Since returning from the break, we have had the opportunity to celebrate a new year and a new season--WINTER!
First, we talked about some of the things that we already knew--or thought we knew--about winter. Then we did a little learning with Pebble-Go, and it turns out, there was a lot we didn't know about the coldest season of the year! Did you know that some places only have warm weather--even in winter? Did you know that every snowflake has six sides, and if you look in the center you will find a hexagon? We learned a lot of really cool stuff, but we never could quite figure out why the temperature outside is getting warmer and warmer! You can read a little more about winter on your own here. (user name: colham password: ferry)
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Even though the temps around Colham Ferry have been more spring than winter like, we have still managed to have some cold weather fun!
After learning a little bit more about winter, we started thinking about all the special things that people can do in winter, and at the top of the list was to build a snowman! After reading several of Caralyn Buehner's books we began to love Snowmen At Night, Snowmen at Christmas, Snowmen At Work, and Snowmen All Year!
Caralyn Buehner used her imagination to create stories about all the things snowmen can do, so we tried using our imaginations to write some stories about the things that OUR snowmen like to do!
The list was wide and varied--we had snowmen throwing snowballs, playing soccer, swimming, and we even had one snowmen doing a handstand!
Next time you are at the library or book store, be on the lookout for Caralyn Buehner's snowmen books They are fun, entertaining, have great rhythm and rhyme, and are perfect for retelling! If you can't get to the bookstore, try listening to one of her stories here or here or here.
But we didn't stop there! After reading All You Need for a Snowman by Alice Schertle we decided to make our own snowmen!
Since there was no snow outside, we made our own snow dough inside!
Next we used our experiences building snow dough snowmen to help us write how to books that could teach others how to build a snowman. We practiced putting all our ideas in order and using the words first, next, then, and last to tell just how to build it.
We also tried a warm winter treat (hot chocolate) and cold winter treat (Snowcream).
It was a close call, but I think most people liked the hot chocolate the best! I think the whipped cream and marshmallow pushed the hot chocolate into the lead!
We even had a sight word snowball fight!
And..I have saved the messiest for last! We engineered with ice!!
We used different shaped ice cubes, salt, and our snow dough to build towers!
Everyone was really creative, but we had to work fast! That was some melty business!
If your family is looking for some winter fun, but the temperature is too warm for snow, try out our snow dough recipe.
Snow Dough
3 parts baking soda
1 part conditioner (That's right--plain old hair conidtioner)
**To make it even more authentic, put everything in the freezer first!**
