
writes clearly and with purpose.
writes with depth and insight.
can make a logical and persuasive argument.
listens to the comments and ideas of others without interrupting.
Group Work
The student:
offers constructive suggestions to peers to enhance their work.
accepts the recommendations of peers and acts on them when appropriate.
is sensitive to the thoughts and opinions of others in the group.
takes on various roles in the work group as needed or assigned.
welcomes leadership roles in groups.
shows fairness in distributing group tasks.
plans and carries out group activities carefully.
works democratically with peers.
encourages other members of the group.
helps to keep the work group focused and on task.
Interests and Talents
The student:
has a well-developed sense of humor.
holds many varied interests.
has a keen interest that has been shared with the class.
displays and talks about personal items from home when they relate to topics of study.
provides background knowledge about topics of particular interest to them.
has an impressive understanding and depth of knowledge about their interests.
seeks additional information independently about classroom topics that pique interest.
reads extensively for enjoyment.
frequently discusses concepts about which they have read.
is a gifted performer.
is a talented artist.
has a flair for dramatic reading and acting.
enjoys sharing their musical talent with the class.
Participation
The student:
listens attentively to the responses of others.
follows directions.
takes an active role in discussions.
enhances group discussion through insightful comments.
shares personal experiences and opinions with peers.
responds to what has been read or discussed in class and as homework.
asks for clarification when needed.
regularly volunteers to assist in classroom activities.
remains an active learner throughout the school day.
Social Skills
The student:
makes friends quickly in the classroom.
is well-liked by classmates.
handles disagreements with peers appropriately.
treats other students with fairness and understanding.
is a valued member of the class.
has compassion for peers and others.
seems comfortable in new situations.
enjoys conversation with friends during free periods.
chooses to spend free time with friends.
Time Management
The student:
tackles classroom assignments, tasks, and group work in an organized manner.
uses class time wisely.
arrives on time for school (and/or class) every day.
is well-prepared for class each day.
works at an appropriate pace, neither too quickly or slowly.
completes assignments in the time allotted.
paces work on long-term assignments.
sets achievable goals with respect to time.
completes make-up work in a timely fashion.
Work Habits
The student:
is a conscientious, hard-working student.
works independently.
is a self-motivated student.
consistently completes homework assignments.
puts forth their best effort into homework assignments.
exceeds expectations with the quality of their work.
readily grasps new concepts and ideas.
generates neat and careful work.
checks work thoroughly before submitting it.
stays on task with little supervision.
displays self-discipline.
avoids careless errors through attention to detail.
uses free minutes of class time constructively.
creates impressive home projects.
Report Card Thesaurus
Looking for some great adverbs and adjectives to bring to life the comments that you put on report cards? Go beyond the stale and repetitive With this list, your notes will always be creative and unique.
Adjectives
attentive, capable, careful, cheerful, confident, cooperative, courteous, creative, dynamic, eager, energetic, generous, hard-working, helpful, honest, imaginative, independent, industrious, motivated, organized, outgoing, pleasant, polite, resourceful, sincere, unique
Adverbs
always, commonly, consistently, daily, frequently, monthly, never, occasionally, often, rarely, regularly, typically, usually, weekly
Updated: 2/6/2017
Learning grammar has been compared to other fun things, like having teeth pulled or being assigned detention. But it needn't be a painful experience with these five lessons that help teach grammar without the hammer! Included: Five fun activities.
Teaching the yearly grammar unit can be like giving a child cough medicine. Some students take it without flinching; others- those with a mental block about grammar- flinch at the mere mention of the word.
Teaching grammar has to be one of toughest tasks a teacher faces. We all know that grammar skills are essential to students' success on standardized tests and college entrance exams, in their ability to communicate orally and in writing, and in nearly all other areas of life! So the more fun we can have with grammar—and the more varied approaches we can use to teach it—the more likely our students are to 'get it.'
This week, Education World is offering a handful of lesson ideas to help you lighten up with grammar. These lessons help you lessen the pain, if you will.
FIVE LESSONS FOR TEACHING GRAMMAR
Click each of the five lesson headlines below for a complete teaching resource. (Appropriate grade levels for each lesson appear in parentheses.)
Synonym Scramble
A fun activity reinforces synonyms and builds vocabulary skills. (Grades K-12)
Verb-Adverb Charades
Verbs and adverbs take center stage in this lively activity. (Grades 3-8)
Proper Noun Gallery Walk Activity
A gallery walk activity helps reinforce the concept of proper nouns. (Grades 3-12)
Pair Editing
Students share their edits and then edit solo. Two humorous work are also sheets included. (Grades 3-8)
Parts-of-Speech Tall Tales
Kids write their own fill-in-the-blank tall tales. (Grades K-12)
Great Grammar!
Do you use Education World's Every-Day Edits to reinforce students' grammar, punctuation, and spelling skills? We offer a weekly activity for primary grade students and daily practice for students in grades 3-up. Daily practice and reinforcement are sure to improve your students' test scores, so check out our Every-Day Edits today.
See these additional resources from Education World for links to more great grammar!
* Language Arts Work Sheet Library
* Good Grief, It's Grammar Time!
* 'Every Day' Activities: Language
Check out these articles on everything from preparing for the first day to dealing with homework woes, coping as a new teacher and ensuring smooth sailing for substitute teachers.
