Back to Winter Wonderland Lesson Plan |
Let It Snow!
Subjects
Grade
Brief Description
Make the most of the season's first snowfall with a snowflake study!
Objectives
Students will
Keywords
snow, winter, snowflake
Lesson Plan
Take advantage of a "teachable moment" when the first snow falls in your town and show your students the amazing array of patterns snowflakes display. Introduce this activity by distributing white paper and scissors and asking students to create a snowflake. You may give simple instructions, but encourage the students to make their own unique designs. If you need a few snowflake samples to refresh your memory, check out the links below:
Once the snowflakes have been cut, have the students open them up and compare their shapes and sizes. How are the snowflakes similar and different? Discuss the students' findings. Like the students' snowflakes, real snowflakes are also unique. Share some snow facts:
Now put on coats and hats and go outdoors. Pass out pages of black paper for the students to use as "snowflake catchers" and magnifying glasses (if you choose). Have the students catch a few snowflakes in midair and compare them. Allow the students to compare their snowflakes with those of class members. As they investigate the snowflakes, ask them to count the sides of the flakes and identify any that appear to match. For a more in-depth study of snowflakes, your students may use microscopes and "save" snowflakes on slides with hair spray. How to Save Snowflakes has the details.
Upon wrapping up the outdoor activities, discuss the students' observations. How many sides did today's snowflakes have? How many students found similar flakes? How were they different?
Assessment
Assessment will be accomplished through observation of the student investigations and their participation in discussion.
Lesson Plan Source
Education World
Submitted By
Cara Bafile
National Standards
FINE ARTS: Visual Arts
GRADES K - 4
NA-VA.K-4.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes
NA-VA.K-4.2 Using Knowledge of Structures and Functions
NA-VA.K-4.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines
GRADES 5 - 8
NA-VA.5-8.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes
NA-VA.5-8.2 Using Knowledge of Structures and Functions
NA-VA.5-8.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines
SCIENCEGRADES K - 4
NS.K-4.1 Science as Inquiry
NS.K-4.4 Earth and Space Science
GRADES 5 - 8
NS.5-8.1 Science as Inquiry
NS.5-8.4 Earth and Space Science
See more winter lessons on Education Worlds Winter theme page.
Return to this weeks Winter Wonderland -- Lessons for Frosty Days! lesson plan page.
Updated: 1/13/2015
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