Snow

Core Learning Experience + Supplies and Equipment

  • ​This topic works well at the preschool level if there is actual snow to explore.
  • Play in it, throw it, melt it, roll in it, feel COLD, get a red nose, blow out steamy air, build a snow creature.
  •   Bring the snow inside and put it in the sensory box. Investigate with digging tools, containers, magnifiers, smell it, taste it.
  •    In an area with no snow, put some shaved ice in the sensory box to explore. Not as effective, but still fun.
  • Put some snow on a dish outdoors; at room temperature; in the fridge; heat some in a pot on the stove. Investigate time it takes each to melt completely. 

Possible/Expected Discoveries

  • ​In many areas, in the winter, it becomes cold enough for droplets of water up in the clouds to freeze, and fall to the ground as snow.
  • ·When the drops freeze, the form 6 sided crystals. If we could magnify them, we would see that the crystal shapes are all different, and beautiful.
  • When we touch snow, it feels very cold. Can you think of some other things that are cold? What do you think makes them feel cold? (ice, fridge, ice cream, some metal things, cement, nose, etc)
  • I wonder why the snow melted when we brought it inside; held it in our hand; licked it etc. What has to happen for snow to melt? Do you think it can change into snow again? Do you think it can freeze again? How?

Extended Learning and Other Curriculum Areas

  • ​​This topic could lead to an investigation of hibernation, other weather forms, and Arctic animals.
  • Story starter: I am a snowflake, sitting up in the sky in the middle of a cloud. It is almost time for me to…
  •  Snowflakes are very small, but there are many ways we can create big pretend snowflakes with paint, glue, glitter and other art materials.
  • Spray snow rainbow colors with diluted watercolors in spray bottles

Activity Packs and Printables

Websites

Books

​The Four Seasons:  Winter by Maria Ruis
I am Snow by Jean Marzollo
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Snow by Christine Ford
The First Snowfall by Anne and Harlow Rockwell
Snow Is Falling by Franklyn M. Branley
The Snowball by Jennifer Armstrong
Geraldine's Big Snow by Holly Keller