Be sure to explore our 12 volumes of icebreakers and first day of school activities that help students and teachers get to know each other.
Classroom Icebreaker Activities
Preparing For The First Day
Ideas For All Year
The Homework Dilemma
For First-Year Teachers Only!
Don't Forget The Substitute Teacher
More Great Ideas For The New School Year
Back To School Templates
Icebreakers Archive | Classroom Icebreaker Activities
Best of the IcebreakersVolume 1: Tell Me About You ActivitiesVolume 2: 14 Activities for the First Days of SchoolVolume 3: Engaging Activities for the First Days of SchoolVolume 4: Activities for the First Day of SchoolVolume 5: All-About-You Activities for the First Days of SchoolVolume 6: Get to Know Your Classmates ActivitiesVolume 7: Getting to Know One AnotherVolume 8: Who's in the Classroom?Volume 9: My Classmates and MeVolume 10: Back-to-School ActivitiesVolume 11: More Fresh Ideas for Opening DayVolume 12: Excellent Activities for Getting Students Warmed Up
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IDEAS FOR ALL YEAR
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Following Directions: A Skill Worth Teaching
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Ten Games for Classroom Fun!
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Buy the book of worksheets to accompany this article.
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Students Rule With 'Design Your Own Homework'
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FOR FIRST-YEAR TEACHERS ONLY!
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Many teachers believe reading aloud enhances classroom instruction and improves academic achievement -- and recent research supports their belief. Included: Education World talks with Jim Trelease, author of The Read-Aloud Handbook.
How to Thrive -- Not Just Survive -- in a One-Computer Classroom
Education World explores strategies experienced teachers use to help them turn their one computer into a dynamic, creative teaching tool.
A Dozen Activities to Promote Parent Involvement!
Research shows that children are more likely to succeed academically and are less likely to engage in violent behavior if their families are involved in their education. Included: A dozen activities to promote parental involvement and ten tips for involved parents.
Reading Aloud -- Are Students Ever Too Old?
Do you read aloud to your students? Is there ever a time when students are too old to be read to? Many teachers are firm believers in reading aloud -- even at the high school and college levels!
Getting Started on the Internet: Add Your Name to a Listserv -- Today!
Every teacher should join a listserv. Listservs offer a quick and easy way to connect with teachers around the world. Included: Links to hundreds of listservs for educators.
Students Reach for the 'Skylights' of Learning
Educator Brenda Dyck writes about her efforts to challenge students to use more thinking skills at the higher levels of Bloom's taxonomy. Included: A bulletin board in Dyck's classroom reminds students of the higher-level thinking skills they should strive to use!
The School Day: It's Not a Race; Let's Change the Pace!
In his latest book, Time to Teach, Time to Learn, Chip Wood takes a serious look at the frenetic pace of teaching and learning. He offers dozens of suggestions for refocusing on what's really important during the school day.
Fab Friday: Fun and Games That Make a Difference!
Three Fridays each year, Freeport (Maine) Middle School closes its textbooks and opens its doors to a different kind of learning. Students and teachers share exciting "Fab Friday" hobbies and activities and in the process learn to see one another in a whole new light.
Get Ready to Integrate Technology: Ten Tips!
The members of the Education World Tech Team offer advice to help your school take advantage of technology in the coming year. Included: Top ten list of tips to help you expand the ways you use technology.
Increase Parent Involvement With First Day of School Activities
Read about how schools across the nation -- in urban, rural, and suburban areas -- are breaking down barriers with parents and their communities by making the first day of school an exciting holiday with special activities that include everyone!
Establish a Computer Club: Big Benefits for Students and Staff
If you have thought about creating a computer club or Web club in your school, do not delay! Included: Teacher Marcia Cousins explains how her school's computer club comes to the aid of students, teachers, and the community!
Fund-Raising Ideas: Raise Money Without Selling Door-to-Door
How far would you go to raise needed funds? Would you kiss a pig? Organize a game of cow chip bingo? Paint Pepsi on your school roof? Some school districts are discovering -- or creating -- new ways to raise money.
School Bus Discipline: Solving the Problem
Is school bus discipline a problem in your school? Two school bus discipline policies available on the Web might serve as effective models.
Computer Rules Prevent Problems!
Student computer use often involves situations not covered by regular classroom rules -- and the rules those situations require might not occur to you ahead of time. Education World's Tech Team members share their rules with you.
Back to School Templates
Family Information Form Template
Five-Day Calendar Grid Template
Open-House Invitation Template
Rectangular Name Tags Template for primary students
Rectangular Name Tags Template for older students
Round Name Tags Template for primary students
Round Name Tags Template for older students
Seven-Day Calendar Grid Template
Student Profile Form Template
Volunteer Questionnaire Template
Welcome Letter Template
Syllabus Template
Conference Planner Template: Parental Concern Checklist
Conference Planner and Record Template: Teacher Version
Conference Reminder and Teacher-to-Parent Questionnaire Template
Failed Assignment Notification Template
Field Trip Permission Form Template
Good News Postcard Template (pdf only)
Good News Postcard Template #2 (pdf only)
Good News Postcard Template #2a (pdf only)
Midterm Report Template
Parent Communication Log Template
Last updated 9/19/16
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